Northstar Rx

Has anyone had problems with lamotrigine (generic Lamictal) manufactured by Northstar Rx

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My pharmacy changed my Teva brand of Lamotrigine to North Star brand. Has anyone noticed a difference with the difference switching brands?

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Yes. I take lamotrigine for bi-polar depression. I have found that the Northstar version of the drug doesn't work. I took it and my mood crashed. Then I got back on the Teva made lamotrigine, and my mood stabilized. I believe the Northstar product in effective. Try to get your prescribing physician to write "Teva - DAW" on your script.

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My original Hyzaar was refilled by mail with Losartan Hctz 100 by Northstar and I think I'm having serious side effects that I just now attribute to the bp med. My legs are cramping; hip joints hurt; panting with little exertion and rapid resting heart beat. The bill is oblong yellow. Sound right to you?

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I have taken several different types of lamotrigine such as Taro, and Dr Redy, this is the first that has caused an adverse reaction. I was having double vision, chills, loss of balance, excessive tiredness and headaches. I take it for epilepsy and was terrified it could cause a seizure.

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My pharmacy switched from TARO to Northstar Lamotrigine which I take for seizures. In the two months that I was taking it I started having really intense joint pain and not sleeping as well - lots of anxiety dreams. I returned to the pharmacy and they had about two weeks worth of TARO on the shelf which I bought and used. The joint pain symptoms ceased and the dreams changed. After two weeks switched back to what I had (Northstar) and the negative symptoms are back.

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Yes, I have been on the Taro generic, which worked well. My local pharmacy's supplier switched to the NorthStar generic, which I got three weeks ago. The longer I take the NorthStar, the worse I am - muscle stiffness, feeling like my mind is flying apart, and horrible, horrible hunger attacks. I take it for bipolar, along with Lexapro and Topamax and was doing great, until this NorthStar junk. Now I feel like I'm back at the beginning. It's terrible!!!

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There can be differences in generic medications. Under federal law, they are allowed to differ in the amount of the active ingredient, by as much as plus or minus 20%.

This is considered to be an acceptable therapeutic window and, for most people, it is and doesn't cause problems. However, when you have been taking something for a long period of time, or are sensitive to any fluctuation in your medication, it can cause problems, because you may not be getting as much of the active ingredient that you were, or in some cases you may be getting more.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Lamotrigine/­

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Losartan/­

In most cases, your body will adjust, in a few weeks, however, if it is causing you severe problems, you might want to see if your pharmacy can order in the one manufactured by the other company.

Are there any other questions or comments?

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Different manufacturers also use different fillers which can be problematic.

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Yay! Finally found people who have had problems with North Star. I take it for generalized epilepsy, and I started to experience myoclonic jerks, increasing in intensity and frequency throughout the few months I was taking it. I've been taking generics for years, with no problems and I've temporarily switched to brand name ... and the jerks went away. So glad to know that one generic brand can be so different from the rest - I've just been lumping them all together.

Has anyone had a problem with myoclonic jerks after switching generics?? I am trying to figure out whether North Star has more or less of lamotrigine than others. I'm inclined to think it has MORE just because I haven't had a seizure, and Lamotrigine has been found to increase myoclonic jerks... and I can't imagine that any fillers would be a trigger.

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Terrible reaction to Northstar. Gastro-intestional issues, bad. Switched back to Taro, problems went away.
All my blood test came back normal as I believe my colonoscopy will. Doctors need to take their patients more seriously.

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I was switched from Teva to Northstar by the pharmacy and had a breakthrough seizure at week 3. I take 400mg/day for seizures and mood stabilizers. I am back to Teva now and things are back to normal. I contacted my neurological about this and I am concerned that he will report me to the DMV and I will have my license suspended. I put the pharmacist on notice about this and will insist on the Teva brand from now on.

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My pharmacy switched from Dr. Reddy to another generic, and I started to itch. It took awhile to figure out the problem. I had no idea of the differences among generics of the same drug. Now, the pharmacy switched to Northstar. The itching is back, and I have mild chills, mild aches in the joints, mild headaches... sort of like when I have a slightly elevated temperature. I'm switching pharmacies, and the new one has ordered Teva. I start that in two days, and I hope to feel good again.

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Now I get my Doctor to write the prescription "Dispense as written" and then to specify TARO BRAND which is the generic Lamotrigine that I haven't reacted badly to. The side effects I have had from others - especially North Star - have been horrible. Having my Doctor specify a manufacturer to the pharmacy has worked well for me. Lots of pharmacies carry particular manufacturers for certain drugs because they are getting the best price from that one, and otherwise cant or won't special order.

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I use my neighborhood pharmacy for all meds, but they only carry Northstar Lamotrigine. I have to go to a pharmacy an hour away to get the Taro brand. Driving 2 hours is worth the trip, though, to have the medication that works best and doesn't have any horrible side effects, and they always keep it in stock, as well as other brands.

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I'm glad it's not just me! I switched pharmacies and in doing so, generic brands. The drug levels in my system have varied widely since going on Northstar and I'm lucky to not have had any breakthrough seizures. I'm working with my doctor now to find something else. I've heard good things about Teva and Taro and can find both near me.

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Yes. My pharmacy just switched my generic pills to north star. This is day 4 and I feel terrible. Nausesous, dizzy, and overly druged. I have taken lamictal for 10 years and never had this reaction. Also, the 150 and 200 mg pills look exactly the same so it is dangerously easy to mix them up and give yourself the wrong dose. Not good. Glad to hear others are having the same problem.

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I have had the same issue!!! I have been taking the Taro brand for depression for 2 years and have not had any issues (with exception to increasing or decreasing dosage symptoms). My pharmacy switched to North Star and after 3 weeks, I have had terrible anxiety, insomnia, irritability, felt teary for no reason, lack of energy, reduced libido, headaches, joint aching, etc. So I called my pharmacy and asked them to order Taro. They said they would try. I can't wait to get Taro again so that I can feel normal :(

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I have been taking the Taro Lamictal for just over a year now for my epilepsy, I was switched to this from Keppra because of Keppra's terrible side-effects. I had a refill that had both the Taro and Northstar in it, I didn't really think anything of it, I started taking the Northstar and within that same week of taking it I has another seizure. My doctor has now put on my script that I can only have Taro, unfortunately my pharmacy isn't carrying the Taro anymore. I don't know what Im going to do, Im having a really hard time finding it. But Im glad I'm not the only one that has had problems with Northstar. My neurologist explained to me that in order for it to be approved by the FDA as a generic that only like 20% of people need to have it work for them..The Northstar made me feel terrible. Im worried if I can't find the Taro what I'm going to do.

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Lots of side effects going on with Northstar. Feel like I'm not taking any meds at all for bipolar ii. Joint cramps, depression, agitated, mild anxiety, bad dreams, headaches, and paranoia. Haven't switched back to previous generic, but will very soon -feel like crap for no reason.

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I just got switched to a Northstar generic, on one I have been taking for years. I have had various generic company's in the past for this RX but this is the first time with Northstar.
At first it was It was like taking nothing, I just figured perhaps I was in more pain that usual so the effect wasn't as good. But it continued to happen, and then my hands, feet, ankles and intestines started to swell. (mind you, I never even had swollen ankles with any of my five pregnancies) I then started to get really, really sick, nauseous a little, but itching in my legs and arms. I thought I would lose my mind. It took me a few days before I was able to narrow it down to the Northstar generic. It was so bad I wish it would have just finished me off. I took mega benedryl yesterday and it started to recind, so just for assurance, i took a half a tablet today and sure enough, here comes the sick, the itching, everything. Again, the benedryl and the holding on for my crappy life. My life sucks bad enough I don't need any help from an outside source.

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Re: Nicole (# 75)

I am so bummed that Amazon switched my lamictal 200 mg to Northstar. First, the pills are large and I can’t swallow them so I need to break them in half. Second, when I was prescribed northstar lamictal a few years ago (just one Rx), it didn’t work at all. Third, I have been feeling very cry-y for the past few weeks for no reason and wonder if it’s the northstar lamictal. I hate it but it’s near impossible to get Amazon to give me a different manufacturer.

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Re: Carol (# 71)

NorthStar at Amazon Pharmacy for the 200mg Lamotrigine pills. They gave me Unichem for the lower doses which worked well, I was afraid to try the Northstar brand until I came across the forum. I will be starting the Northstar 200's tonight, I am trying to remain hopeful!

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Re: Ann (# 73)

I meant 2012 or 2013

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Re: AM (# 57)

This is horrible. I to benefited from northstar. It eased my feeling of feeling like I was on a chain. The lamictal from northstar was so therapeutic in 2014. Why would they get rid of it? If anyone finds something similar help.

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Re: Drew (# 70)

Never heard of par..back in 2014 Northstar made me better. Maybe they've changed in quality..but lamictal hasn't been as effective since I stopped taking Northstar. Dr Reddy's is a horrible company!!! I agree with her on that!

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Re: Arlene (# 68)

Late reply but yes I agree..when I started lamictal generic it was Northstar at cvs..when I started feeling worse it prompted me to check bottles..they got rid of Northstar. I'm looking for a pharmacy that has Northstar. So far no e.

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I have noticed a significant decrease in effect with Northstar. Temper is worse. Fuse is shorter. Patience is diminished. Northstar and Dr. Eddy’s are cheap and known to be ineffective and/or have negative side effects. I met with my doctor today and told her the pharmacy had switched me from PAR to Northstar. Her eyes bugged out and she told me that is the worst possible manufacturer to get. That and Dr. Eddy. It’s disconcerting that they’re allowed to put their version on the market but I guess if you have super mild symptoms then it might work.

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Have been taking Teva Lamotrigine for years to treat bi-polar with good results.
Got new health insurance and switched pharmacies. New pharmacy refilled my Lamotrigine with Northstar. Have noticed more mental exhaustion and moodiness. Switching back to old pharmacy and Teva even though I have to pay a bit more. Thank goodness I found these posts - now feel saner.

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Re: Austinkid (# 66)

Chewing the med makes it work faster. Never take the TEVA generic!!!! I got chest pains and suicidal thoughts. I was taken to the ER because of this brand. It could kill you!!! I have always taken Northstar. It works best!

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Re: Chick 58 (# 50)

What did he put you on? I'd love to find something else to help me sleep.

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