Ok, maybe this is old news to everyone, but it’s just come up where I am in the last few weeks… so I’m assuming maybe others out there don’t know.
For anyone who takes Keppra-
They’ve come out with a generic which is causing some degree of havoc for people taking it for seizures. Talking to a couple doctors and pharmacists, it is not advisable for most of us with seizures to take the generic because the levels of chemicals in the pills will not remain constant refill to refill (or possibly even pill to pill). My neuro has had an influx of patients who have been admitted to the hospital after suffering seizures because they chose the generic and their levels dropped OR even worse, the pharmacy just gave them the generic without asking. Please be careful!!
Also, if your insurance is like mine, your price will skyrocket for Keppra since there’s now a generic available. BUT, if your neuro or prescriber can write to your insurance company explaining that the generic is not an option for your specific needs (seizures) then the insurance company will most likely restore a higher level of coverage for the prescription. I have heard from my doc and the insurance agency that almost all appeals of the Keppra generic have been approved. I’m telling you this because I didn’t know this was even an option until now and I don’t want anyone to be stuck paying too much for Keppra if they can avoid it.
I hope this helps someone!
I had a problem with this several months ago…they switched me to generic keppra and I had a large increase in seizures. You are right about them giving you the generic instead of the other…they didnt ask me. But now everytime I get it refilled I say NO GENERIC!!! I think they should always ask but of course they dont.
Yeah,Seems weird that they wouldn’t ask. I agree. I guess it’s happening a lot though. I know that docs can make a note on the prescription itself, but I bet a lot don’t and some may not even know the danger if they’re not a specialist. Glad you’re ok!
Brittany said:
I had a problem with this several months ago…they switched me to generic keppra and I had a large increase in seizures. You are right about them giving you the generic instead of the other…they didnt ask me. But now everytime I get it refilled I say NO GENERIC!!! I think they should always ask but of course they dont.
yeah…it took a couple weeks to return back to normal and getting used to it again. At first we had no idea what was going on.
Beth said:
Yeah,Seems weird that they wouldn’t ask. I agree. I guess it’s happening a lot though. I know that docs can make a note on the prescription itself, but I bet a lot don’t and some may not even know the danger if they’re not a specialist. Glad you’re ok!
Brittany said:
I had a problem with this several months ago…they switched me to generic keppra and I had a large increase in seizures. You are right about them giving you the generic instead of the other…they didnt ask me. But now everytime I get it refilled I say NO GENERIC!!! I think they should always ask but of course they dont.
Thank you Beth
I do take kepra and I did not realize there was a genertic or look to see if my cost went up becasue of it. I will be looking into this immediately. Again Thank you Thank you Thank you
Whew… figured there had to be someone besides myself who didn’t know yet
Lee Ann said:
Thank you Beth I do take kepra and I did not realize there was a genertic or look to see if my cost went up becasue of it. I will be looking into this immediately. Again Thank you Thank you Thank you
