I just did a post called My Meds are Working- there are some fantastic comments under the post. I have learned a lot from readers.
Here are the facts on generic Lamictal (Lamotrigine). There can be problems with the generic formula. This does not mean it won’t work for you- it does for many people. It does mean that you will need to monitor your moods once you switch. It’s a gradual change if the meds are not working- it seems to be around five weeks.
I really want to stress that generics are good things in many ways- costs, availability, etc. But as people with bipolar disorder, we have to take charge of our own health care. If you use my Health Cards treatment system, it’s a good idea to read your normal card while you take the generics.
Doctors can prescribe ‘brand’ Lamictal if the generics don’t work for you. I can’t believe that I lost a month of work time simply because I didn’t know the meds weren’t working!!!
This is about awareness- when and if you start generic Lamictal, educate your health care professional on the reality of the drug and then work together to make sure you stay stable. Most people do!
Julie
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My son has had difficulties when he has taken generics for many meds. Our psychiatrist explained that the FDA allows generics to contain up to 30% more or less of the name brand med. Obviously they may often opt to supply LESS to increase their profits. Everyone should be aware of this — meds are prescribed for maximum benefit — using generics can be a DANGEROUS option.
I’m on week 1 of the generic. Thanks for the heads up about looking for a change between now and 5 weeks.
Hello,
There is a very good chance it will work just fine. And it’s so inexpensive! I agree that all we have to do is notice how we are feeling and go from there! Julie
I started taking generic Lamictal last December on top of Nefazadone for depression and the Lamictal has worked wonders on my brain! For the first time in 30 years I can actually say that my brain is “quiet.” I can’t really comment on any difference between the generic and the brand-name version but my 200mg daily dose of generic is working for me. If only we had had these medicines 30 years ago! If only someone had just diagnosed me maybe 15 years ago. Oh well, I know better than to dwell on the past. For now, I believe that Lamictal is an important part of my recovery, and look forward to uncovering some happiness in my life.
Keith
Hi Keith,
Oh Yes. Hurray for Lamictal- whether generic or not! It changed my life as well. I was 41 when I got the drug, so I know what you mean about the if only. In fact, that is my next column topic for BP Magazine!
I am so happy you found something that works – life really does get better from here.
Julie
Thank you for reafimming what I instictavly knew! I am on Lamictal also and this was my psych doctors second choice! It has given me back my ” normal ” life! I am more to the deprested site of my disorder and this has balanced me so much! I am currently on 450mg Wellbutin X1 aday, 350mg of Effoxor Xr, and 150mg of Lamictal (generic), daily. This I can function with during DST.
Thank you for reaffimming what I instictavly knew! I am on Lamictal also and this was my psych doctors second choice! It has given me back my ” normal ” life! I am more to the depressed site of my disorder and this has balanced me so much! I am currently on 450mg Wellbutin X1 aday, 350mg of Effoxor Xr, and 300mg of Lamictal (generic), daily. It is a constant battle to fight this disorder! This prescription works for me now, but I have reservations about how long. To me the generic or or brand did not make a difference, it’s how you deal with the “outside” that matters! What works for you, stay with it!
Julie,
First of all thank you so much for all of the wonderful info you give. Our 11 year old has Bipolar and we have been so blessed by your insight, and encouraged by your success. Thank you Thank you. I was compelled to comment because I want to make sure you have accurate information. My husband is a pharmacist, and would be glad to answer ANY questions you have about meds. Generic medications are not like other generic products. They MUST contain the same formulation as their brand name counterparts. They can vary by 10%, but SO CAN BRAND NAME meds. For example, a 100 mg tablet of something EITHER brand of generic can contain 90 to 110 mg. In other words they are held to the same standard as brand name meds. They cannot vary by 30%. I’m saddened that the psychiatrist of the one person made such an uninformed statement. Feel free to email us ANY questions about meds. Keep up the great work!
I was wondering if anyone has experienced chest pains with Lamictal? I switched to the generic in hopes that it would help and it has, but I’ve woken up depressed the last few days. I’m worried that I need to be on the brand name instead of the generic. I am on 25mg. I couldn’t handle 50mg, it made me feel crazy.
Can anyone tell me if they have had ill effects from changing from brand name lamictal to the generic Lamotrigine. My daughter suffers from bi-polar disorder and she recently had to change to a generic and became very agitated and agressive. We made an appt with her psychiatrist and he wrote her a new prescription for brand name lamictal. He stated that in ~10-15% of his patients that the generic lamictal does not work. I have also read that the generic has the same active ingredients but does not have to use the same binders or have the same quality process levels. We had a supply of the brand name Lamictal left from a previous prescription and immediately put her back on that and her mood change was quite dramatic (for the better)
Has anyone used Lamictal ODT or Lamictal XR for thier treatment of Bipolar. I just found out that neither of these versions are available in a generic form. My companies policy is that if there is a generic available than they fill it with a generic even if the PD writes the prescription for “brand name only” I am going thru an appreals process but based on what I have experienced to date, I am not confident that I will get an exemption to prescription coverage.
In my research, I found that GlaxcoSmithKline also produces Lamictal ODT and Lamictal XR. If needed, I was thinking that this may be a way to get my daughter the brand Lamictal. Does anyone have any experience with either of these two versions?
Generic Drugs are allowed by the FDA to be 80% or 125% of the brand drug. Also the inactive ingredients are different. Generic drugs are not required to undergo clinical trials and are just presumed to be the same. The fact that so many people have had problems is significant. That said, I think that many people do just fine on generics especially if the same manufacturer is used.
Thank you for the material. Do you mind if I posted it in her blog, of course, with reference to your site?
Hi Cialis,
You can repost anything from this blog as long as it has my name and blog address on it. My goal is to get as much free infomration on the net as possible. I just ask that nothing be changed from the original piece. I appreciate your comments.
Julie
lamictal has been the “wounder” drug i feel as normal as i was before i had bipolar disorder. my moods are alot better now. no mania or depression. which means so much to me to feel normal again. i have schizoaffective disorder they have first said that i was bipolar 1. then it got alot worse from there i was dianosed in 2003. at first i thought that my life was over or so thats how i felt. i was alone in my battle because everyone around me said i was fakeing to get attention so i went to a very deep depression state would not come out of my room then i was put on meds then at that time my b/f’s mom said everyone has racing thoughts its normal which that made me want to cry. i was so alone. then i was sucidal. got inpatent in 2004. to me it was like a vacation from my life that was going down hill like a rollarcoaster. i was there 2 wks. was put on better meds for me then as soon as i got back it got so stressful i could not take nomore then i got sucidal again. but i was being mentally abused & physically abused & that had alot to do with it i got out of that relationship i had family around me & they said ur not bipolar so i agreed with them went off of haldol cold turkey i was ok for a while then i didn’t want to work & went on a rollcoaster ride & now i have a b/f that is great for me & the most important thing to me is that he understands that i have bipolar disorder that means more to me that he does & my dad does thats the only person that does.& u help me so much by the information that u have on here i check it every so often to check for updates it hasn’t been a easy ride as anyone having bipolar & i want to say thank u for the help thru the years.sorry to tell u so much of my life but i know that u have been there too