I'm on levetiracetam and depakote, I'm ok with those, but what are your thoughts?
@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member,
Brand name vs generic epilepsy drugs usage is a complicated subject. And, on top of this point, even brand name drugs can be either ineffective (another type is needed) or really bad (I'm allergic to Lamotrigine; had to rush to hospital in middle of bad snow storm; about 10% of ALL people have bad reaction to brand name Lamotrigine).
Generic epilepsy drugs - sometimes they might work for some people. But for others they do NOT! My insurance company forced me to try a generic version of Vimpat (Lacosamide) b/c it cost 1/3 the price. Tried it for less than 2 wks but had extremely bad reaction to it when I lay down. Had to get an official medical document signed by my epileptologist to get back on brand name Vimpat. Still on it and am seizure free for 7 hrs, 6 mos.
Everyone with epilepsy has to find the best drugs that work best for them. Complicated. To achieve this, you need an excellent, experienced epileptologist to get you through these tough times.
Best of luck in your drug battles.
Thank you for that. Makes sense to me and I'll be sure and discuss with my pharmacist.
I take the name brand meds: Lamictal and Keppra. Generics don't work for me. After being seizure free for almost one year, the pharmacy gave me (against my doctor's directions) the generic for Lamictal. In less than 2 days I had a seizure. I am so fortunate that my doctor is so demanding with the insurance company. I went to renew a 90 day supply recently and the med supplier gave me a price of $4,800+/-. as a "co-pay." Abiding by the doctor's requirements, my co-pay then became $125.00. God answered a prayer for me.
No nausea plus take 2 other meds. Helps so far
Everyone responds different to a generic medication of course its always best to get the brand name what my dr does is put on my prescription that I get an allergic reaction to generic but prior to that he gets insurance authorization to make sure my co payment is no more than 25 but there is a difference it might be the same medication but you can tell only problem is after your body gets use to it I went back to generic my sezuire medications are maxed out in strength my only option is surgery.