Washington, DC, May 12, 2009- The Epilepsy Foundation recently announced findings that show people with epilepsy, whose seizures have been controlled with a consistent drug therapy, have a greater chance of increased seizures, greater side effects or sudden death when their medications are switched from one version of an antiepileptic drug (AED) to another, whether the switch was brand-to-generic, generic-to-brand or generic-to-generic.

"We strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration to inform patients and their doctors about the possible dangers of medication switching, and we're calling on the FDA to do more research into this matter and to develop a standard that ensures equivalency and safety for all patients," said Eric R. Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation.

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 people with epilepsy, reveals that seizures worsened for 59 percent of people who had switched from a brand-name to a generic AED, while side effects increased for 49 percent of that same group. Additionally, seizures worsened for 15 percent of those who had switched from a generic to brand AED, while side effects increased for 18 percent of that same group. Furthermore, more than 25 percent of respondents reported experiencing problems after switching between different generic formulations of an AED.

"Brand names of medications have different formulations than their generics, and generics also vary from each other-in the exact amount of active ingredients in the drug as well as with the amount and type of filler ingredients included. These variations can mean the difference between being seizure free and suddenly having a seizure while driving on the freeway," said Dr. Brien Smith, senior staff neurologist and medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Henry Ford Hospital.

To highlight the concerns raised in recent studies, the Epilepsy Foundation is filing a Citizen's Petition with the FDA, has sent alerts to neurologists and pharmacists across the country, and developed a Web site (www.epilepsyfoundation.org/medicationswitching) to empower patients with information and the ability to share their experiences with medication switching.

The following videos contain:

1. Kris Hansen's story - Kris Hansen's husband and daughter experienced breakthrough seizures after having their medications switched. They recently had to give up their home to afford medications.
2. Crystal Armstrong's story - A pharmacist switched Rodney and Crystal Armstrong's son's medication without their knowledge. He began having breakthrough seizures. Because they had received an e-mail warning about switching between different versions of drugs from their local Epilepsy Foundation affiliate, the Armstrongs realized what had happened.
3. Michelle Chapman's story - Michelle Chapman hadn't had any seizures for 12 years when her pharmacy switched her from a brand name medication to a generic. She's started having seizures again, and has lost her job.
4. Animation of generalized & partial seizures inside the brain.