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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 15:58:05
Hi everyone. Need a little help,and haven't found much on the web. I got the Lamotrigine last time I went to get my script filled. Hadn't known they'd gone generic. I was a little freaked at first because Lamictal is my best buddy. Well I called my doc and he said that it was fine to take the generic, and that especially in the first 6 months, they're really strict about keeping the two very similar. Whatever that meant. Well I feel different. I'm usually either fine or bad. Now I'm kind of a spaced out and sad.
I know everyone's different and that it could be something else...but does anyone have any experience with this?
I love it when it's 5:00 on Friday when i need my pdoc.
Figures!Tia,
Karen
Posted by Quintal on August 15, 2008, at 16:43:27
In reply to Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 15:58:05
I started off on GSK Lamictal and got refills for generic for the last three months, and I couldn't tell any difference between the two. This seems to be more of a problem for some people than others. I would wait a month to see if there is any change over the longer term. This might just be a transitionary phase if your body is getting used to a different serum level. I read a study a few years ago comparing Lamictal to a generic, and the generic was found to produce a higher blood level.
Q
Posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 17:03:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by Quintal on August 15, 2008, at 16:43:27
Thanks, Quintal!
I'm annoyed because I'm going away and it's not the time for odd happenings.
Therapeutic is really high dose for me--i take over 675 mg/day..sometimes more. I can tell when the dose is too high because I get double vision. This just seems...different.
I'm rambling.Thanks again!
> I started off on GSK Lamictal and got refills for generic for the last three months, and I couldn't tell any difference between the two. This seems to be more of a problem for some people than others. I would wait a month to see if there is any change over the longer term. This might just be a transitionary phase if your body is getting used to a different serum level. I read a study a few years ago comparing Lamictal to a generic, and the generic was found to produce a higher blood level.
>
> Q
Posted by bleauberry on August 15, 2008, at 18:27:25
In reply to Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 15:58:05
I don't trust generics. That's all I can say. Some people are fine with them, but the archives are chockfull of people who weren't. My experiences with them have not been favorable.
Posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 18:30:02
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by bleauberry on August 15, 2008, at 18:27:25
Yeah. Thanks Bleau. Thing is, if it had been something like my prozac, i wouldn't worry so much. but as I said, Lamictal's my baby.
> I don't trust generics. That's all I can say. Some people are fine with them, but the archives are chockfull of people who weren't. My experiences with them have not been favorable.
Posted by fayeroe on August 15, 2008, at 18:47:24
In reply to Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 15:58:05
> Hi everyone. Need a little help,and haven't found much on the web. I got the Lamotrigine last time I went to get my script filled. Hadn't known they'd gone generic. I was a little freaked at first because Lamictal is my best buddy. Well I called my doc and he said that it was fine to take the generic, and that especially in the first 6 months, they're really strict about keeping the two very similar. Whatever that meant. Well I feel different. I'm usually either fine or bad. Now I'm kind of a spaced out and sad.
>
> I know everyone's different and that it could be something else...but does anyone have any experience with this?
>
> I love it when it's 5:00 on Friday when i need my pdoc.
> Figures!
>
> Tia,
> Karen
Karen, I didn't know that it has gone generic. Wow! I wonder what I got yesterday? It looks the same but I wonder if I've had generic all along?Hang in there..every med change does something to us...good or bad......
Let me know how it goes, okay? xoxox pat
Posted by bleauberry on August 15, 2008, at 19:57:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 18:30:02
> Yeah. Thanks Bleau. Thing is, if it had been something like my prozac, i wouldn't worry so much. but as I said, Lamictal's my baby.
Prozac. Ok. Check this out. My body tolerates Prozac well. It pooped out on me after years, but regardless, I tolerated it well. But generic, oh my. Within 3 days, tight painful calve muscles, cramps, wrist tendonitis, and finger tingling. Brand Prozac doesn't do that. What the FDA fails to consider is that with sick folks, there is likely a high incidence of being intolerant of many things that would normally be considered tame, like various fillers in pills. I was apparently reacting to something else in the generic capsule that the brand didn't have in it.
Also, brand prozac gave me a nice warm fuzzy stimulated feeling a few hours after dosing. The generic never did that. It instead felt heavy and lethargic.I think a law should be passed that all generics be of the same exact composition as the brand...fillers, dye for colors, gel material and thickness, pill coating, everything.
>
> > I don't trust generics. That's all I can say. Some people are fine with them, but the archives are chockfull of people who weren't. My experiences with them have not been favorable.
>
>
Posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 22:09:22
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help! » chicklet, posted by fayeroe on August 15, 2008, at 18:47:24
>>> Karen, I didn't know that it has gone generic. Wow! I wonder what I got yesterday? It looks the same but I wonder if I've had generic all along?
My generic looks different but who knows...
> Hang in there..every med change does something to us...good or bad......Thanks dear. What bugs me about it is that it wasn't an intentional one! Grr. It probably would have been fine if i weren't so darn sensitive.
> Let me know how it goes, okay? xoxox pat
Thanks Pat!
>
Posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 22:15:17
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help! » chicklet, posted by bleauberry on August 15, 2008, at 19:57:32
>>But generic, oh my. Within 3 days, tight painful calve muscles, cramps, wrist tendonitis, and finger tingling.
:O !OMG!
>>there is likely a high incidence of being intolerant of many things that would normally be considered tame,haha, sorry but I read that as "lame" at first!
>>like various fillers in pills.
Very true. THat's a good point.
>> Also, brand prozac gave me a nice warm fuzzy stimulated feeling a few hours after dosing. The generic never did that. It instead felt heavy and lethargic.
Yup. I would just kinda like to know how my doc could just say "no, it's perfectly fine" for the Lamictal. How does anyone know, really? In the past, he's said that he didn't want me to have other generics. And who's telling him it's "fine"? Anyway, enough of that.
>>> I think a law should be passed that all generics be of the same exact composition as the brand...fillers, dye for colors, gel material and thickness, pill coating, everything.You're right.
Sigh.
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2008, at 0:31:37
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help! » bleauberry, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 22:15:17
I feel the biggest problem with getting name brand once a generic is out that the insurance won't pay for it. An exception I believe is that I'm on namebrand synthroid and endo won't let them change it to generic. Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on August 16, 2008, at 1:54:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help! » chicklet, posted by bleauberry on August 15, 2008, at 19:57:32
> > Yeah. Thanks Bleau. Thing is, if it had been something like my prozac, i wouldn't worry so much. but as I said, Lamictal's my baby.
>
> Prozac. Ok. Check this out. My body tolerates Prozac well. It pooped out on me after years, but regardless, I tolerated it well. But generic, oh my. Within 3 days, tight painful calve muscles, cramps, wrist tendonitis, and finger tingling. Brand Prozac doesn't do that. What the FDA fails to consider is that with sick folks, there is likely a high incidence of being intolerant of many things that would normally be considered tame, like various fillers in pills. I was apparently reacting to something else in the generic capsule that the brand didn't have in it.
> Also, brand prozac gave me a nice warm fuzzy stimulated feeling a few hours after dosing. The generic never did that. It instead felt heavy and lethargic.
>
> I think a law should be passed that all generics be of the same exact composition as the brand...fillers, dye for colors, gel material and thickness, pill coating, everything.
The reason they aren't and that can't be is because there still is a patent on file during the transition and generic companies can be challenged.If you've ever walked into a pharmacy I'm sure you've seen things like Imodium and say CVS loperamide together, and a little disclaimer "this product is not made by Janssen.... etc", or ibuprofen and "this is not made by the makers of Motrin...."
If they exactly duplicated it, there could be some legal challenge -- patents are sticky and wierd, especially these stupid method patents that have been passed lately, but anyhow... back to the subject -- that's why you can't have it exactly the same because in a number of cases the "real" drug is still being stamped, although most insurance companies will either not pay for the non-generic or charge you a hefty fee.
As for Lamictal being generic, I take lamotrigine now, its made by Teva, which is a pretty reliable and innovative company, but anyhow. If you're concerned, and you still have some "real" lamictal on hand, what I would do is alternate the pills until you have exhausted the old one.
It is a high dose and yes, one could say theoretically there could be a risk of seizures at that range but since you're not taking it for seizures that's pretty unlikely. For those who are, there are instructions for doctors to watch on transitions for AEDs which become generic. A number of AEDs are already generic in the first place and have been for years.
People will argue about the effectiveness of generic drugs and that's fine -- everyone is entitled to an opinion, but on the whole, if this country (US) is worried about rising drug prices, I would think one would want a cheaper alternative. They do have to submit NDAs just like regular drugs and have the FDA review them.
-- tidingsJay
Posted by fayeroe on August 16, 2008, at 8:43:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help! » bleauberry, posted by yxibow on August 16, 2008, at 1:54:07
Posted by dbc on August 16, 2008, at 15:28:45
In reply to If it works, it can be generic! $$$$$ (nm) » yxibow, posted by fayeroe on August 16, 2008, at 8:43:39
I havent noticed any difference. Im suspecting its more of a psychosomatic thing.
Out of the many drugs i've tried the only one that had a true difference as far as content was dexedrine. Malinkrodt make the superior brand and even supply the brand name with their d-amp. The barr and various other version were subpar in comparison. Theres hundreds of personal account about this also "oh the malinkrodt seems to strong for me" etc.
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2008, at 20:24:27
In reply to Re: If it works, it can be generic! $$$$$, posted by dbc on August 16, 2008, at 15:28:45
Greenstone xanax is the only one that ever worked for me. Pharmacist asked me why I was spending all that money on brand name that same manufacturer of real xanax also made the Greenstone. Another poster here got the greenstone and also noticed a huge difference also As her insurance quit paying for brandname and other generics were not working. Phillipa
Posted by blueboy on August 17, 2008, at 10:10:52
In reply to Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by chicklet on August 15, 2008, at 15:58:05
I finally got my prescription filled with generic lamotrigine. It cost EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT as the Lamictal.
I guess the manufacturer thinks it will make a ton of money from insurance companies that require a generic if available. I hope they figure out this loophole soon, it's ridiculous.
Posted by Phillipa on August 17, 2008, at 20:12:41
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by blueboy on August 17, 2008, at 10:10:52
Oh wow how unfair is that? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on August 18, 2008, at 1:15:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal gone generic- help!, posted by blueboy on August 17, 2008, at 10:10:52
> I finally got my prescription filled with generic lamotrigine. It cost EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT as the Lamictal.
>
> I guess the manufacturer thinks it will make a ton of money from insurance companies that require a generic if available. I hope they figure out this loophole soon, it's ridiculous.That's odd -- its probably just your insurance company (if you're in the US).... they vary so widely and oh, don't get me started on universal coverage....
Its usually in the insurance company's interest to negotiate a lower drug price though for a generic... as for passing it on to you, well... I can't speak for them
Posted by yxibow on August 18, 2008, at 1:17:25
In reply to Re: If it works, it can be generic! $$$$$, posted by dbc on August 16, 2008, at 15:28:45
> I havent noticed any difference. Im suspecting its more of a psychosomatic thing.
I was going to say the same thing about generics but I hesitated because some people are truly sensitive and its not just thinking about the medication. However, the overwhelming vast majority of people will transition fine.
Posted by yxibow on August 18, 2008, at 1:20:50
In reply to Re: If it works, it can be generic! $$$$$, posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2008, at 20:24:27
> Greenstone xanax is the only one that ever worked for me. Pharmacist asked me why I was spending all that money on brand name that same manufacturer of real xanax also made the Greenstone. Another poster here got the greenstone and also noticed a huge difference also As her insurance quit paying for brandname and other generics were not working. Phillipa
Yes you've discovered the little known secret that Greenstone is a subsidiary of Pfizer, so gabapentin at one point was majorly made generic by Greenstone and I wouldn't be surprised of the quality line from theirs for Xanax. Now you have to remember that Xanax was introduced in 1981? 84? and was the last benzodiazepine. There are tons of generic companies.
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2008, at 20:02:27
In reply to Re: If it works, it can be generic! $$$$$ » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on August 18, 2008, at 1:20:50
It was a great pharmacist. I am going to another pharmacy and he only charged me $l0 for 120 of greenstone xanax. The big chains wouldn't order it this guy did and for less money than had paid for the others as benzos are not covered by medicaire. Phillipa
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