Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group
Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It is commonly controlled with medication, although surgical methods are used as well. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary abnormal electrophysiologic phenomena of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal...
I've been taking brand name tegretol xr for quite a few years now with pretty good results. once in a while i start feeling something coming, i'll start having problems that i associate with partials or aura, and i take an extra one and go to bed. in the past, if that starts happening often the doctor has increased my dose. I'm taking 2x400 twice daily now. I don't know what the max dose is, but I wonder if I'm reaching the point where tegretol alone won't be enough.
I'm paying $60/month for this. The insurance company wants to send me the new generic, 3 months worth at a time, for $38, a huge cost savings. If I get the generic at the pharmacy it only saves me $10.
I spoke with the pharmacist and he was very frank about it. He said if you have something that works for epilepsy don't mess with it, not even to go to the generic.
does anyone have any experience with this?
I'm paying $60/month for this. The insurance company wants to send me the new generic, 3 months worth at a time, for $38, a huge cost savings. If I get the generic at the pharmacy it only saves me $10.
I spoke with the pharmacist and he was very frank about it. He said if you have something that works for epilepsy don't mess with it, not even to go to the generic.
does anyone have any experience with this?
The Epilepsy Foundation & other sites have posted articles on the subject of 'brand vs. generic'. General consensus, agrees w/ your pharmacist. Please do some 'homework'. :)
I have been on generic Pheno's for over 20 yrs, as far as I know. I don't recall ever paying attn to the label, until it became news. . Just trusted the DR script & pharmacies. But, it works for me. So, it's highly possible, that's all my system has known.
I know my daughter was switched back & forth & her seizures were never fully under control. They did add Keppra to her regimen & she had better control, but, still had breakthrus. They took her off TegrestolXR last yr. I will ask her what her max dose was. :) (Keep in mind what works for someone else, may not work for you. ) She is now on Topamax & is going to request another 'trial & error' w/ another med, cuz, Topamax side effect is not acceptable to her.
You can try the generic. But, I would do so only w/ DRS recommendation & supervision (blood tests) Speaking of, when was the last time you had one done to check drug levels?
Love Candi