What Is The Best Generic Of Lamictal? (Page 10)

I've been taking the generic for Lamictal for about five years. Recently I've been feeling different at about the beginning of the year. I use to take the white ones but now I am taking a generic by Taro. What is the best generic for this drug? I never really payed any attention until I started getting this crazy migraines. If anyone has any insights it would be much appreciated.

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Re: Raechel (# 175)

Thank you! Your info is very helpful. Walgreens told me Tarro was discontinuing there product. Im glad to know it’s not true

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Re: Connie (# 181)

Yes, Hope checked with Taro back in January - you can scroll down and see her post below - and she said that Taro confirmed they were not discontinuing. Taro Pharm was very surprised that Walgreens was having trouble ordering and said that anyone should be able to order. I suspected that Walgreens corporate in my area was putting a restriction on the local Walgreens ordering certain RXs outside their contracts. Hence, I just went with Costco, since there's one down the road. But, I'm fortunate to have one so close.

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After successfully making the switch from Teva to Taro (thanks to everyone for the guidance), my Walgreens hasn't been able to get it this month. Once again, I contacted Taro Pharmaceuticals USA to find out what is going on. I was told that the 200mg WAS on back-order, but was released on the 13th of May, and should be making its way through warehouses and distributors. She assured me it is NOT being discontinued - yay! So, if you're having trouble getting it and being told it is discontinued, it is not. I know that I, for one, am just very nervous about the possibility after the Teva discontinuation.

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Re: Hope (# 183)

Ahh good info. You could probably have your doctor call in a script for twice as many 100mg pills and just take 2 (200mg). Thats actually what I do now and probably why I haven't had any problems getting the Tarp version. I used to split the dose (morning/night) so that's why my script is written in 100s.

Thanks for info!

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I’ve been taking lamictal for about 20 years.
Teva was , in my opinion the best. Since it is no longer available, i get Tarro. There is a blood test ,to see if you are at a therapeutic level.. Your dr can give test, which measures level, maybe its to high.or to low.range “on your bloodwork.The generics can vary up to 20%. .

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So I tried both Taro and Unichem for a couple months each. Did "ok" on both but still up and down moods.

I'm currently trying a "branded generic" lamotrigine called Subvenite by OWL Pharmaceuticals (non-profit). Basically they went through all these extra hoops to get their specific generic its own NDA so your doctor can write it for ONLY that kind. They're making these for a few seizure meds since epileptics can have serious issues w/ bad/changing generics.

It's only been 2 days but I do think it's working better than "Unichem" which I was on for the past 2 months. Pain in the ass to find a pharmacy that could order it even w/ a script. I did find an independent pharmacy that got it next day though so I'll just use them from now on. Praying it works well as my go to Lamictal generic (TEVA) was discontinued. Brand (which I took until 2008 or whenever it went generic) was about the same as that. Only $16 with one of those app/coupon things.

If anyone else has taken Subvenite it'd be cool to hear your experience. I'll followup w/ mine after I use it for a longer period of time. Currently taking 250mg and have been taking Lamictal since 2007 (Brand, TEVA, then tried Alembic, Taro, Unichem)

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Re: PeteWashington (# 186)

Hi Pete. Any updates? Did this medicine seem to work as well as Teva?

Better than taro or unichem?

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I went back to Taro. I still don't think it's doing what Teva (years ago) and brand did but it could be due to other things I'm taking. If anyone has found a good solution please post. One alternative I've considered is Lamictal ODT (oral disintegrating tabs).

Did anyone switch to extended release? Any good generics of that variety?

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Re: PeteWashington (# 188)

This has been such a nightmare the past year or so.

After Teva discontinued I started using taro and my depression was coming back. I then went back in brand for 2-3 months and then started having extreme panic attacks, numbness in arm, extreme thirst, heat sensitivity, and was basically the sickest I have been in the past 10 years.

Switched back to taro and within 3 days all the side effects went away. The only problem is Taro doesn’t work as well as the Teva did for the depression. I was taking 200mg of Teva for 10 years and never ever had any issues and my moods were stable. Up to 300mg of Taro and it’s as if I’m not taking anything. Such an f-in mess.....

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I’ve tried many generics, Teva was best but now discontinued. Taro is next best, i had to have my dose increased. Maybe you dr consider increasing your dose would be better option in my opinion.

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Re: Connie (# 190)

How much was your dose increased? Did you notice Taro works just as well with dose increase? What are the differences from your experience?

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Re: Larry (# 191)

Increase 100mg of Taro Lamictal to compensate for difference.

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Costco by me (I am in San Diego) just changed their contracted generic to Unichem (from Taro). Can't get me Taro any more. Guess I'll have to give Unichem another trial.

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Re: Connie (# 12)

A brand name drug can vary 20% from its stated dosage, according to FDA regulations. There are some exceptions to this rule for drugs that require a tighter tolerance to be safe. It's interesting that in the USA, liquor and other alcohol containing products must be within 1% of the stated proof, and pharmaceuticals can vary 20%. This is not to say that generics are the same as brand. What you're getting in a generic is anyone's guess. Look up the pharmacy Valisure for a source of generics that are evaluated to be what they claim to be (what a novel idea right?). Also, go to your local library and check out a book called "Bottle of Lies" for an interesting investigation into the generic industry.

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Re: Matt (# 194)

Thank you for the tip on Valisure!! Going to try them. Taro has kept me steady but I guess there can even be variations between batches (one was recalled for ex ugh).

They have tested Unichem at the moment fwiw. Going to try it and will report back.

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Re: PeterWashington (# 195)

Called Taro this morning - Lamotrigine is NOT being discontinued, and has indeed been on backorder...triggered by the recall of the 100mg. Should be making its way back to suppliers soon - they are still getting shipments in, and have more ordered...but then it has to get to a supplier for individual pharmacies to be able to get it. This rep told me that the Walgreens supplier is AmerisourceBergen (ABC). Why does it have to be so hard to get a generic that we need from a specific manufacturer??!! Anyway, I am going to get Unichem from Walgreens for one month and hope that I don't crash... maybe by next month the Taro will be available again.

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Re: Hope (# 196)

Thank you SO MUCH! When Costco (who fills my RX and uses Taro as their preferred brand) said they were on backorder, I was having mad-flashbacks to our chaos a couple of years ago. I tried calling Taro three times last week and kept being sent around the place on their local and their 800-number. I just gave up b/c of time. So I am very grateful to have the info you provided.

I wondered if it had something to do with the challenge they had with the 100mg Taro contamination. Thank you, thank you!! I wish you the best on Unichem. I was able to grab an extra month's worth at a Costco that had a couple of bottles left in stock, so hopefully it'll last me until the supplier gets it back in the stores.

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Re: Hope (# 196)

Hope, if you see this I'd love to hear how the transition to Unichem has been. My best!! -PW

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Re: PeterWashington (# 198)

Due to pharmacy confusion, and my waiting on Taro, just picked up Unichem yesterday. I have some Taro left, and am planning to work in the Unichem a bit at a time...hoping that by next month Taro will be available again. Walgreens is getting testy about ordering it for me. Have you made the switch to Unichem, or anybody else out there?

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Any updates from anybody on their generic trials? I've stuck w Unichem for a few months after a pretty good run w Taro. I was on 200mg forever. It just recently went up to 300. Side effects ?muscle aches in neck/shoulder) seem particularly bad. I'm wondering if this is a Unichem thing.

Considering going back to Taro. Wish Teva could just come back :/

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