Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1105823

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Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?

Posted by SLS on August 20, 2019, at 10:38:33

I don't do well with generic versions of lamotrgine. I am now taking Lamictal. The only generic manufacturer of lamotrigine that seems to work for people is Teva. Unfortunately, they don't make it anymore. They do sell a 150mg pill for an XR version of lamotrigine, but they adopted this product from the drug company they merged with. It is not the same. I tried the Mylan product, but it was weak and had side effects. I needed to take 500mg to produce any improvement at all. At this dosage, I felt foggy and not at all well.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


- Scott

 

Re: Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?

Posted by Christ_empowered on August 20, 2019, at 20:26:09

In reply to Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?, posted by SLS on August 20, 2019, at 10:38:33

i have an acquaintance with similar problems, different Rx. some psychiatrists seem to be attuned to the problem...i had a shrink insist on brand name neuroleptics, brand name anti-seizure drugs (not lamictal), etc.

-sigh- this is what happens when corporations are given too much freedom...

nothing helpful to say, just thought id chime in.

 

Re: Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?

Posted by PeterMartin on August 22, 2019, at 3:10:38

In reply to Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?, posted by SLS on August 20, 2019, at 10:38:33

This has been a big problem for me. There's a lengthy thread on Medschat where most people found TARO to be the best available genetic: https://www.medschat.com/Discuss/What-Is-The-Best-Generic-Of-Lamictal-244558_p6.htm

That said there is one on drugs.com where people seemed to suggest Unichem.

I've switched between 5 or so (TARO, Unichem, Alembic, Cipla, Aurobindo). I always seem to come back to TARO which Costco by me (Cali) uses as their contracted kind. If anything it's more like than Teva/brand. The worst for me was Cipla which seemed to give me akathesia after just a day on two different attempts.

If brand wasn't ridiculously expensive I'd probably opt for that.

Lamictal is a difficult drug to lower the dose on in my experience. For that reason I've been reluctant to try simply increasing my 200 to say 300 to see if that would make a difference. My other meds have fallen in line though so at the moment TARO seems to be doing the trick.

Apotex makes a version in Canada (sold elsewhere in the world) that doesn't have lactose. That's was one type I wanted to try but was unable to get.

A whole bunch of other genetic makers make the extended version. Like you said the generic TEVA isn't really Teva so that's not good. I actually responded terribly to the actavis extended version. I did pretty well on a couple of the others but at the time I didn't realize there could be such a large difference.

Someone on Reddit swore by the PAR oral disintegrating tables. That's a type I never tried.

Wish I had a better suggestion. Thanks if anyone else has any.

 

Re: Which generic version? » SLS

Posted by PCB on August 22, 2019, at 20:07:27

In reply to Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?, posted by SLS on August 20, 2019, at 10:38:33

Hey SLS,

I found that I only responded to TEVA generic lamotrigine or GSK brand lamictal for many years. When TEVA discontinued its product; I ask multiple pharmacists, call the company, talked with my doc without any answer to my problem. So I had to figure it out for myself or I was back to full depression.

First, I went on this webpage and counted the most popular generic lamictals aside from TEVA (https://www.drugs.com/answers/brand-lamotrigine-side-affects-teva-worked-best-3442522.html).

Second, I decided to look up all the ingredients in all the generic lamictals. I rated which generic lamictal had ingredients similar to TEVA generic or the brand GSK lamictal. Here is a list of the generic companies making lamictal (https://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-lamictal.html).

Then I would google lamotrigine ingredients and the name of the company. Most were listing on Daily Med (https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/index.cfm). Here is the link to Cipla's Lamotrigine Ingredients (https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ecfa700a-117e-44fc-90c9-bd96b46763cd). Scroll down to Ingredients and Appearance. It lists Lactose Monohyrate Sodium Starch Glycolate Type A Potato, Povidone K30, Magnesium Sterate, Ferric Oxide Red, Ferric Oxide Yellow, Ferrosoferric Oxide, Silicon Dioxide.

So I ended up looking up all the generic ingredients and comparing them to TEVA and GSK ingredients. I also remembered not responding to Taro and Zydus. So I stayed away from generics with ingredients found in Taro and Zydus generics. I think Cipla was apretty close match.

Funny, after all that, it turned out that after my lifestyle changes I made 2 years ago, I ended up tolerating all generic brands over the past 6 months. I thing my excessive coffee, lack of sleep and lack of fish kept me from toleranting other brands.

Sorry this is so long. I hope any of this helps. I know how scared I was. This was my crazy way of trying to find out an alternative to TEVA. Hope you find your alternative soon. Your deserve it!

PCB

 

Re: Which generic version? » PCB

Posted by SLS on August 23, 2019, at 13:18:58

In reply to Re: Which generic version? » SLS, posted by PCB on August 22, 2019, at 20:07:27

Thanks, PCB!

I really appreciate your efforts in posting this information.

I had a bad experience with Mylan, and would not recommend it to anyone. Some people swear by Taro. However, the Teva brand seems to have been favored by most people. I currently take GSK brand Lamictal. So far, my prescription plan helps cover the cost of Lamictal, as long as I reapply for pre-authorization each year. There is no guarantee that they will renew it.


- Scott


> Hey SLS,
>
> I found that I only responded to TEVA generic lamotrigine or GSK brand lamictal for many years. When TEVA discontinued its product; I ask multiple pharmacists, call the company, talked with my doc without any answer to my problem. So I had to figure it out for myself or I was back to full depression.
>
> First, I went on this webpage and counted the most popular generic lamictals aside from TEVA (https://www.drugs.com/answers/brand-lamotrigine-side-affects-teva-worked-best-3442522.html).
>
> Second, I decided to look up all the ingredients in all the generic lamictals. I rated which generic lamictal had ingredients similar to TEVA generic or the brand GSK lamictal. Here is a list of the generic companies making lamictal (https://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-lamictal.html).
>
> Then I would google lamotrigine ingredients and the name of the company. Most were listing on Daily Med (https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/index.cfm). Here is the link to Cipla's Lamotrigine Ingredients (https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ecfa700a-117e-44fc-90c9-bd96b46763cd). Scroll down to Ingredients and Appearance. It lists Lactose Monohyrate Sodium Starch Glycolate Type A Potato, Povidone K30, Magnesium Sterate, Ferric Oxide Red, Ferric Oxide Yellow, Ferrosoferric Oxide, Silicon Dioxide.
>
> So I ended up looking up all the generic ingredients and comparing them to TEVA and GSK ingredients. I also remembered not responding to Taro and Zydus. So I stayed away from generics with ingredients found in Taro and Zydus generics. I think Cipla was apretty close match.
>
> Funny, after all that, it turned out that after my lifestyle changes I made 2 years ago, I ended up tolerating all generic brands over the past 6 months. I thing my excessive coffee, lack of sleep and lack of fish kept me from toleranting other brands.
>
> Sorry this is so long. I hope any of this helps. I know how scared I was. This was my crazy way of trying to find out an alternative to TEVA. Hope you find your alternative soon. Your deserve it!
>
> PCB

 

Re: Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?

Posted by Lamdage22 on September 10, 2019, at 6:22:39

In reply to Re: Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?, posted by Christ_empowered on August 20, 2019, at 20:26:09

Yep. No problems in Germany with Generics. I have tried numerous different gerneric brands. No issue whatsoever. I don't care which one they give me.

> -sigh- this is what happens when corporations are given too much freedom...


 

Re: Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?

Posted by Lamdage22 on September 16, 2019, at 21:59:48

In reply to Which generic version of lamotrigine works best?, posted by SLS on August 20, 2019, at 10:38:33

How are you doing, Scott? You were having a crisis and didn't give us updates anymore. Is this a good or a bad sign?


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