has anyone taken the generic for topamax and it not worked?

Hi doodle,

I would think that it should work the same. The difference in generic brand drugs is "fillers" they use, the active ingredients are the same. Is the dose the same as it was before? Are you experiencing any triggers, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, any wacky weather going on, that may be giving you more Migraines right now? Migraine triggers may be playing a role here too. Of course these are just some thoughts for you. Here is some information on triggers that may help: Migraine Triggers.

Good luck

Nancy

Doodle,  I work in a pharmacy and I take topamax.  I switched to the generic when it became available and have noticed no change.  Generally speaking, the active ingredients are the same in name brands and generics, only the inactive ones are different, so unless you happen to have a sensitivity to one of those I shouldn't think you would notice a difference.  I haven't had any of my customers mention a problem yet.  Perhaps there is another situation that happens to be occuring simultaneously.

YES I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GENERIC TOPAMAX.  My pharmacy switched me 3 weeks ago and a week later I had 4 migraines in 7 days.  Now I can't get my insurance company to pay for the brand name Topamax!  My doctor has called the insurance company and now I have to go through an appeal process to get them to pay a co-pay of $40 instead of me having to pay $298 for 60 tablets.  I'm sorry you are having the same problem, but glad I am not alone.  Would love to hear from anyone else who is having problems with generic topamax.  It may help us with insurance company appeals.  Thanks

Thank lord, I finally found someone other people on my side...  I picked up my 90ct script two weeks ago and have a moderate to severe headaches everyday, i have spoken to the pharmacy and my doctor and they have all said that its the same drug and they have had anyone else with bad experiences that they are aware of, I was beginning to think I was just crazy, I have even tried upping my dosage myself, I typically take 75mg every night, but for 3 nights straight I took 100 and still have not seen any change or difference.  Topomax was my little miracle pill, and now Im right back where I started from.....

Alichele, I am so sorry to hear it is not working for you, but glad it is not just a couple of us.  I am still struggling to get insurance to pay for the brand but they won't.  

Today is a beautiful day and I have a migraine.  Odd, since my trigger is bad weather.  My headache diary (oh yes, I keep one) is totally out of whack since switching to generic topamax.   What do the so-called "experts" have to say about this?  I hope others will share their stories. 

I just started generic topamax about 1 week ago.  I have had 2 migraines just this week--one of which was VERY severe--nausea and vomiting--in bed for 12 hours.  Relpax and injectable imitrex did not work as usual.  This is the first severe migraine I have had since titrating up on my topamax almost 2 years ago.  It does make me wonder if the generic form has caused this.  Please let me know if others are experiencing the same problems.  I can get brand name 25$ vs 10$ per month.  They just automatically fill with generic if I don't request. 

Topomax, neurontin, depakote, cafergot, imitrex (bad reaction, had an attack of angina, thought it was a real heart attack) you name it, I've tried it. I have Barometric Pressure migraines, and they are absolutely the hardest to treat, they don't even really know why storms, rain, very high humidity, will cause my brain to swell beyond the confines of my skull, only treatment for that is a cup of very strong cup of hot coffee, instant relief, blood vessels constrict immediately. This is then followed by the worst pain I have ever experienced, worse than post-operative pain, nothing comes near this migraine pain except demerol, 200mgs, and for at least 4-5 hours, I have true relief from pain, but not from the accompying symptoms, vertigo, ear ache, nausea, acid reflux, vision problems, inability to sleep, to name a few.

I've been on generic topamax for about a month or two now and have been having a lot of trouble with my headaches. I get a headache after I'm up awhile and then if I take something for it as usual, it might go away, but then return in a couple of hours. This is not normal for me. Usually the medicine will take my pain away and it stays away. But this new pattern has emerged just since I've been on the generic topamax. Not even my Imitrex keeps the pain away. I wouldn't think it would be any different myself, but it's the only thing different in my life that I can put my finger on. I have generic Imitrex also, but I haven't tried that yet. I've also heard that it can be ineffective as well. It might be the manufacturer, I don't know. I'm going back on the brand name Topamax and see what happens with my headaches. I have more headaches in the hot and humid weather anyway, but nothing like this.

I am so happy to find this site, first of all, and second of all, glad to know I am not alone in having problems with generic topamax!! Finding the right dosage of topamax took quite a while for me but once I did it was like a miracle drug. I has 99% less headaches per month. Then the switch, Its been two months on the generic, and I am hivinng up to 10-12 headaches a month with many of them so severe even my maxalt won't help. My insurance won't pay for brand and I can't afford to pay it myself. I am distraught and don't know what to do. Does anyone have a solution?!

I ACTUALLY TAKE 100MG TOPAMAX 3X DAY FOR BIPOLAR - I HAVE BEEN ON THIS MEDICATION FOR YEARS - YES I WOULD CALL THIS MY WONDER DRUG - IT HAS HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY - RECENTLY WITH THE NEW MEDICAL WORLD OFFERING GENERIC TOPAMAX I HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE - GOT MY MEDICINE FILLED AS USUAL GOT HOME OPEN THE BAG AND TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS GENERIC - I THOUGHT NO BIG DEAL AND WAS WILLING TO TRY AND THINK NOTHING OF IT - WELL LITTLE DID I KNOW YES I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENCE - I HAVE HAD HEADACHES - EXTREME NAUSEA - AND TIRED MORE THAN EVER - I KEEP PLAYING IN MY HEAD OVER AND OVER THAT IT WAS JUST "IN MY HEAD" - BUT I HAVE HAD NO LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND NO DIFFERENCES IN ANYTHING I HAVE OTHER THAN THIS PARTICULAR MEDICATION - SO RIGHT NOW I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOT WANTING TO HELP SAYING NOT APPROVED FOR BRAND - BUT HOPEFULLY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY DOCTOR WE CAN WORK THE KINKS OUT AND GET THIS BACK ON TRACK - BECAUSE YES THIS GENERIC AND BRAND DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE - AND ANYONE WHO SAYS IT DOESN'T LET THEM TRY IT FOR A WHILE - TRUST ME IF I COULD I WOULD GET OFF MEDICINE ALL TOGETHER BUT IT'S JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE - I AM SICK AND SOMETIMES YOU NEED HELP - WELL HOPE SOME OF THIS HELPED SOMEONE OUT THERE - GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING TROUBLE AS WELL

Yes, there is a difference between the brand and the generic. I have just finished reading an article on generics versus brands where they did a study on them. It seems that they are pushing generics out so fast today that no one is really on top of them and they are finding differences. Personally, I found that the side effects are more exaggerated in the generic Topamax and I also found that I got more nagging, frequent headaches with it. Fortunately I was able to switch back to the brand without too much trouble. Anyone on the generic, I would really try to go back to the brand. It may not matter for the epilepsy, but it seems to make a difference for migraine.

I've had migraines for 39 years and have not tried the generic topamax yet but am trying to get it from Canada, since I presently have no insurance.  My point is that even taking Topamax I would still get migraines, not quite as frequent and not so severe.  If I experience triggers it doesn't matter what I take!  I hurt.

Good luck, keep trying and God Bless.

It's been two months now on the generic and I'm calling my doctor today to put me back on the name brand........I'm back to 'square one' - waking up with migraines every day again. I thought maybe it was just me and ran this 'search' to see if anyone else out there was having problems with the generic. I HATE THIS STUFF! All the side affects (spaciness, lack of concentration, tingly fingers) and none of the migraine relief.

japes

I just switched to generic topamax, and I even did it gradually, by taking one brand and one generic pill together for the first week, " just in case."  I really did not expect there to be a difference, though.  Now two weeks later, I am waking up every day with mild headaches that last all day and also experiencing vertigo.  At first I thought I might just have a 'bug,' but after a week with no change, it suddenly hit me that it may indeed be the generic topamax, because it seems to be a lasting problem.

I have been also taking the generic topamax for about two months and I wake up every morning with a dull acheing headache. The topamax is supposed to prevent migraines but if this is what it is going to do I may just quit taking it all together and take my chances with the full blown migranes. I havent had but one to two a year since starting the topamax three years ago. This generic stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been on topamax for over 3 years, and never generic until just the last 30 days. I decided to give it at least a chance. My migraines have not only returned, but pain in my jaws, blurred vision and the side effects that I NEVER had with Topamax, the pins in my feet. I am also now experiencing a notable drop in my potassium levels, I will NOT be made to take a drug, just because the govt says this is more affordable to your insurance company when it effects my health and makes it worse than it was to begin with. This is will not be tolerated as you should not tolerate such as this either. I would advise anyone who is having any symptoms that are out of the contrary to fight against their insurance to make them pay for the Topamax, sighting that your health is a risk factor if you continue to take the NEW generic drug which has btw not been on the market long enough to know what all the side effects of it really are.

Good luck and God bless US ALL!

I too have been taking the generic for Topomax for 2 months now and find my migraines have returned.  I have had nagging headaches everyday and now am waking up with the migraines that I thought were history.  The only change has been the generic drug.  I found this website wondering if that could be the problem, not knowing if there was a difference between generics and brand drugs.  I know they are supposed to be chemically the same but the effectively, there's a difference. 

I have been taking the generic for a month or so not thinking that might be the cause of my daily migraines until I read your post.  I had an appt. with my Neurologist and told him about the return of my headaches and insurance not covering Topamax anymore and only 9 Maxalt which I only used to need that many.  This had been the first two months I needed more Maxalt because the Topamax wasn't working. My doctor got so upset but wrote out my prescription for medically necessary Topamax this time.  My pharmacy will fill it, but for a cost of $341.00 for 120 25mg. pills compared to $7.00 for the generic.  I'm going to have to search around for lower prices. My pharmacy was covering the Topamax until it suddenly started substituting the generic without my knowledge.  I definitely feel there is a difference in the two medications because I have been affected by the switch without knowing what it was. 

For a year and a half I have been successfully taking topamax for migraines. It has been a miracle for me. About two months ago when I got my prescription refilled it was switched to a generic because of my insurance coverage. Since then I have noticed a difference and I am back to my excruciating migraines that I had been virtually free of for the year and a half. I am devastated!

YES!!!!! I too had probs with the generic. My Doc fought with my insurance and after two months they paid for the brand name Topomax. EVERYONE who is having probs need to email the FDA. I DID they give you a link to report your problems and dsymptoms. They need enough complaints to begin an investigation. My pharmasist says that some generics can be off by a certain percent from the brand and many people are sensitive to this. I believe this med was pushed onto the market too soon and we are suffering for it. BOMBARD the FDA with all your complaints about this med!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had problems too.  It has been getting steadily worse as the brand got out of my system and the generic got into my system. 

I feel like I feel when I am off my meds, almost like I am not even taking Topamax. 

I called my pharmacy today and they said they would fax my Dr. and take care of it. 

I had terrible problems with the generic and ended up in the emergency room. Didn't associate my problems at first with the switch to the generic. It took a few days. My headaches came back and I was dizzy and diagnosed with labrythinitis (sp). Finally went on the internet and found others were having problems. Paid out of pocket for name brand and all problems went away.

Filed problems with the FDA under medwatch and suggest everyone does. This can help call for an investigation. The generic forms are not the same. Not bioequivalent. Probably they are absorbed differently.

I take Topamax for epilepsy and my pharmacy switched me to generic by default when it became available; within a month I was having auras, weeks after that, full-on seizures.  I went to my neurologist and she specified to my pharmacist that he was to give me the brand name of Topamax, not the generic (which costs me $35 as opposed to the $10 for generic) which I am more than happy to pay...fortunately I have heard no complaints from my insurance company...the bloody prescription runs retail at $1300.00 a month! (my epilepsy requires 500mg a day to control).  It's been a couple weeks now and things are thankfully back to normal.  This is what worries me about this new healthcare bill; do you think the government is going to let us choose Topamax over Topiramate to control our seizures/migraines?  Do you think they're going to go with less costly or more effective?

I have made the switch about 3 months ago and have had headaches ever since!  I wake up okay and within 45 minutes I have a headache that will linger all day!  I have pain meds that I have prescribed to treat them but I have to take them so frequently I feel like I depend on them!  That is bad!  I feel like the doctors think I am a junky calling for more meds because I simply cannot take the pain!  I have 3 children at home that run and play LOUDLY and that doesn't help much either but do they care?  NO!  I just wish my headaches would go away for good!  I have had daily headaches for 5 years now after having meningitis!  I finaly have found relief with Topamax for about a year until "THE SWITCH"!  I am so angry because who are you?  The doctors think you are crazy!  Anyways, Just add me to the list of people who knows there is a difference! 

I have been taking Topamax for 7 years for Bipolar Disorder.  I had tried about 8 different drugs before trying Topamax.  Finally I had found a drug that worked for me.  It has continued to work for me for the past 7 yrs until a couple of months ago.  I gained about 5 pounds over the past 2 months, I cannot sleep or concentrate, etc. I had just attributed it to stress until I began reading on the internet about how others who had switched to the generic are experiencing changes in the effectiveness of the drug too.  I submitted a report to the FDA via MedWatch.

Yes, I had my insurance carrier call my Dr. and have him switch me to the generic without my consent, I have had headaches with in 7 days after the switch.  I have almost fainted countless times.  The headaches are worse and they had been under control, now I am back to 4-6 a night.  I am trying to reach my Dr. since we have moved I now have a new Dr. to have him switch me back to brand.  I have sent a complaint to the FDA medwatch website about my problems and they did get right back to me.  I suggest that every one let them know about their problems.  On the web site Patient Assistance under the generic of Topomax, it states to seek immediate medical attention if you have headache or dizziness. So that is what I am doing and going to have him put me back on the brand.  Research the internet, you will be amazed.  Let me know.  Thanks, and good luck.

I and a friend have noticed the same problem.  Have started back with my same cycle of waking with 2-3 a week or everyday of it's a particularly rainy week which this summer in OH it has been.  Talked to my MD and asked him to write my scrip for no generic and am paying out of pocket $116/month for 60 tabs.  Get a little break from insurance, it would otherwise cost $298.  I just can't keep waking with these, taking my imitrex, and then throwing up so I can go to work.  The name brand Topamax was working great for me.  Perhaps if word gets out that enough of us are having the same issues the insurance companies might change their payment policies regarding the generic like they do for seizure patients?

I am SO glad to find this site! I've been taking TOPAMAX for several years, found it very successfully controlled my migraines. The last two years I've only needed "acute meds" once each year -- even then, the headaches were not that severe.

My "prescription by mail" pharmacy switched me to generic topamax (much to my shock) five weeks ago. I began taking the new pills about a month ago. The last four days I've had the worst headaches I've experienced in over two years. This DESPITE the fact that I've experienced NONE of my known triggers (and I've kept track of my triggers since 1983), and that I had gone through a much more stressful period last spring with NO migraines at all!

Cause and effect is pointing strongly to SOMETHING wrong with those generic pills. It seems to me that this situation merits investigation. Is anyone checking?

I could cry......I thought I was the only one!  The exact same thing has been happening to me!  In face I am going to print this out and take it to my Dr. tomorrow!  I can't get my insurance to pay for the name brand and I have been on generic for a couple months and have been miserable!  Headaces almost everyday....just like before I got on my magic pill of brand topamax!  Then a year later they took it away from me!  I cried!  I have a headache going on as I type this......I know what is coming. :-(

I just recently changed neurologists and went in for my first visit a few days ago due to me being out of work 80% of the past 2 months from migraines.  I asked him about the new generic Topamax and if infact generics are equal (I have never gotten a doctor to admit generics are inferior).  He said flat out that alot of generics are inferior (not all, but quite alot - Wellbutrin XL comes to mind!) , and if I could manage to get my insurance to pay for brand name Topamax I should.  He offered to write a letter.

My insurance won't cover an inch of the brand name cost and the last time I checked I believe it was priced at $197 for 60ct.  If I can manage to fit it into my budget and keep my job I'll let everyone know if it works out!

Yes- terrible migraines for 2 months ever since switching to generic. I was on Topamax 100mg once a day for yrs. I have increased to 200mg of generic and it is like I am not on anything I had to go to urgent care today. This is terrible!

I take it for headaches and neuropathy, in my thigh, and it does not work, especially for the neuropathy. I am taking 300 mg instead of my usual 250, with no relief. This is a disgrace.

My insurance company forced me to switch to the generic and I have also begun to have debilitating migraines again.  Unfortunately, to switch back to the brand name Topamax, and live a normal life again, it will now cost $203 per month, instead of the $50 per month I was paying.  Just how am I supposed to afford this?

I can't believe so many people have the same problem.  I started taking generic topamax 2 months ago and my headaches "came back" also.  Recently I have also been feeling exremely tired and fuzzy headed.  I have had migraines since I was 3 and this medicine was the first time something had actually done something about it.  Now it seems they are an enemy too.  I can't afford the real stuff, no insurance, self employed (2 employees auto repair shop).  I feel like no one cares for Americans who work hard and try do to whats right.  I hope for everyones sake on this website someone shuts down the producers of such "fake" products.