title: Therapeutic equivalency of generic antiepileptic drugs: results of a survey.
abstract: Controversy persists whether generic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are interchangeable with brand name drugs with respect to efficacy and adverse events. Three hundred and one neurologists responded to a survey regarding generic AEDs mailed to 6420 neurologists, for an overall response rate of 4.7%. One hundred and ninety-six (67.8%) neurologists reported breakthrough seizures after a switch from a brand name to generic AED; 93 (32.2%) did not. One hundred and sixty-three neurologists (56%) reported increased side effects in their patients after a switch from a brand name to generic AED; 128 (44%) did not. Fifty-two (18.4%) neurologists agreed that the Food and Drug Administration standards for AED bioavailability are sufficiently narrow; 231 (81.6%) did not.
authors.affiliation: Suite 317, Americas Building, Newport, RI 02840, USA. Andrew.Wilner.MD@aya.yale.edu
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Wilner
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003625:Data Collection; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D016568:Drugs, Generic