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Faulty batches of generic lamotrigine tablets 鈥斅燼n anti-convulsant drug commonly used for treating bipolar disorder and epilepsy 鈥斅燼re being dispensed to patients in Australia. The compromised product is likely a result of poor-quality controls during the overseas manufacturing process, according to a new study published in Australasian Psychiatry.

used mass spectrometry to analyse six lamotrigine preparations distributed in Australia and two generic versions of the drug used by two patients reporting side effects.

鈥淭he findings are not suggesting that all generics are universally compromised. But our analyses do indicate some compromised lamotrigine medications are being distributed in Australia,鈥� said聽the study鈥檚 lead author, Gordon Parker*, Scientia Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health.

Substituting a medication for a generic with the same bioequivalence as the branded version is usually considered safe unless otherwise medically advised. But any changes to the bioequivalence, even in inactive substances, can compromise a drug and its effects.

The analyses of the two individual generics showed an increase in lamotrigine concentration compared to the non-generic brands. Although it isn鈥檛 certain whether the compromised product alone could explain the patients鈥� side effects, Parker said it鈥檚 unlikely they were just experiencing regular side effects.

The two patients with bipolar disorder in the study reported adverse reactions after taking a generic lamotrigine preparation. The first developed side effects, including spots, lumps and blisters following the switch to a generic brand on a low dosage. The side effects reportedly ceased on return to the non-generic, even at an increased dosage. The other 鈥� who was not previously prescribed lamotrigine 鈥� developed breathing issues, chest pain, hot flushes, nausea and a worsening depression on a low dosage.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not that one particular product is bad, but the generics they were taking seem to be associated with some reasonably toxic side effects, and the irregularities we found from the assays support a faulty batch explanation,鈥� Parker said.

While lamotrigine generics aren鈥檛 a 鈥榣ower quality version鈥� according to the study, there is anecdotal evidence that patients using different brands of lamotrigine experience different effectiveness in mood control and we can presume the same for seizure, Parker said.

鈥淧atients sometimes report to me that certain generic antidepressant or antipsychotic drugs are less effective than the non-generics but the rate of suggested ineffective generic lamotrigine drugs appears quite distinctly higher,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rare, but some will also report side effects after starting a generic after having no side effects on the non-generic. The rate of that phenomenon is higher in lamotrigine than for any other medication I prescribe.鈥�

Quality control

The study also investigated the products鈥� manufacturing origin and transportation conditions. Five of the companies contacted stated their product was manufactured in India, with transport to Australia by ship or plane. Only three companies confirmed the product was temperature controlled and checked following transit.

It鈥檚 recommended lamotrigine is stored at a temperature below 30 degrees to not compromise the product. However, the six products in the study showed no distinct temperature effects when heated or cooled.

鈥淚t鈥檚 possible that being transported to Australia, they might be exposed to excessive heat or cold and may break down. But we suspect there are some manufacturing sites where the product is being compromised or contaminated after receiving TGA approval,鈥� Parker said.

In Australia, companies must show evidence of their medications鈥� pharmacology, efficacy and safety before receiving approval from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). But pharmaceutical companies may not be aware of manufacturing quality control problems.

鈥淭he faulty batches likely reflect some on-site manufacturers having poor quality control processes, and the pharmaceutical companies may be quite unaware of what鈥檚 going on with their manufacturers,鈥� Parker said.

Previous concerns about the safety of medication switching have led to major inquiries about the quality of lamotrigine overseas. In New Zealand, reports emerged in 2019 of , leading to parliamentary petitions and a Coronial inquiry. However, no recommendations were made from the inquiry since the evidence did not show a clear link to brand switching.

But later that year, Medsafe 鈥斅爐he New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority 鈥斅� that 鈥渋f you have already switched brands and are stable, do not change brands again鈥�.

According to the TGA, there were , including four deaths, between January 2018 and February 2021. Despite this, Parker said the issue is still flying under Australia鈥檚 radar.

鈥淭his should signal a possible canary in the coalmine phenomena that the TGA should be urgently looking into,鈥� Parker said.

Declaration of conflicting interests: A lamotrigine manufacturer has sponsored Gordon Parker to give lectures on bipolar disorders and purchased books written by Gordon Parker on the same topic.

Image credit: iStockphoto.com/Sewcream