Carbamazepine/Tegretol for bipolar disorder?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:55:28 -0800

What should I expect when taking Carbamazepine/Tegretol for bipolar disorder? Should I expect it to do something clear in regard to the depression? I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and that's explained quite a number of things. Generally, I've been told I have unipolar depression, but after a period of pretty much going batshit taking Effexor, I was told this (among a number of other i-thought-unrelated problems) is a clear sign of bipolar disorder and was prescribed Tegretol. What should I expect? There's supposed to be a "mild" antidepressant effect, but how long should I wait until it happens? I've only taken it for a day so far, and it seems to have quelled the noise in my head quite a bit, at the least setting a speed limit on my thoughts, helping me function with average situations without getting anxiety attacks from being immediately overloaded with emotions. Should I hold out for a boost in my mood? I'm still feeling pretty grey, but it's not as bad and while I'm functioning I think I could be doing better. My psychiatrist said that a low dose of Welbutrin (as "regular" doses send me into mania) will be the next step if my mood doesn't pick up, and I know I have all sorts of personal tells in re: my mood, but I want to know some of the hivemind's experiences.

Are generic and brand name drugs exactly the same?

samh23 — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:05:17 -0800

Is it possible for me to experience different side effects on a generic drug vs. its brand name equivalent? The drug in question is neurological. I take Tegretol for epilepisy (siezure control), 200mg twice a day. Yesterday my doctor gave me a new writ, and I took it to a new pharmacy. I didn't realize they gave me the genetic Carbamazepine until I got home. Figuring it was exactly the same, I didn't worry about it.

Now I feel tired, somewhat out of it, and most humorously, I am slightly slurring my words. It's like I'm on a bit of cold medication. None of these side effects are uncommon for the drug. But I've been taking Tegretol for 20 years -- I'm very familiar with it. I didn't experience these effects (or experience them to this degree) on the brand name. That said, I could just be tired, sick, stressed, etc.

Is it possible that Carbamazepine is the culprit? Shouldn't the two drugs be exactly the same? I mean, a chemical is a chemical...right?

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Carbamazepine/Tegretol for bipolar disorder?

Are generic and brand name drugs exactly the same?