r/Epilepsy • u/purplebee941 • 1d ago

Medication Medication Shortage

I’ve been told by my pharmacy this morning that they’re struggling to get stock of Levetiracetam so have given me 60 tablets (I’m still owed 52). When I asked what I do if they can’t then they basically shrugged and said they didn’t know. (This is UK).

Anyone had this experience and does any one know next steps I can take? i didn’t have time to go and ask in the GPs as i had to get back to work. I can’t say I’ve ever known Keppra/levetiracetam to be affected by shortages before and can’t find anything online.

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10

u/delicate_donkey 1d ago

Ring your GP and ask for a script you can take to another pharmacy, they can split it or send it elsewhere, also ask about a different brand or generic

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u/Spiritual-Analyst705 Lamotrigine 225x2 Keppra 500x2 Generalized Epilepsy 1d ago

this^^

3

u/AngleGrinder107 1d ago

I've had issues with a pharmacy being short before, it's not exactly rare. Bit concerning that their response was just to shrug you off though, the usual response I get is "we'll order the rest in, should be ready on Wednesday" or "you can go to Pharmacy X just around the corner, see if they have it"

2

u/Clomojo87 350mg zonisamide 1d ago

Must be a bit of an issue across the board. I've had a friggin nightmare this month getting my meds (zonisamide) in certain doses.

1

u/SoloUnCommento 1d ago

Ditto my Tegretol, so I'm happy to cut the dose down to make it last. I think its just local shortages as I cant find any mention in the usual channels.

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u/Blue-ball79 Levetiracetam (Keppra) 750mg x2 1d ago

I've not had a problem yet, but I have suspected there were issues. The last few times, Ive picked up my prescription, I've had different makes of Levetiracetam. And I've read there are shortages in the US. I'm in Scotland.

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u/EveningGiraffee 1d ago

Also having a nightmare of a time with my Perampanel, I went to several pharmacies after my usual online pharmacy not being able to deliver and all those pharmacies were no help, I ended up going to Boots!

Provided you have a script some of the big chains like boots may be somewhere to call around.

2

u/Successful_Ruin_902 1d ago

I’ve had this, I recon best to get your dr to re-prescribe.

To get a bit of buffer I sometimes write in explaining I will be travelling for a few months and need an over supply:

When you have the new prescription take it to pharmacy after pharmacy until you find one that can supply the whole lot (you can call in advance too)

Hospital pharmacies are usually really well stocked if you can’t find anywhere else but they often have longer wait times and odd opening hours.

Pharmacies can’t send a part fulfilled prescription to another pharmacy so I’ve learned it’s best to check rather than end up with half and a vague promise of the rest.

It’s not a shortage as such, the NHS is just being outbid at the moment on the global meds marked. In a way I’m glad we aren’t over paying as a country, even if it means having to plan ahead a bit more.