[Cole Thornton]

My wife has been stable since diagnosis as rapid cycle type II 3 1/2 years ago. At least until recently. About two months ago, she started developing crushes, had an online affair with an old co-worker, screams at me and the kids daily and has felt out of control. Yesterday she lost touch with reality and accused me of really off the wall stuff, only to recover and apologize profusely later in the day. She is torn apart and sure I am going to leave her. (I have considered it- I am at the end of my rope.)

Looking for a trigger, we noticed that she was changed to a generic equivolent for Depakote right about the time she lost control. We have a call in to the pdoc.

How about it folks? Anyone had problems with generic equivolent meds? I really want to find a way to help her.

[Bat Mom]

Good Morning. I am surprised there aren't any responses yet. I can give you my experiences. My daughter and her doctor believe there is a big difference between manufacturers. She needs a specific make for Lamictal and she was on a couple of different makers of Trilafon. One really sedated her and the other didn't. She had a long conversation with our pharmacist about it and he said there can be a 10% difference in effectiveness between different makes of the 'same' drug. My daughter's doc will be very specific when he is looking for a certain maker on a couple of her meds. Pharmacy every now and then will switch manufacturers, that is just horrible. But if you have a good relationship with them and your doc then you can work with them to find the original maker.

I wish you and your wife all the best. Good luck sorting this out.

[Cole Thornton]

Thanks, Bat Mom. Great name, by the way, though I now have the batman theme stuck in my head.

The med change has been so significant that she feels like she did before diagnosis and meds.

Let's get the word out folks! Not all brands/generic equivolents are similar in effectiveness!

[ladyjrnlist]

It is entirely possible that the generic is the issue. First, most of us bipolrs are extremely sensitive to even slight changes in meds. Second,

[ladyjrnlist]

It is entirely possible that the generic is the issue. First, most of us bipolrs are extremely sensitive to even slight changes in meds. Second, wwhile drug companies claim the only difference in a generic is in the sopposedly inert right hand molecule, I myself had to be taken off a generic antidepressant years ago because I flipped out. Some people notice the difference.

I have a problem with some generic meds too, particularly Ativan , the generic version makes me very groggy next day. Also with zyprexa. I had a conversation with the pharmacist a few day ago about this where he swore they are exact same and only gave me generic version even tho I explained the problem, and the prescription was for zyprexa brand not olanzipne.

[Cole Thornton]

I did some research this morning and came across a wealth of information. Many people who take Depakote to control seizures start having siezures again when changed to a generic version. When changed back to the brand name, the seizures disappear.

I can well imagine that this lack of effectiveness with generics can cause the same issues with those taking it to control BPD. I know my wife has been very stable until changed to the generic about two months ago. Now, she is barely holding on. The meds are the only thing that has changed.

[agaperules]

I know this article is old but I take Depakote ER and they changed it to generic and I had manic outburst. I was told by a doctor and I'm surprised nobody has said this but the truth is that generic Depakote ER 500 mg for instance is 485-500 mg and the name brand is closer to 500-515 or 520. With that much variance, then it's no wonder there is more and more cases where people can't take the generic version.