Generic prescribing for epilepsy has recently become a controversial topic. Many antiepileptic drugs (AED) are considered to have narrow a therapeutic index. This is a cause for concern because the more narrow the therapeutic index, the greater the risk for toxicity and possible adverse effects. Not all AED’S have narrow therapeutic ranges, but many, such as Tegretol (carbamazepine ) has been known to have narrow therapeutic range, which can increases the likelyhood for therapuetic differences. There have recently been reports of individuals experiencing adverse events such as breakthrough seizures and toxicity upon switching from brand name AED to generic.
According to “Science Direct”, in one study, a survey was taken in which a great number of neurologist respondents reported problems with breakthrough seizures and increased side-effects in at least one of their patients with epilepsy upon switching from brand name to generic AED. Ultimately this study and other findings suggest that benefits related to generic prescribing of antiepileptic drugs are outweighted by its negative adverse effects.
Source:
Kristina Fiore, Med Page Today, August 24 2009
http://www.medpagetoday.com/ProductAlert/Prescriptions/15665
P. Crawford, M. Feely, A. Guberman, and G. Kramer, Science Direct, April 2006
