Saturday, May 30, 2009

Re: [epilepsy] Lamictal -- Brand Name vs. Generic (Rx Rate Increases) for EP



Since we are on the topic of lamictal the nero wants to start my daughter on it i am a little nervous cause of the possible side effect

Keena

________________________________
From: uniquepnk tds.net <Uniquepnk@tds.net>
To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 12:15:31 PM
Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Lamictal -- Brand Name vs. Generic (Rx Rate Increases) for EP

Edna,

Welcome to the group. I was allerigic to Lamictal, so I am taking different
kinds of medicine, but I have had problems with different kinds of medicine
I have taken. I got switched to the generic Keppra a few months ago and had
to be switched right back a month or somewhere in that time period. I
started having seizures by the next day after the swicth. Generic stuff
might claim to be as good as the brand name stuff, but I just don't think
they are.I know the brand medicine is more expensive, but it does seem to
work better if you start out on it. If they give the generic to start with
maybe would do better than to switch from the brand name to the generic. I
hope you don't have any problems with it, if you have to switch. Take care
and if you need anything write anytime.

Tammy
On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 12:07 AM, Edna Hopper
<ednawallacehopper@ yahoo.com>wrote:

>
>
>
> I'm new to the group, and appreciate your feedback.
>
> After 13 years of experiencing
> partial seizures (diagnosed by multiple neurologists as "panic
> attacks"), I experienced a grand mal seizure 5 years ago. I was immediately
> put on 100mg of brand-name Lamictal, and have not had any seizures since. I
> just found out that my Rx costs for Lamical have increased 600% (from $100
> / 90
> days to $615) because the mail order Rx company now offers the generic for
> Lamictal. They insist that the generic for Lamictal is exactly the same
> formulation as the brand name, but I'm suspicious. I've read about
> seizure-free patients unknowingly being switched from the brand name to the
> generic, then suddenly suffering seizures. My doctor is adamant that I
> remain on the brand name, as he, too, is concerned that the generic
> formulation is different, and feels it's too risky to switch to the generic.
>
> I have petitioned for an appeal with the mail order Rx company with a
> letter from my physician, as well as my own impassioned plea, and have
> respectfully asked that I be allowed to continue with the brand name at the
> same cost as before the rate hike. I am awaiting their reply.
>
> I'm hoping
> someone from the group might have insight into 1.) their own experience of
> switching from brand name Lamictal to the generic and the outcome; 2.) if
> they've had experience / success appealing the Rx costs to their health
> insurance company / Rx company; and 3.) if they have a contact at
> GlaxoSmithKline. I believe some phara companies are offering their meds at
> reduced rates to patients in need.
>
> I look forward to any insight you can
> offer.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Edna
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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