Is generic of Keppra safer than the real brand of Keppra?
Patient: Hello, Is taking generic of Keppra ok rather then taking the real brand of Keppra? Seems like I have to keep increasing the generic med. what does the brand name have in it that the generic doesn t have. Perhaps the ingredients of the generic that are missing is what I need? Problem is the real brand is so expensive. Doctor: HiI am Dr Mittal.I have read your message.I think I can help you.While I cannot really comment on the quality of the generic medicines in my current position, considering your opinion that you need to increase the dose of generic kepra continuously, I would suggest avoiding the generic version.Kepra is an anti epileptic medicine that contains levetiracetam. This is a very important drug and you should not miss the dose or take an inadequate dose because you may develop seizures and this may be devastating depending on the circumstances when you develop the seizures. Besides, brain cells die with every seizure that you develop.So if you feel that the generic version is inadequate, avoid it.I agree with the fact that Kepra is expensive. Again, I would like to withhold the reasons why that is so since that will not gain us anything in the current discussion. However, there are many other brands that are now marketing levetiracetam at a much more affordable prices. The brands will depend on your location (that I am unaware about from your current query). A few brands in INDIA are Levipil, Levefree, Levepsy, Levera, Torleva etc. You can look into your pharmacy as to the other options available and buy a medicine that suits your affordability.If all the brands remain expensive for you and you are not satisfied with the generic drug, I suggest meeting your doctor and discuss starting cheaper antiepileptics like phenytoin, phenobarbitone etc. Of course, every antiepileptic has a fixed use, and so you cannot take any random medicine. So you need to meet your treating doctor and discuss the other options with him/her, so an alternative medication can be started as per the type of seizures you have.I have tried to make it as simple and as useful for you as possible. Please feel free to contact us for more information as per your further specific query to my response. Best of luck, Dr Mittal