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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 16:21:58
The FDA approved an extended release version of Lamictal for once daily dosing on June 1, 2009. I think someone here already mentioned it.
I know there are going to be some people who will say that this is no more than a patent extender. However, I think you will find droves of people who say differently after having migrating from Welbutrin IR to SR to XL.
As for me, I am hoping that my insurance company will cover the Lamictal XL if the script is written for that specifically.
Does anyone have an idea as to how long it will take for pharmacies to get Lamictal XL?
Right now, I am taking the Mylan generic version of lamotrigine at 500mg a day. I had been fine on the name brand GSK Lamictal at 200mg a day. Even at 500mg, I am still short of feeling well on the generic.
- Scott
Posted by ricker on June 5, 2009, at 17:18:02
In reply to Lamictal XR, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 16:21:58
Hi Scott, well at least it's another option we'll have in our arsenal that may yield some positive results. I know for me, anything over 50mg in 2 divided doses causes facial flushing/hot flashes so perhaps the XR will alleviate that to a degree.
I'm not even sure if the XR will be available here in Canada?
Posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 17:25:27
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » SLS, posted by ricker on June 5, 2009, at 17:18:02
> Hi Scott, well at least it's another option we'll have in our arsenal that may yield some positive results. I know for me, anything over 50mg in 2 divided doses causes facial flushing/hot flashes so perhaps the XR will alleviate that to a degree.
> I'm not even sure if the XR will be available here in Canada?Is Canada more or less restrictive than the US with regard to approving drugs? I know that Anafranil was available in Canada years before it came to the US. Also, moclobemide (Mannerix, Aurorex) never made it to the US.
- Scott
Posted by ricker on June 5, 2009, at 17:47:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » ricker, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 17:25:27
> Is Canada more or less restrictive than the US with regard to approving drugs? I know that Anafranil was available in Canada years before it came to the US. Also, moclobemide (Mannerix, Aurorex) never made it to the US.
Geez Scott, I'm not sure? I don't think abilify has been approved in Canada as of yet? Sometimes I think it's a political/pharmaceutical decision.
Posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 18:22:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » SLS, posted by ricker on June 5, 2009, at 17:47:14
>
> > Is Canada more or less restrictive than the US with regard to approving drugs? I know that Anafranil was available in Canada years before it came to the US. Also, moclobemide (Mannerix, Aurorex) never made it to the US.
>
>
> Geez Scott, I'm not sure? I don't think abilify has been approved in Canada as of yet? Sometimes I think it's a political/pharmaceutical decision.You might be right. It is hard for a drug company to justify charging twice as much in the US than in Canada for the same product. My prescription for Abilify 20mg a day costs over $700 a month. They would make more money charging $700 here than opening a Pandora's box that might force them to lower the price in both countries. $700 is unconscionable. People with psychotic disorders can't work without taking this drug. These same people can't afford the drug unless they are working. They can't work without taking this drug...etc. One needs to become homeless or otherwise indigent before the government even considers paying for Abilify or any of the other $300 drugs that are out there. This doesn't even take into consideration the overwhelming number of cases requiring polypharmacy.
Unconscionable.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2009, at 19:21:42
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » ricker, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 18:22:00
Yup Web Md or Med Scape announced the lamictal. But I didn't think other than private insurance would pay for namebrand of any med? I know my Medicaire won't. Except higher co-pay on synthroid. Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on June 6, 2009, at 0:35:24
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » ricker, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 18:22:00
> >
> > > Is Canada more or less restrictive than the US with regard to approving drugs? I know that Anafranil was available in Canada years before it came to the US. Also, moclobemide (Mannerix, Aurorex) never made it to the US.
> >
> >
> > Geez Scott, I'm not sure? I don't think abilify has been approved in Canada as of yet? Sometimes I think it's a political/pharmaceutical decision.
>
> You might be right. It is hard for a drug company to justify charging twice as much in the US than in Canada for the same product. My prescription for Abilify 20mg a day costs over $700 a month. They would make more money charging $700 here than opening a Pandora's box that might force them to lower the price in both countries. $700 is unconscionable. People with psychotic disorders can't work without taking this drug. These same people can't afford the drug unless they are working. They can't work without taking this drug...etc. One needs to become homeless or otherwise indigent before the government even considers paying for Abilify or any of the other $300 drugs that are out there. This doesn't even take into consideration the overwhelming number of cases requiring polypharmacy.
>$700 in imaginary pharmacy $ or no insurance :( ?
Seroquel is in the highest copay tier for my unnamed insurance. So is my Skelaxin (if it does anything) and I'm sure a few other "$3+" a pill medications.
-- Jay
Posted by yxibow on June 6, 2009, at 0:51:29
In reply to Lamictal XR, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 16:21:58
> The FDA approved an extended release version of Lamictal for once daily dosing on June 1, 2009. I think someone here already mentioned it.
>
> I know there are going to be some people who will say that this is no more than a patent extender. However, I think you will find droves of people who say differently after having migrating from Welbutrin IR to SR to XL.In this case I would say iffy -- all extended releases and extended extended releases and metabolite releases and disintegrating tablets and depot injections, etc, are patent extenders including Wellbutrin SR, XL. That's just a matter of economics.
However, Wellbutrin SR showed definite signs of less seizure risks and I would have never wanted to be on IR. So there are some that actually "made the grade" in psychiatric circles.Lexapro also has a bit of a reputation for being the "cleanest" of SSRIs even though its just modified Celexa. Can't say it was 'clean' for me.
Seroquel XR, it really hasn't been heard of that much.
Lamictal.... I don't know... I take Lamictal once a day in the morning anyhow, but I take 250... its mostly for antisuicidal thought /antidepressant augmentation. I have known of someone who takes 600, I dont know if it is split.
So a modest dose may not be needed to be XL'd through the day with the plasma level.
> As for me, I am hoping that my insurance company will cover the Lamictal XL if the script is written for that specifically.
Seroquel XL required a prior authorization from unnamed insurance provider.I couldn't say if it did anything one way or the other -- on one hand it may have helped smooth breakthrough symptoms at night, on the other hand it did do something wierd.... I don't know, changes in my polypharmacy can do good, or odd things.
So I decided not to continue.
> Does anyone have an idea as to how long it will take for pharmacies to get Lamictal XL?
Well they have a blank web page and a domain registered by GSK back in 2006 expiring soon (like they won't renew it) if that means anything, which Seroquel XR had for months so I would say a 4 month lead probably.
> Right now, I am taking the Mylan generic version of lamotrigine at 500mg a day. I had been fine on the name brand GSK Lamictal at 200mg a day. Even at 500mg, I am still short of feeling well on the generic.I think I'm taking the Teva one. The diamond splits aren't quite even, but whatever.
http://www.drugs.com/imprints/9-3-463-13381.html
Well -- I don't know if it is the generic, Scott, or just effectiveness in general. But you're the judge of that. Like I mentioned before, there are people who take more. And things could have changed biologically since.But I do agree if, and if, you only made one change, and it dramatically did something different, then maybe it is the last thing done.
-- Jay
Posted by Jeroen on June 13, 2009, at 15:09:36
In reply to Lamictal XR, posted by SLS on June 5, 2009, at 16:21:58
from my own perspective, i think lamictal is very dangerous
made me manic, and threw me in an irreversible psychosis
Posted by SLS on June 15, 2009, at 8:55:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR, posted by Jeroen on June 13, 2009, at 15:09:36
> from my own perspective, i think lamictal is very dangerous
>
> made me manic, and threw me in an irreversible psychosisI do believe that Lamictal can induce mania. I don't see any reason to believe that it would not produce a manic psychosis as well. I wish you didn't have to be the one to have such an unusual reaction to this drug.
Have you tried lithium?
Perhaps with Klonopin added to it?
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on June 15, 2009, at 11:10:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal XR » Jeroen, posted by SLS on June 15, 2009, at 8:55:20
thanks, those words really do something :)
This is the end of the thread.
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