What Is The Best Generic Of Lamictal? (Page 11)

I've been taking the generic for Lamictal for about five years. Recently I've been feeling different at about the beginning of the year. I use to take the white ones but now I am taking a generic by Taro. What is the best generic for this drug? I never really payed any attention until I started getting this crazy migraines. If anyone has any insights it would be much appreciated.

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Re: Joeyfantoni (# 200)

Same exact side effects here. I was taking Teva 200mg for years and it worked great. I never had any side effects. After they stopped I had to experiment with different generics and none worked. I decided to try brand and when we increased dose to 300mg extreme neck and shoulder tension. Extreme thirst, left arm numbness, and increase in anxiety. It’s 100% from the increase in the medicine. I think it’s just side effects of taking a higher dosage of Lamotrigine the active iingredient compared to generic ve brand. I bumped back down to 250mg and all the side effects went away however the depression is back. Can’t seem to win.

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I understand . Lamictal is one drug that I am really sensitive to the different generic manufacturers. I have been taking this drug for 20 years. To me the best generic is Teva but they are not available. Taro is the next similar to it. My dose went up slightly when switched to Taro. By about 50mg. I’ve taken other generics andI really don’t like any of them.

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Between Taro, Unichem, Northstar(which is the same as Aurobindo now = shield pills), or Cadista which is best? I'd love to hear updates from people who used to post in this thread. The easiest generics for me to get are Taro and Unichem. Both have been "ok" but I may need to stick w/ one and really tweak the dose. Hoping to hear some positive stories. Thanks!

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Re: Hope (# 196)

What 100 mg recall? I use that dose.

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Re: Connie (# 204)

That Taro recall was in February - I would assume it’s resolved by now.
I was doing fine on Taro, but Walgreens just would no longer make the effort to get it for me, so I’ve switched to Unichem, still gradually transitioning, and seem to be doing okay - hard to say for sure with everything else going on in our world right now.

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Cadista is now also being discontinued unfortunately. I’ve been taking it for 5 years from CVS and it’s been the one that's worked the best for me. Others don't help my mood nearly as much. Does anyone know a generic that’s similar to Cadista?

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Re: fanoxinow (# 206)

I know this is an old thread but....Have you been able to find a generic similar to Cadista? It's the only generic that has worked well for me and the last of it ran out a few months ago at my pharmacy. I've again tried other generics and I find I get dizzy when I get up quickly. I'm afraid to drive right now because of this.

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Re: Karen (# 207)

I’m still trying to find a good alternative to Cadista. No one really mentions it in this thread, but I thought it worked well. From what I’ve read, most people that liked Teva, the most popular one before it was discontinued a couple years ago, have switched over to Unichem and some to Taro, and I haven’t heard any complaints lately. I think Unichem is the one I will try next; I’ll post an update when I have more info. How about you, have you found any generic particularly good or bad?

I would also say don’t take any one person’s opinion as fact; just because they reacted one way doesn’t mean you will. Try some different generics, I still haven’t tried Zydus and a couple others. If none of them work, it might be possible to buy the brand name from Canada through mail order pharmacy. I’ve never done it, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. I saw brand name Lamictal from GlaxoSmithKline on a Canadian mail order website and it came out to be about $75-$100 per month for 200mg/day.

There is also the possibility that you could ask your doctor for the ODT (orally dissolving tablet) or chewable version of lamotrigine, but I’ve never tried those and don’t know how they measure up. You may also qualify for patient assistance from GSK for brand name if you meet their criteria. You may also need to increase or decrease your dose a little bit. It could also take two weeks or more for your body to adjust to a new generic. Hope you find something that works, let us know if you do.

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Teva was closest but it was discontinued to brand Lamictal. Taro is now the best generic that is closest to brand. I have been taking Lamictal for 21 years.

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Re: Ashlie (# 61)

Unichem doesn't work for me. Bad headaches...breakthrough anxiety symptoms. Alembic works great.

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The 2 classes of medications that should not be allowed in any form other than the brand name are 1. Central Nervous System Disorders such as anti convulsants for epilepsy, anti depressants..etc and 2. Anti rejection meds for those who have had organ transplants.

Problem is..no one can afford them

If you’re interested in understanding why there’s a difference research the Ranbaxy case.. different manufacturers simply do things differently or not at all or somewhat..some alter the active ingredients…some actually have contained glass..

You will never get a cleaner version than name brand because they are under the microscope of the FDA in the USA and held to those standards going forth. Once the patent period is done.. well, roll the dice.

Research. Listen to other’s reviews. Know where your drugs come from. Let your pharmacist, your doctors and anyone else know that you know the skinny. Monitor yourself. Make the best choice from what you know.

“Your health is an investment, not an expense.” Invest in alternative and supportive health self care can reduce or even eliminate the need for meds. Keto was designed for kids with epilepsy and it can completely stop their seizures in many cases. It’s too hard to do..so they pop a toxic pill. It’s a diet fad now.

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Re: DMR (# 210)

Unichem is alright for me but not great. Where do you get Alembic? I've never found a place that carries it.

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Re: aussiecurry (# 8)

WARNING>>> STOP THE NONSENSE! THE GENERICS ARE NOT 99% OF THE ORIGINAL. Generic lamotrigine formulas, when you are accustomed to Lamictal, are woefully lackluster and can be dangerously dissimilar. generics only have to be accountable for 80% of the same ingredients as the brand. I've been on Lamictal brand most of my life and have paid the price for using generics...without fail. They are not even close to the same as far as effectiveness or mental stability. Every time I've tried generics, within a few days, I have been hospitalized for mental illness. The confusion, lack of self-awareness, loss of "reality" and physical "side-effects" on several generic lamotrigine substitutions have always left me incapacitated. trust this, the generics might as well be placebos in chemical similarity as far as i have experienced. Lamictal is not a drug that has useful generics. whatever that 20% difference is, it is life-changingly incompatible. lamictal is so expensive now, i am up against the wall on options for coverage. the average price is 3400$ brand per fill. i came here with hopes of seeing a convincing argument for a better generic. it looks like i have one solid day left in me. (my Lamictal runs out tomorrow) and then, i guess i'll just pack my pajama pants and a Kurt Vonnegut book because i will be off to the loony bin again.

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Re: jenn (# 213)

Do you live in the us? If so you can receive brand lamictal monthly free of charge straight from the manufacturer. Visit GSK Patient Assistance (GSKforyou) and fill out form. To be “eligible” you must make $2500 or less a month or just check “unemployed” and your good to go. ;)

Your doctor will have to fax them your script and sign a paper saying that you have tried generics and they don’t work for you. It’s an easy overall process.

I’m taking my time to write this to you because I agree with what you wrote 100% and have lived through it. Generic is nothing like the brand. I also become unstable mentally and feel like s*** if I take generic.

None of this is “in our heads” and don’t let any doctor or pharmacist convince you that. We know our bodies and we know how we feel. We also know how each medicine affects our physical and mental health. Best of luck to you.

-Gus

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Re: fanoxinow (# 208)

I've had great success with Unichem but I had to go to several pharmacies to find one that would order it for me. Most pharmacies here in Washington get theirs from Northwest and people were saying it was awful. Also, be careful when ordering from outside the US. I ordered from Turkey which was supposed to be the manufacturer for brand name and the pills were a different shape and color. I was so dizzy after taking them that I had trouble walking so had to go back to brand name at a higher copay. Good luck. I know this whole generic thing is a cluster.

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I have had success with Aurobindo so far and thought it was quite good overall and I generally felt positive and most importantly no seizure activity. Has anyone tried Subvenite as a branded generic?

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