Trileptal and the Generic
 

Hi all, I'm new here after reading up on my TLE again (left lobe; most likely caused by a ping pong paddle to the temple as a kid). First, I am not having any symptoms right now and have been episode free for almost three years. I had my first in fall 2002 and another in spring 2006.

Trileptal seems to work for me in my case. However, many times now when I go to get my prescriptions filled the pharamcists will try to put me on the generic trileptal. My doc has told me he doesn't want to change to the generic yet just to confirm it doesn't have any "obsorption differences".

As health costs are high, has anyone heard how long the generic trileptal has been out and if it works well? I most likely won't switch until I learn more and talk to the doc again. In my case, I don't know if the doc really is researching it or not.

I must admit I did go a month on the generics by accident once when the pharamcist first automatically put me on the generic. It was only one month though as I noticed and asked my doc about it. Obviously the costs are very different between the two.

Hi Mark,
Welcome to the forum I've had right TLE for 37 yrs. now and I've been on Trileptal which is very similar to Tegretol. Everyone is different but I found that the generic form didn't work as well for me as the brand name and my pharmacist told me that he felt the brand name was much stronger than the generic brain. One thing I will tell you that's very important and that is don't eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking trileptal because the enzymes in the fruit can mess up the drug and lead to seizures. Also if you ever need to get a antibiotic for anything be very careful because some antibiotics can make trileptal become toxic and that's no fun. My family Dr. gave me an antibiotic and it caused the Trileptal to become so toxic I couldn't even stand up on my own and I was down in bed four days. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Trilepta
 

I'm about to switch from Trileptal to the generic version due to my insurance not covering the name brand. I haven't went back to see the Dr. to ask these questions as my co-pay is $50 that is to much for me. I'm not sure if I need to do anything special? I was planning on changing the meds before my evening dose, any suggestions?

Welcome stacysweets. :Wave-Hello:

Hi Staceysweets,

Welcome to the forum! My advice to you is to speak to your Dr. about going off the Trileptal to the generic and to get good detail about the drugs speak with your pharmacist, I have found they know much more about meds than some Drs. do. Whatever you do change drugs slowly and stay away from grapefruit or grapefruit juice because the enzymes in the grapefruit can mess up the trileptal. Here's wishing you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Might want to get your metabolites checked before you switch so if there is an absorption problem, docmight be able to adjust the dosage based on what worked before.

Nice to meet you!!