Hey, so I was wondering if anyone here has had any issues with generic meds not working as well as the name brand. We've been on generic Keppra since Shadow started with the seizures, and when we refilled the other day from Costco they'd switched manufacturers on us. Lo and behold, we had a cluster of partial seizures this morning. I honestly can't say if it was due to the switch or just because she had some breakthroughs recently, but the prescription was significantly cheaper this last time.

I've been doing some reading and there are anecdotes all over the place saying generics aren't working as well, and my vet said she's seen some issues as well. Most worrisome though, is that they are finding that drugs made in India are having significant problems, to the point that the FDA is banning drugs from certain manufacturers over there. I'm going to call Costco this afternoon and ask some very pointed questions, and do what I can to prove if the meds might have been the problem.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen problems along these lines.

I don't have personal experience with it, but I do know that legally, generics can have up to a 3% (or something close to that) difference in formulas and still be allowed. Some medications that doesn't make a difference in, but others it can really affect how it is presented in some people/animals. Birth control is one where the swing in generics can really affect people.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that law...

Makes me worry about my generic birth control that the Navy pharmacies carry

I had a problem with one called bupropion. I'm on it for ADHD, and the original generic I was put on was supposed to be an extended length variety that would last the entire day. It's the kind of med you have to slowly introduce and step up to. I finally got the the correct dosage, and after two days I had a full blown panic attack. I honestly thought I was having a heart attack and went to the ER, my blood pressure was sky high. Scary and crazy. Stopped with that right away and my doc put me on the regular release without an issue.

When the generic first came out, the people that were on the brand name got switched by their insurance to the generic, and many complained it wasn't working properly and didn't have the same effect (it's also an antidepressant and used for smoking cessation). After a long time and a lot a red tape there was finally a study done and it was found that the generic version was 'dumping' into the system, so there was a much higher concentration right after taking it. Later in the day it would wear off.

So although, technically the active ingredient is the same, the other ingredients don't have to be and the metabolism of generics isn't tested. All that is tested is the chemical formula of the active ingredient and the amount of active ingredient.

blueeyedghost wrote:

Interesting.  I wasn't aware of that law...

Makes me worry about my generic birth control that the Navy pharmacies carry

Lol. I wouldn't worry. It's not any less effective, just people who are very sensitive to different hormone levels see different side effects than expected.

So I called up Costco this afternoon and talked to them. The current Levetiracetam is from Solco Healthcare, and although they are a US based company, their drugs are made in China. Not happy about that. He dug around and was able to find 240 tablets of the old stuff, and are now being held under my name for our next couple of refills. That will give me 2 months worth. Those, however, are from Boca pharmaceuticals, which is made in India and the FDA has found massive problems with Indian made generics to the point they are banning a lot of them. I need to poke around and see how cheaply I can get the real stuff...

Thanks for the information Meredith! I would of never thought of this when it comes to medication. I think we ate going to have to start nikolai on the medicine this week (had another one this morning) so I will be sure to ask these questions and look about actually getting the real kepra. I hope shadow does better soon! I just think it's crazy how nothing has to be labeled with this kind of stuff!