can generics work differently?!!!!!!

[Sunnytoday]

Can you have an aura without a seizure? 2 different questions, but important.

Basically, I just switched to a generic seizure control medication 2 days ago- and today was the first time since last fall that I had an aura (or something) and thought I was going to have a seizure. It happened so fast- I was standing there and suddenly it just waved over me and I thought "NO!!".... it was this weird feeling of odd dejavuah (it's hard to explain) ... and I just knew in my stomach that I was going to pass out and have a seizure in front of these kids  and then I got this feeling like I had ice inside my skull and a huge weight on my body and started to go fuzzy and then it went away... and I was all slow speaking and a little freaked out becuase that is exactly how my seizures had started last fall, but then they progressed. I guess this one decided not to????? I feel fine now.

So, exactly how do generic medicines work? Do they not control things like the other non-generic medicines? I'm kinda scared to drive now!!!!!!!! My mom says we'll just watch and if it happens again we'll go buy the regular medicine. What's the difference?

~Sunnytoday~

[kwarendorf]

Hi LO - Welcome to the group.

THis thread is pretty old. It was last updated over 5 years ago. WHile Dr. Quix is still aound, she checks in only occaisionally. I jut doidn't want you to think you were being ignored :-)

Kyle

[leveloff]

There is a huge difference in generic drugs. Not only from the brand name drug,but each generic works differently. Some not al all!

[SickMomma_PDX]

I don't know anything about seizure medication. But I do know that thyroid medication can vary from the brand names to the generics. My dad had major problems with generic Synthroid and it took months to figure out what the problem was that was causing his levels to go up and down so much. He had switched to generics to save money, but his endocrinologist told him to go back to the brand name Synthroid and it made a big difference.

I had a similar problem with generic Levoxyl for my hypothyroidism. My current endo puts on the prescription form NOT to fill with generics because he's seen that problem happen too many times.

I do use generics for most other medications when it's available, and I haven't had a problem. You might ask your neurologist and/or pharmacist whether they have seen any problems with generic seizure meds. My pharmacist also recommends against generic for thyroid meds but says they're fine for most other things. (She also recommends against generics for birth control pills, fwiw.)

Hang in there, and I hope it was a one-time thing!

[Sunnytoday]

opie- mom thought of that- and had me check my sugar. It was fine (81) and my BP is very good today 115/75 with a pulse of 93 (i'm happy with it, it's pretty good!).

but you're right, it could have been the heart. who knows.
~Sunnytoday~

[Rena705]

Hey Sunshine...just to let you know that back when I was having seizure regularly, I had Aura's all the time without the seizure...frustrating and scary but it did happen regularly so it could very well have been an Aura.  

The other side of it is that perhaps your doseage needs to be adjusted.  I had to try several different meds at different dosages when I first was diagnosed so maybe you should speak to the dr. that prescribed these meds to you.  After all, an aura is usually a warning of impending problems that are bigger than the aura itself so if I were you I would look into it.

Let us know how you are making out ok?

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[opie74]

Maybe it was not a seisure coming.  It could be whateveris going on with your heart.  What is your bp?  

[Sunnytoday]

thank you, now I won't have to worry it's the medicine, I have to wonder what else did it, or what it was
~Sunnytoday~

[Quixotic1]

Generics are identical in the active ingredient.  Often the same company makes both the brand and the generic.  They put the brand in a bright purple capsule with yellow stripes and the generic in a dull, uninteresting white capsule.

In the early days of generics - the 80's - there was some problem with a few generics in some meds.  It had to do with proper dissolving and delivering the med to the body.  This is still true in a few pediatric meds that are in solution.

Nowdays, there should be no difference at all like Jen says.

Example - Bayer Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) - more expensive paying for Name and Advertising

generic - plain old aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) cheap as dirt, just as good.

I always choose generic.

Q

[Sunnytoday]

thank you

[jensequitur]

There should be no difference in dosage from the generic to the name-brand medication.  Seizure medication kept you from losing it, but your brain still had the aura - and you might have had a little partial seizure.

[saveone]

I may not be right but my understanding is the active ingredients have to be the same.  It is the inactive ingredients that may be different.

Sending you a smile... terry