Q. My husband is suffering seizures after being forced to switch to generic levetiracetam (Keppra). I can buy the brand for $735.00 per month, but at 62 years of age we can’t afford to spend this much every month.
I am afraid that one day I will lose my husband because of the seizures. This is a matter of life and death.
A. Other people with epilepsy have reported seizures after being switched from Keppra to generic levetiracetam. A recent review of 89 studies found that patients with epilepsy sometimes experience seizures when they are switched from brand name to generic or between different generic manufactured products (AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, Dec., 2011).
It is sometimes possible to get brand name medication free from the manufacturer if you and your husband qualify for patient assistance. You might also want to explore the possibility of purchasing the brand-name drug from a reliable Canadian pharmacy. You could save quite a bit.
To help you understand the pros and cons of generic drugs and how to find affordable brand-name medication, we are sending you our Guide to Saving Money on Medicine.
Ask your husband’s epilepsy specialist whether a ketogenic diet would be beneficial. This alternative approach requires careful medical supervision but it may lower the amount of medication needed for seizure control.
