Lamictal vs generic limotrigine

Yesterday, my pdoc prescribed me lamictal, and today I went to the pharmacy to have it filled. Apparently, even with decent insurance and a $40 off coupon, 3 weeks worth of 25 mg brand Lamictal still would cost me $170. I'm a poor college student; I can't afford that! The same amount of generic limotrigine, however, was only $10 with insurance.

I went with the generic, but I am concerned. From what Dr.Google can tell me, a lot of people notice a huge difference between brand and generic limotrigine. Are any of you on the generic, and does it work for you? The limotrigine I bought was made by Cadista. Thanks. : )

It annoys me that my pharmacy keeps changing brands of generic lamotrigine, but so far I haven't noticed a difference between them. I haven't taken brand-name lamictal for a long time...my insurance won't cover it.

I know Lamictal is very expensive, but I don't think there will be much difference in the brand name and the generic form.

i can not get over the med prices in USA...something you pay hundreds of dollars for we pay 4 dollars for...it's insane

I take the generic and it works well for me.

I started out taking Lamictal but when I changed insurance I had to move to the generic, lamotrigine. For generics, the active ingredients have to be the same as the brand name. The chemicals that could be different are the binding agents/inert ingredients. I have noticed no difference between the brand name and the generic.

Hear you on the pricing, Secretum!
I was on the name brand for awhile -- when Ex had decent job and insurance, so it was manageable, though still ridiculous. (Wanted to start on brand, so I'd know what to compare the effectiveness of generic to, you know?) After that, with a major move and much change and challenge, I was afraid to switch to generic, since the brand was working. Make sense? Oh, right, and no psych at the time, so if things went awry... So despite having no job and no insurance, I bit the bullet and forked it over (goodbye meager savings...)

Once things settled in a bit, and found a psych, switched to generic. Like you, Secretum, I'd done some reading, and found information of quite some interest, regarding not only between brand and generic in general, but between different manufacturers of generics. It's more of a problem with some drugs than others. (Then there are gov't standards (-20/+20 active ingredient) vs enforcement, issues of bioequivalent testing, independent studies and the quality of the various methodologies and test subjects thereof... yes, head-spinning.) These things matter of course, in terms of not accepting on blind faith, but what's most important by a mile, is what works for an individual.

But back to your question(!) Yes, I take one of the generic lamotrigines. It works for me.
Most important of course is what works for you! Keep us posted, ok?

I take the generic and it is working well. My Cymbalta breaks me so I take generic everything else.

Have taken both, each long term & have not noticed any difference. Only the price. ;-)

Secretum, I take the generic form of Lamictal and have noticed no difference at all in my symptoms.

I couldn't afford the real thing due to lack of insurance last year and took the generic fora bout 8 months. I was using it to knock out depression - really to keep future episodes from happening. I was on some other things like lithium and tegretol generic too. It seemed to help at first but eventually my pdoc and I agreed it wasn't doing as much compared to the other meds. That's my experience anyway. Maybe Lamictal would have done more. Don't know. Best to you...

Thanks for the responses, everyone. It' s comforting to know that many of you have had good experiences w/ the generic.

I took my first dose today. So far I haven't gotten meningitis, had a heart attack, gone into liver failure, developed SJS, or had any other potentially fatal reaction. Though I suppose I will have to wait a few weeks to make sure that I'm clear with the SJS...

I was started straight on the generic (Epitec in this case). I titrated up to my current, therapeutic dose. I have been told that one cannot change from generic to original. One needs to start the titration process over. Our medical insurance HAS to cover 26 chronic conditions, of which BP is one. This includes meds and therapy. They can however stipulate that a generic must be used, but your pdoc can write a motivation for the brand-name.
Wow-meds here are expensive, but not like you are talking! WOW

I take the generic and it's working great for me.

I'm also on the generic - haven't had any problems with it and its been working really well as a mood-stabilizer. I hope it helps you!