Generic Lamital - Epilepsy Message Board

Lola~ · 08-27-2003, 05:52 PM

Hi Everybody,
Just wanted to let everybody know that the new generic version of Lamital that's out, DON'T GET IT!!
I hadn't had a seizure for 3 years and I started taking the generic version cuz here in Canada it's a federal law that when generic drugs become available that people be switched over, and I had a grand mal seizure, before this I only ever had partial complex seizures. I didn't know that this was probabaly the reason till I went to the Doctor I see every 6 months and he told me not to get the generic version because some of his other patients that were switched over had seizures, the last time I had seen him the generic version wasn't available so I didn't know the difference. So ya, don't get the generic kinda.

bleubird · 08-27-2003, 08:08 PM

I don't know how they do things there, but you should have your doctor make it known that you should stay on the actual name brand. My doctors strongly disagree about the generics because they are allowed to have so much error and be "ok" so you may have your actual dose one time... be under the next........ and too much after that.

Good Luck

couldbeworsaspose · 08-28-2003, 01:13 PM

Hi,
There has been a lot of discussion at the British epilepsy bulletin board,about parallel imports,especially from Spain.It turns out that there is a weight difference between Lamictal and lamotrigine.they both have the same ammount of main ingredients but the imported drug has added ingredients.People have reported break through siezures,and the only link they have found is the use of generic lamotrigine.I take Lamictal,and was prescribed Lamictal,they tried to change it to Lamotrigine,but I complained to the pharmacist,and I was told they issued Lamotrigine because It was cheaper.I told my doc and he said there is nothing wrong with Lamotrigine,if you have been prescribed it since diagnosed.somebody on the board had told their doctor that they don't see why they should have to live with the threat of a siezure (if they are controled)just because it was cheaper to supply these drugs.There was also an article about it in Epilepsy Today magazine,so I took said article to my doc and pharmacist,and now I am on their computer to be issued Lamictal only.The debate continues....
Garry

Lola~ · 08-28-2003, 05:55 PM

ya he wrote it on the perscription not to give me generic.

Lola~ · 08-28-2003, 05:58 PM

Garry, I wanna know can you drink alcohol while on Lamictal? I mean I know that it would be a small amount if you could, but I was just wondering.