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One other thing about Dilantin

Tue, 04/27/2004 - 14:50
I have been told by physicians and pharmacists that generic Dilantin does not work as well as the name brand. So insist on name brand Dilantin.

Comments

RE: One other thing about Dilantin

Submitted by WashkuhnR on Wed, 2004-04-28 - 21:34
Stefvie,I've had seizures all my life and dilantin was one of the first drugs I took. My teeth and gums started to bleed because it was bad for my gums. Many others had this problem so keep an eye on that. I'll try to explain the generic vs name brand and see if you can understand me. Generic drug makers are very good at what they do, however, when a drug company buys generic drugs they buy from the company that happens to be cheapest at the time, so of course the may buy from one company today and someone else next week. The first company keeps its drugs a consistant strenght, and the second keeps theres the same, however the first company isn't necessarallly the same strenght as the first. So when you take 300mgs from the first company you may have to take 450mgs when they change to a different provider to give you the same strenght. However since you prescription calls for 300mgs thats what you get.And it may be to week. I hope that helps you understand. Good luck to you, Bob

RE: One other thing about Dilantin

Submitted by stefvie on Thu, 2004-04-29 - 19:47
Hey Bob,I think the DILANTIN I'm using is brand name. It's from Parke Davis 100mg caps, at least that's what's written on the caps.Paid 16$ Canadian for a 2 month supply (180 caps). I find that price pretty low... (this is actually the very first time I buy prescription medicine, so I have no idea what's the price range for such meds).As for side effects, I don't know when they'll occur. I've been taking 300mg per day for 30days now. To my knowledge, nothing is showing yet. I'll be going for a blood test in the coming days to check the dilantin concentration in my blood stream.Cheers,- Stef.

RE: Being new to Epilepsy...

Submitted by Ragnarz on Fri, 2004-05-07 - 15:31
I took Dilantin, along with Depakote for about 18 yrs. I had reasonable siezure control for those years. I had to learn that just taking the meds is not enough. Getting proper rest, no drinking( I do love beer!), eating right and keeping healthy( avoiding colds, flu, etc.) all contributed to remaining siezure free as possible. I no longer take Dilantin or Depakote because it won't absorb into my system to have any effect. So, I'm in the trial phase of finding a new medicine that will control my siezures. My neurologist has me now on Trileptal and Keppra. He initially had me on Trileptal and kept raising the dose until the siezures went away. The unfortunate side effects of the high dosage to stop the siezures was extreme dizziness. So, he lowered the dosage on the Trileptal and started me on Keppra. Now the dizziness has gone away and I'm actually beginning to gain a clarity of thought that I haven't experienced in a long time. A positive outlook is probably the greatest strength you can have and you seem to have it! I know I won't let the disease control me. I'm going to do my best to control it. Matt

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