Teva worked the best but not being produced. Many brands of the generic made me dizzy and nauseous until I found the company Teva. Bad news, Teva stopped making the tablet and only makes the generic extended release and my insurance company doesn't cover it. They want $700 for a month supply. The tablets cost less than $10 for the same time period. Question: does anyone else have this issue. What brands work for you. My pharmacy's carry the brands taro, Unichem and Alembic. What are your experiences
What brand lamotrigine has the least side effects?
Question posted by Michael4444 on 28 Sep 2018
Last updated on 8 March 2024 by SmartSelf
30 Answers
SmartSelf
8 March 2024
Lamotrigine can cause mania. I had mania due to it and restlessness. Learn relaxation and meditation.
AmyC31
30 Aug 2021
I have been feeling 'off' for a few days in a way that was hard to explain - dizziness, vision problems, a bit of shakiness, slightly numb in my fingers and lips. It was such a weird feeling, and it got worse over the course of a few days. Finally my father asked if I was taking any new medicines, and I said no, but, wait, 5 days ago my prescriptions for lamotrigine got filled at Walgreens instead of CVS after my doctor had an issue communicating with CVS. I was taking Taro brand (1 200mg pill in the morning, 2 25mg pills at night), but Walgreens gave me Unichem.
Everything made sense, and I realized what I was feeling was similar to psych med withdrawals, and also an exaggerated version of what happened in the past when I got a different generic brand of Cymbalta.
Had just gotten a 90-day supply of both, paid for by insurance, but there was no time to deal with them - I need the other brand *now*, before I have to take my 50mg tonight. Walgreens said they could order the other brand and it would arrive tomorrow afternoon, so I had them transfer it to CVS, which is currently filling it with the Taro brand.
Long story short: for me, Unichem bad, Taro good. Worst side effects I've ever had switching between generics. I'm so sorry to everyone else who's had to go through this.
WildcatVet
30 Aug 2021
It just goes to show you that everyone responds differently to any medication. I've been taking UniChem for months now with no side effects. Prior to that I must have used at least 5-6 other generics and had no problems with any of them either.
So the simple answer is that the "best" brand is the one that works for you.
Sammie1210
11 May 2021
Alembic pharma’s Lamotrigine works best for me. North Star is good also. I’m out of network to get it from Wahlgreens with my only choice being TARO or Unichem. With TARO, I’ve watched the backslide, more naps, irritation, and weight gain. After seeing my progress using Alembic 7 months straight, I knew something was wrong. I take a 200mg and 100mg in morning. I’m guessing companies have capitalized the use of 150mg twice a day in same bottle. As patients, no one knows better of what’s working or not. After calling different pharmacies to see manufacturer and the fact I can do nothing to change this is upsetting. A report was sent to the FDA.
Chay55
11 March 2021
Hi. I don't know how old your question is but I'm on lotramogine 200 mgs. I just started it 2 1/2 months ago. It has SERIOUSLY saved my life. The first two months I was talking the generic by the manufacturer Alembic. But starting the third month my pharmacy filled it with Unichem. I am in SERIOUS MANIC OVER LOAD! this is THE WORST GENERIC EVER! I can't even begin to tell you how horrible my side effects are. I feel like I'm WIRED! I'm way over the top emotional. Can not handle even the smallest things. The other day I was going to the store and I went to tell my daughter goodbye. I had my purse in hand about to walk out the door when my daughter says, " mom, you only have one shoe on. I had no idea. It's much worse than that but too much to fit here.
The reason I'm answering you is I saw you were going to try this generic, DO NOT DO IT!!
Just yesterday my Dr told me that Teva sold it's formula to Alembic. It's the same as Teva. I can testify to that. I had NO problems on the Alembic brand. It was PERFECT! So I hope this helps. Everyone is different in how they handle generics. I've already called my pharmacy and let them know to only fill with Alembic. Now I just need to find some way to get through the rest of the month. Honestly though, I don't think I'm going to be able to. I'm gonna have to get my Dr to let me get a different script, NOW for my Alembic. I can not take another 15 days on this. I don't think I can make it another day.
WildcatVet
11 March 2021
It's very true that everybody responds differently to every drug... or rather I should say to the inert ingredients in all medications.
I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible reaction to the Unichem formulation of lamotrigine. I've been taking it for almost six months and have felt no difference in it than any other of the various generics I've used.
I hope you can another script quickly and get back to your normal self again!
Matryoshka
25 Feb 2022
I just recently switched to Olembic from Orabindo. A short while back my chemist gave me Taro, worst experience ever. It felt like it wasn't even doing anything for the depressive side of my bipolar. It just made me feel, wrong. that's the only way I can put it. I was getting Orabindo for awhile from that chemist and they gave me what they had left, said they couldn't get any more of that brand in. So I switched to another chemist, in hopes they had Orabindo. They didn't, so they refilled me for a week with Alembic, to see how that brand works for me and then they said they would give me another to try. But this Alembic seems to work even better than Orabindo. I feel actually optomistic, something that hasn't happened before on other brands. But I will give it a few days to see its real potential before i make a snap decision to stay on this brand. The only other brands my chemist carries are Unichem and Torrent.
But from what I read on here, those other two brands don't sound good, but everyone is different as I am figuring out. It's all in those darn fillers, I tell ya.
Manu_new
10 Feb 2021
After teva discontinued lamictal, I tried different generic manufacturers and found unichem to be the best. It’s just as good as teva for mood and energy.
Other options that I explored-
- GSK (Brand Lamictal) has a patient assistance program where you get the med for free, I am told to qualify for this,household income needs to be less than 65k for a family of four.
- You can order teva lamictal from Canada through online Canadian pharmacies. You can google pharmacychecker and find the verified pharmacies.The problem with these pharmacies is the shipping time, they normally dont do express shipping and it will take more than a month for regular shipping.
Hope this helps!
AnnaOregon1991
11 July 2020
I have been on Lamotrigine for about a year now as prescribed by my psychiatrist from Oregon Health and Science University. He has seen thousands of patients and says every patient that has been prescribed meds from the manufacturer TARO has reported feeling either horrible side effects and worse depression/anxiety or no relief at all. I can speak to this as TWICE my pharmacy accidentally gave me Lamotrigine from TARO and both times I felt incredibly depressed and anxious. Now I make sure as hell they only give me these 3 manufacturers he highly recommends: Unichem, Accord, Bluepoint (Actavis only for Lorazepam). He trusts no other manufacturer for Depression/Anxiety medications and he is the top psychiatrist at the top hospital/clinic in Oregon so I HIGHLY recommend his advice. It is very scary hearing how poorly regulated medications are from these sketchy manufacturers.
Hope this is helpful for someone!
*pro tip: Rite Aid carries Unichem for Lexapro and Wallgreens carries Unichem for Lamotrigine
Tsweet
21 Jan 2020
The Lamictal has always worked best for me. If you don’t have insurance or need help paying for it, you should sign up at
Bridges to Access- GSK patient assistance. Mine is completely free and they automatically ship every 90 days.
Michael4444
21 Jan 2020
Please let us know how to apply. I tried and filled out the application and they turned me down. My wife and I are on social security and make $1000 over the max. Besides they only offered a 90 day supply per year. What do I do for the other 9 months. I’m happy for you if they are renewing every 90 days. I spending $150 a month from Canada.
Tsweet
21 Jan 2020
I’m single with no insurance is probably why I get mine for free. Regardless, I print and fill out the application, send it and my prescription (written for 90 days and 3 refills), and a copy of my tax return.
Dave9136
19 Jan 2020
I had been taking the Jubilant Cadista lamotrigine for about 4 years without any problems. I went into my pharmacy, CVS, about a month ago to have a new prescription filled and was told that the Jubilant Cadista brand was on back order and wouldn't be available again for another 2 weeks. Well, the 2 weeks turned into a month and while I was waiting for it to become available again, I was given and was taking the lamotrigine from Taro. Yuck... I was able to tolerate it, barely, but didnt feel nearly as good as I was feeling when I was taking the generic I had been taking. And in addition, there was a filler in the Taro brand generic that I noticed wasnt in the other lamotrigine generics that's long term safety couldnt be guaranteed. Fortunately, the Cadista brand is not on back order anymore. I started taking it again today and feel much better.
Emback
6 Jan 2020
Im taking 100 lamotrigine for non epileptic seizures. Every time they switch the company or I change to a different Walgreens, I Cant stop going to the bathroom. Chills sweats.
Mimi1205
6 Jan 2020
Is there any way you can back track to a time before you had adverse side effects? You should be able to contact the pharmacy you were using at that point and ask what generic brand they were giving you. Then you can request that from the pharmacy that you currently use. They may have to order it, but I have rarely had a pharmacy tell me they won't order a specific generic brand if it's what I need to use.
sunshinedaydream77
25 Jan 2020
SOMETHING needs to be done about this, it is frightening to try and think what they are putting in these drugs as fillers, and always be aware some do not have the same bioavailability and just may not work. Good luck to all.
Mimi1205
25 Jan 2020
Long post alert :-). Another thing that I have done, which I didn’t know was possible, is had a blood test for the bioavailability of the generic lamotrigine that I was taking at the time. That would arm you with information that might make a difference to the pharmacy you go to. Unfortunately if you‘re like me, CVS or mail order are the only two choices I have with my current medical insurance. I definitely won’t go with mail order because you would never know what you’re getting. One CVS store told me they don’t see all of the patient information when they bring up your profile to fill your prescriptions. According to them it says I prefer that generic brand but they can’t for whatever reason put that I need that specific brand. Not too sure I believe any of that. If they ever can’t get that brand I am pretty much stuck with going to a different pharmacy and paying a higher price, or taking the name brand.
I have researched the limiting to pharmacy brands to see if my employer can actually do that. Apparently it’s something a lot of employers are doing to save money. In the meantime I’m paying a higher co-pay. I have also found that different stores are more cooperative than others. Out of the three in my immediate area, the one that’s farthest away of course is the best one to go to. Definitely shop different pharmacies under the same corporation. I found this to be true after a recent experience having a horrible time with the store closest to me. I hope at least some of this information is helpful to some of you.
WildcatVet
10 Feb 2021
Without the fillers, binders, and coloring agents all you would have is a pile of white dust.
Industrial Hempnaut
28 Nov 2019
Unichem contains lactose and my wife claims she throws up weird white (stuff). So obviously that would make it not work as well or at all. The incidence of lactose intolerance in the chronically ill has increased far faster than we thought it could. They should really be held more accountable to the finer points of life.
nazariev
5 Nov 2019
Two different pharmacy gave me two different brands of lamotrigine: Cipla and Torrent Pharma. I’m taking 100 mg. So I was switching brands from time to time. Cipla brand worked great, but I noticed that when I was taking Torrent Pharma brand I was experiencing slight headache, anxiety, insomnia and slight lack of energy. Can’t find any information why it cause different reaction.
aishasolo
2 Sep 2019
First, I’m very grateful for everyone’s contributions to this thread of responses. I have bipolar disorder, and join my voice to all of you who mourn the loss of Teva. I just found the site this morning and was eager to see if there was a preponderance of responses for or against NorthStar or Zydus. I found only a couple of mentions of the former - not rave reviews - and almost 100% negative reports on Zydus. These are the only two brands I can find in my area. Walgreens carries Unicom, but the side effects were awful, so I’ve been using Zydus (it doesn’t even look like lamotrigine!). This has produced insomnia and I have a hard time getting going. I’m also more emotionally vulnerable than I had been on Teva. Has anyone else out there used the North Star?
WildcatVet
30 July 2019
I've never had any side effects from any lamotrigine generic but for what it's worth I've been taking Northstar Rx LLC for a long time.
Hopefully you'll find a product whose fillers and binders don't affect you. They may vary slightly from different manufacturers but they are all inert ingredients.
Once you do find one ask your pharmacist to special order it for you. You may have to spend a few more pennies but it would be worth it.
Mul3822
30 July 2019
I was taking Unichem for 6 years and felt great. My insurer changed the preferred to Taro and it felt like I had not taken my meds. I tried it for 2 months before I spoke with my Pharmacist. My pharmacist said he had the same feedback from other customers taking Taro. I petitioned my insurer, I'm taking Unichem again and feel good.
RealAnise
12 Nov 2019
I love Taro (I just wish they made an XR formulation!) BUT... I found some info that might help to explain why some people do not do well on it. I saw a graphic chart of how the blood levels work for all forms of lamotrigine, including brand. The levels don't really change for any of them and are pretty much the same once the peak amount is reached. But the shape of the graph looked completely different for Taro than for all the rest because the onset of action was more delayed, gradual, and "sloped." Maybe this causes problems for some people who take it, for whatever reason.
parkerbeth
17 June 2019
All the other generics had horrible side effects for me. Loss of balance, blurred vision, no recall, clumsiness, loss of executive function, messed up sleep, you name it.
Since fall of '18 I have tried 4 different lamotrigine generics (Alembic, Unichem, NorthStar, Zydus), for 2 months each, all with a broad variety of horrible side effects the same as everyone else here has listed. I was unable to perform my job or have any quality of life. I kept detailed records of pills, doses, side effects throughout the several month ordeal and finally went to discuss with my neurologist. She said that with all the symptoms I described, it sounded to her like I was overmedicated. So upon my asking, she gave me permission to go from 150mg twice daily to spread out the dosing 3x day: 75mg am, 75mg afternoon, 125 mg at night. I HAVE MY LIFE BACK!. Side effects GONE.
So, in my case for whatever reason it seems all the other generics acted much more strongly in my system than did the TEVA, all of them causing the whole host of side effects that come from overmedication. If your neurologist would consider your list of symptoms and altering the dosing/timing, I would say it is completely worth a discussion!
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paracetamol teva, bipolar disorder, vertigo, lamotrigine, side effect, generic, insurance, tablet, brand
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