Lamotrigine

Hi, I apparently have treatment resistant depression. The SSRIs make me incredibly...incredibly...sleepy. Too anxious on wellbutrin.

The psychiatrist is now trying lamotrigine. First, I was on 25 mg for a month...then 50 mg for two weeks...and now on 100 mg. for a few days. Was incredibly sleepy all day, haven't been that sleepy until now.

This generic is made by Cadista. I've read that there is often a world of difference in these generics, and the best one to get is the generic made by Teva. Which pharmacy carries this? My health ins uses CVS pharm, but if the price isn't unreasonable I can self-pay for the Teva generic at another pharmacy such as Walgreens or Krogers or whoever carries this better made generic.

Any input or comments from you guys would be appreciated. TIA!

Ann

Thanks for the part about the companies who make the generics, I didn't know that. I don't have much knowledge about which pharmacy carries the Teva one, but I hope you're able to find an answer on here.

I don't really know as far as whether one generic is better than another. When I took it, Krogers I think carried the Teva one, but then they stopped and switched to another. I don't know if what they carry is chain wide or if decisions are made by the manager of each pharmacy. Maybe call your local pharmacies and ask if they carry it?

mine says zydus pharmaceu ... from krogers ... I know sleepness is a listed side effect but has never been an issue with me ... currently at 300mg ... maybe just give it more time ...

You can always ask. I have to take a certain brand of my generic Trileptal that I think I can only get at Target pharmacy. At least thats where I keep going. When I moved and they gave me another brand, I requested that particular brand and now they order it for me when I pick up refills. I think it's on file or something now, because I will bring it back if it's wrong. I got a headache with another brand, so I don't take chances now.

I get my prescription at Walgreens and the pills are manufactured by Teva. I don't know, however, if this means that ALL Walgreens carry the same generic.

When do you take it? Can you take it at night? I take 300mg at night and I don't notice any grogginess in the morning.

I didn't notice a change from the Teva to whatever these are that I am taking now. I know people metabolize meds differently though and there can be some real difference between generics. I also know that even the generic is expensive.

Good luck finding a solution to this problem.

I haven't heard or read about any problems between the generics of lamictal.

I ran into the problem some years back with wellbutrin xl, and that issue was very well documented and the FDA actually pulled one manufacturer's version off the shelves, but that is not a hugely common issue thank goodness.

I took generics from Walgreens and they were great. So helpful. When I switched pharmacies, I noticed the pills were differently shaped but I didnt even consider brand! I started cycling shortly thereafter again. I wonder...

Don't forget to use the free prescription cards. I save almost 200.00 on my meds and you can use them with insurance too. I use the simple savings card but do your research and find the one that best fits your med

No matter how small, a positive change deserves to be celebrated!

I started on brand name Lamictal (ex's insurance covered), figuring down the road, I'd know what I was comparing to. Since going with generics, Teva's worked best for me.

I've had a couple other generics of it. One worked out ok (think it was Taro??) The other? Not! To the degree that it was being brought to my attention by others(!) I even kept the bottle (taped shut) with notes all over it, so I never forget. Aurobindo. None for me, thanks(!)

Trying to get a consistently available specific generic at a given pharmacy is frustrating. I have 3 meds that I go with specific manufacturers for. Everything would go along fine, only to suddenly have them stop carrying it. Sometimes they will special order. Or they will suddenly stop giving that option because "corporate" has declared whatever crap is cheapest at any given moment (a randomness I could do without). Desperately trying to track down one one time, I happened to go into an independent pharmacy. I will never go back to the big chains. This place will order what you need if they don't already carry it, no problem.

To anyone seeking a particular manufacturer, check into this option. I got so sick of playing whack-a-mole.

I'm a licensed certified pharmacy technician. The problem we have all the time is that a drug be a particular manufacturer will become unavailable and on backorder. So we will have to order a different brand. I have personally tried a few different brands and have not noticed a difference. I take 400 mgs at night.

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The free cards don't work with Medicare or Medicaid or (rather stupidly) if you are paying out of pocket. Something I learned the hard way.

Prescription Prices, Coupons & Pharmacy Information - GoodRx tells you what all the pharmacies are charging and gives you a coupon to print if there is one for each pharmacy. I've found huge differences in med costs that way.

(But don't get confused as I did and enter gooddrugs because that is an ENTIRELY different website .