Some people can have problems switching from the name brand to generic. You can have the doctor write daw (dispense as written I think that is)......


I have not heard of them discontinuing this med. I would call another pharmacy and your neuro to confirm this...

You are right, they should contact you since many have problems with switching suddenly. Other people do fine going to generics....

I have also been told that this drug is being discontinued by CVS pharmacies and the pharmacists at the hospital I work at. They've stated that they think this is an issue of supply and demand...not enough demand. This doesn't suprise me. I've been taking this drug for over 12 years and I've never used a pharmacy that would stock this medication due to not enough people take it. They always had to order on demand for me. I'm not looking forward to the transition back to generic because while it worked for me, it didn't work as well for me. I'm also not looking forward to that midday dose that I'll have to start remembering again!

My doctor switched me from carbamazepin (tegretol) to carbatrol (tegretolXR) because of the problems w/generic tegretol and they didn't make a generic XR. Now the patent has run out and generic carbatrol is being manufactured and distributed. I still get TegretolXR from my pharmacy, cuz the DR. ordered it and not the generic, but my sister has made the switch to generic w/ no effects YET. All I know is the generic tegretol caused alot of problems w/ me and others I knew, especially in the 80's and 90's. If the generic carbatrol has the same problems as generic carbamazepin, then I say pay the extra for the brand. Contrary to what they say, NOT ALL generics are the same as brand. But then, what do I know other than the fact I've been taking Tegretol and XR for 26 yrs. Get the name brand!