Seizures/Keppra/Generics/Need Info (flashes, doctor, prescription, insurance)

[eloyfan]

Hi Everyone,

Our 16 year old son began experiencing seizures last July. We had every test done that one could think of. He was prescribed Carbatrol but the symptoms are starting to return and his neurologist agreed to switch him to Keppra.

My wife went to pick up the prescription and found it was written as the generic. Folks she polled at her large company said either they have never had the generic for their child, or were persuaded to go with the brand name.

We are reaching out to any and all with experience in this situation to see if:

a.) Keppra, works well for you? Any bad side effects (we heard temper flashes can occur).
b.) Generic okay? What would NOT be suitable with the generic vs. the brand name.

Many thanks in advance. We are sick of seeing our teenage boy sitting there in total confusion and unaware of his surroundings at unpredictable times.

[Alf_Rocks]

Ask your pharmacist/doctor to explain the therapeutic index. It is preferable for a drug to have a high therapeutic index, as does Levetiracetam.

Contrary to popular belief, generics and brand are not ALWAYS equal nor do generics undergo vigorous clinical trials. Additionally, each brand of generic medications may be slightly different. So, what may work well one month, may not work well or be as well tolerated the following month. It is nearly impossible to request a particular brand of generic medication. With brand name medications, you will receive the identical medication each month.

I never allow any loved one to take a generic unless the original brand is no longer manufactured.

I hope you are able to find a treatment plan that works well for your son.

[eloyfan]

Originally Posted by Alf_Rocks

Ask your pharmacist/doctor to explain the therapeutic index. It is preferable for a drug to have a high therapeutic index, as does Levetiracetam.

Contrary to popular belief, generics and brand are not ALWAYS equal nor do generics undergo vigorous clinical trials. Additionally, each brand of generic medications may be slightly different. So, what may work well one month, may not work well or be as well tolerated the following month. It is nearly impossible to request a particular brand of generic medication. With brand name medications, you will receive the identical medication each month.

I never allow any loved one to take a generic unless the original brand is no longer manufactured.

I hope you are able to find a treatment plan that works well for your son.

Alf_Rocks, Thank you very, very much for this information.

[Aptor hours]

Originally Posted by Alf_Rocks

Ask your pharmacist/doctor to explain the therapeutic index. It is preferable for a drug to have a high therapeutic index, as does Levetiracetam.

Contrary to popular belief, generics and brand are not ALWAYS equal nor do generics undergo vigorous clinical trials. Additionally, each brand of generic medications may be slightly different. So, what may work well one month, may not work well or be as well tolerated the following month. It is nearly impossible to request a particular brand of generic medication. With brand name medications, you will receive the identical medication each month.

I never allow any loved one to take a generic unless the original brand is no longer manufactured.

I hope you are able to find a treatment plan that works well for your son.

I guess I have to agree with you on that one. I don't know if you can get the pharmacist to really agree with you for sure. You will also have to get your doctor to write the prescription "medically necessary" plus probably get a prior autorization from your insurance and be prepared to pay a much higher co pay. I have had many people say the generics on some drugs just don't quite measure up but I don't feel like the pharmacists really care or they feel like the patients are to stupid to know what they are talking about

[eloyfan]

Originally Posted by Aptor hours

I guess I have to agree with you on that one. I don't know if you can get the pharmacist to really agree with you for sure. You will also have to get your doctor to write the prescription "medically necessary" plus probably get a prior autorization from your insurance and be prepared to pay a much higher co pay. I have had many people say the generics on some drugs just don't quite measure up but I don't feel like the pharmacists really care or they feel like the patients are to stupid to know what they are talking about

That sure makes sense. A generic I took for a short time for other issues did not do the job. After the doc switched me back to name brand I was fine again.

Thanks for your input. Welcome anything I can get!