Bipolar Disorder Support Group

lamotrigene is worse than lamictal for taste it tastes like vomit if you don't get it down on the first try then it is in that stupid shield shape so it can be hard to swallow.

I think I remember something about a pharma company trying to copyright flavor. Argh! I have that shit.

Oh, you shouldn't switch between generic labels.......... I take lamotrigine (blackcurrant flavour, actually yum).... was given lamictal once by the pharmacist... was advised never to switch (they are not pharmacologically the same obviously)...

Of course generics and brand are the same chemical - or the generic would not be approved. But, generic may have different INactive ingredients that people that people may be sensitive to. Or, the drug may be absorbed at a different rate.

Non of these matters for long term use, really. The only case where generic was not good, was when I tried (OTC) Target's ranitidine (Zantac). Because less drug is absorbed (or maybe it was plain expired, I didn't check), I had rebound heartburn.

The only cases where I was told not to mix generic with brand name was thyroxine, where I would need an extra blood test to find the new dose, and when I was taking warfarine, and with that one I would really observe the no-mixing rule. The levels of warfarine are so easily changed with simply eating more or less broccoli, lettuce or such, and the limits on toxicity are tighter than lithium. It's a nasty, nasty, life-saving drug.