Generic Lamictal

Submitted by Generic Lamictal on August 10, 2008 - 4:05am. Generic Lamictal Generic Lamictal is used in combination with other anti-seizure drugs in the treatment of seizures.

[KarenB]

Have been on Lamictal for 2 years at the same dosage. I have no problems to report.
However, I just started the generic Lamotrigine at the same dosage three day ago and had definite spaciness on my drive to work this a.m. including a dangerous turn into the wrong way of a road that I travel everyday. These are the same symtoms experienced when in gradually starting Lamictal I reached too high a dosage.
Lamotrigine was taken at the same time, at the same dosage after breakfast, exactly the same routine as with Lamictal.
If there is a difference in potency or effect when starting Lamotrigine, this must be reported.
Patients experiencing these same effects may be placing themselves at an increased risk when driving or operating machinery.
-Karen

[KelliP]

My husband just started lamotrigine a few days ago too after taking Lamictal for several years, for seizures. I was concerned about the switch so he has agreed not to drive for a few months to be absolutely certain that the generic would control it the same as before. Luckily he has never been dependent on driving. He works a few block away and never drives to work anyway. He called today and said he felt more tired than usual so hopefully it is not a sign of more to come.
I am glad to find a place where people can sound off about this because it seems there isn't alot of real time lamotrigine info out there right now. Can anyone direct me where to find some? Kelli

[scott NH]

Hi, I was just given the generic lamictal a few days ago after taking the brand name for 3 or more years. It was not good, i had blurred vision, i was very very tired and sore, and my mood and temper changed for the worst. I just went back to the pharmacy and told them i wanted the name brand back. they gave it to me.

[JDC]

My wife just started with Teva's Lamotrigine after 4-5 years of Lamictal (1000 mg per day). She also takes Keppra, which is soon going to be avaiable in generic. We are concerned and are monitoring blood levels before, during transitional time and two weeks after the switch.
I will reply with results and hope others will too.
Does anyone have any other different effects good or bad?

[Susie]

I've been on brand name lamictal for 2 years to keep seizures under control. My pharmacist assures me there is not difference between brand name and generial lamictal. That little voice that we all have inside our heads, keeps telling me to check with my neurologist before taking the generic. After reading others testimonies I know why I had a neagging aprehensive feeling about the generic. Now I'm definetly checking with my doctor given the fact I've reached a point where the dosage is pretty much regulated Thank you all for your imput.

[DRA]

I've been taking generic lamictal for 3 days now, after being on brand name lamictal for a little over a year (200 mg a day). I haven't noticed any harmful effects. I do believe that each medication is different for everyone, and it also depends on what you take it for. I take it for something other than seizures, so the effectiveness of the drug isn't life-threatening for me. If I notice a difference soon, I will call my doctor, but until then, I'm happy to pay $10 a month instead of $30!

[Diane]

My son has taken the non-generic lamictal for about a year; I forgot his meds when I went on vacation and a pharacist took pity on me. Everything was the same except for the generic lamictal that used instead and we had a frightening episode where his left side of his body went 'numb', he fell down and started crawling!I thought he was having a stroke! I did a strength test with his arms a short time later and he seemed ok, but I came home early to give him his non generic dose back until I can speak with his doc.

[LAH]

I'd been taking Lamictal for seizures for four years previous to trying the generic. I started taking the generic lamotrigine last week. My hair has started falling out. I wrote a letter to my neurologist about this. I enjoy the $8 co-pay compared to a $50 co-pay, so I hope this isn't a permanent symptom. I have started taking biotin, a B-vitamin, recommended by someone in another forum. I will post again later if I see a difference. I've thought about wearing hats or wigs, as I'm otherwise satisfied with my medication - so far. It could be a thyroid problem caused by lamotrigine, but this is a conclusion I've drawn with a minimal amount of research.

[kpo]

I too have taken lamictal for several years and decided to try the generic to savw a little money. My pharmacist assured me there was no difference between the lamictal and generic. I immediately started having a spacey, unbalanced feeling. My neuro had raised my dosage, and I thought that was the cause but it has been 2 weeks and my body should have adapted by now. I'm going back to lamictal

[Tate]

I recently was switched to the generic form of Lamictal by my pharmacist a week ago. I have been on Lamictal for two years. Since I have been on the generic brand I have been extremely spacey and not quite right feeling. I have had a hard time making decisions and concentrating. My appetite has increased dramatically over the past week. I called the pharmacist and she told me it may be the inactive ingredients that could be reacting to me. Well I have decided to call tomorrow and switch back because saving twenty bucks is not worth feeling like this. I never had this problem on the regular brand. If you have not switched to the generic brand yet then I would probably really consider not doing so.

[Carson]

KarenB wrote:

Have been on Lamictal for 2 years at the same dosage. I have no problems to report.
However, I just started the generic Lamotrigine at the same dosage three day ago and had definite spaciness on my drive to work this a.m. including a dangerous turn into the wrong way of a road that I travel everyday. These are the same symptoms experienced when in gradually starting Lamictal I reached too high a dosage.
Lamotrigine was taken at the same time, at the same dosage after breakfast, exactly the same routine as with Lamictal.
If there is a difference in potency or effect when starting Lamotrigine, this must be reported.
Patients experiencing these same effects may be placing themselves at an increased risk when driving or operating machinery.
-Karen

I agree. I have been on the generic brand of Lamictal for three weeks now and have had serious complications. I have been very sluggish and have had a hard time judging distance and speed. I feel very loopy and have had a hard time carrying a conversation because I get confused and cant think straight. I have been having sharp pains in my lower abdomen. I feel so tired all the time and have a hard time waking up. I sleep a lot harder than usual. It's scary how the pharmacists say the two drugs are the same yet everyone is having reactions. They need to be better informed about the complications between the two. I think the two drugs are different and people should be notified before switching.

[Joy]

I started taking Lamictal about 3 months ago for bi-polar symptoms. Started off with the gradual increase and just increased dosage from 100 to 150. With the increase, I also switched to the generic. I am tired, spacey, crabby, short, fragile, weepy and more depressed than with the lower dosage of the name brand. I also feel dizzy on occasion and have a hard time remembering if something really happened or if it was a dream or just a though. Very unsettling.

[Chris]

I switched from the brand name lamictal to the generic brand and have seen a drastic difference. I take it for bi polar depression and my symptoms have returned. I took the brand name for about 3 months and noticed my sytmptoms were improving. After 2 weeks on the generic my symptoms are getting worse again. I plan to switch back to the name brand even though it is more expensive. I really wished the generic would work, but it's not worth feeling the way I feel to save $30.

[Clark]

I've been taking Lamictal for about 9 months, ever since my diagnosis went from depression to bi-polarism. it has been a wonder drug for me and my family! I switched to the generic made by Teva a couple of weeks ago and soon noticed some changes in my mood and physical being. This might be related to increased job stress but whatever the reason, it doesn't feel good. GI discomfort, edginess, loss of strength and endurance, dull headache. Not unlike when I first went on anti-depressants. I will try switching back to Lamictal next week and see what happens. Any others out there with similar experiences?

[Stuart in Dallas]

Amazing. I was just speaking to a friend about my switch to the generic, and how I haven't felt well since taking it. I take it for bi-polar disorder. Lamictal worked very, very well. After taking the substitue, I've noticed my driving was horribly risky as well: I ran a red light and almost caused an accident on a busy intersection in the same outing. I teach an evening class and noticed my speech was very rapid and I've been irritable over the last three days of so. I've been on it for only a week, but I seriously have noticed my conditions worsening. I feel much better after reading all of your comments. Going back to Lamictal.
Regards

KarenB wrote:

Have been on Lamictal for 2 years at the same dosage. I have no problems to report.
However, I just started the generic Lamotrigine at the same dosage three day ago and had definite spaciness on my drive to work this a.m. including a dangerous turn into the wrong way of a road that I travel everyday. These are the same symtoms experienced when in gradually starting Lamictal I reached too high a dosage.
Lamotrigine was taken at the same time, at the same dosage after breakfast, exactly the same routine as with Lamictal.
If there is a difference in potency or effect when starting Lamotrigine, this must be reported.
Patients experiencing these same effects may be placing themselves at an increased risk when driving or operating machinery.
-Karen

[Betsy]

Whoa. I just picked up my Lamictal Rx and saw they gave me the generic. I called the pharmacy and went back to get it switched.The pharmacist gave me the song and dance about generics beinbg the same..blah,blah,blah. I said "just change it.'. Then I came home and googled and found this forum.I have been taking Lamictal for BP for over 10 years and NEVER want to mess with my meds. Lamictal ONLY! The BP is hard enough to deal with...Best of luck to all...

[Kristin]

Betsy and I must go to the same pharmacy. I've been happily on Lamictal (and totally seizure-free) for six years, and I wouldn't dream of changing meds. Yet tonight, when I opened the bottle I picked up from Long's today, there were strange diamond-shaped pills instead of my familiar shield shapes. I was about to take one -- they always say generics are exactly the same -- but then I decided to check it out online first. Thank goodness I found this site! I'm going back to exchange them tomorrow...and luckily I had some of my REAL Lamictal stashed to get me through tonight.
Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.

[sherri]

My daughter and I have been on Lamictal for years. She is 9 and takes 100mg. I take 150. She woke up yesterday with a severe side cramp on her right side under her ribs and going into her back that felt like a large bruise to her but when she moved it felt like a stabbing pain. She had also slept for 3 str8 days claiming her head didn't feel right. I started the generic 3 days after her. Today I woke up with the same pain on my right side. It is criooling. I took her to her primary dr yesterday thinking it was appendicitis. I did not make the connection til today that it could be the generic. It is the only change we have both made. I called the company and they seemed unconcerned saying it was the exact same. I have also been spacey

[Cheryl]

I am counting the number of tablets of Lamictal until I try the generic. It scares the heck out of me to think the symptoms of BiPolar or side effects may occur. My thoughts to those of you taking the generic...

[Michelle]

My son started taking Lamotrigine on Monday the 25th. Tonight, the 29th, he had his 2nd seizure this week!!! I am FURIOUS at the insurance company for literally forcing us to go generic!! Generic is NOT the same as brand -- no matter what anyone says! I've had experience with generic myself and now this with my son. His neurologist's office is going absolutely crazy because of this! My advice: JUST BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL!!!