Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 9892

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by IRick on August 11, 1999, at 2:18:13

I've read that generic Clonazepam differs chemically from branded Klonopin, and I've seen various bulletin board posts insisting that "real" Klonopin is definitely more effective.

If you are either a doctor or a user (of one of the two forms), do you feel there is any merit to this claim?
I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have taken both.

This post is inspired by the post "Anyone but me having troubling buying Klonopin? Delia 8/8/99", coupled with my own recent difficulty getting a full Klonopin refill at a huge pharmacy chain (as detailed in my reply).

If there IS any truth to the notion that the branded version is fading away (for economic reasons?), I'm hoping for some reasurance that the generic, Clonazepam will work just as well.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Rick

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by Delia on August 12, 1999, at 6:58:43

In reply to Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by IRick on August 11, 1999, at 2:18:13

I have taken Klonopin literally for years. It always worked well.

This bruhaha, for me, started with my insurance company trying to strong arm the doctor to give me only the generic.

I went along with it the first time, well, actually, two months, but my old symptoms gradually came back and I was in quite a sorry state.

Mind you, the doctor had specified NO interchange, but I figured the drug store (CVS) had packaged it up when I went to pick it up, so I would give it a try.

When I saw my doctor again he and I agreed it HAD to be the real thing, and he wrote the prescription again mandating no change. But he then also told me he had received a letter from my insurance company saying they would no longer pay for the Klonopin. HOWEVER, with a lot of paperwork and justification from the doctor (which naturally they won't be thrilled about and will therefore be more compliant) they would make an exception.

So we went that route and then the business you others have described about the non-availability at the drug store started.

They have no .5 mg pills.

I had to take 1 mg and split them.

I truly suspect next time there will be no 1 mg and I will have to go to 2mgs and then that will be the end of the game.

All CVS has told me is that it is backordered.

I am treated by a psychopharmacologist psychiatrist who prescribes and a psych nurse I see weekly for talk therapy. Both reported all their patients are in this same boat and they, the professionals, can't even get a date when they will be off back order.

The psych nurse told of another drug that was legitimately backorderd, there had been a fire at the plant, and the manufacturer bent over backwards finding another plant to produce in the meantime.

So it is all quite fishy.

My theory is the insurance company reduced the demand by forcing people off Klonopin, and those particular people didn't fuss, cutting the demand.

Next they will say there is not enough demand to make it, period.

---

On the issue of effectiveness, per my psychopharmacologist, it isn't the same. The nurse also. She has ALWAYS been against my taking the generic based on her experience with me and others.

And the Doctor this past week said he has had to have patients take TWICE as much generic to achieve the same effects as with the real thing.

---

Please don't shoot the messenger ;-)

SUGGESTION

All of us who are concerned, write the company that makes the Klonopin and get vocal to them about it. I have already and will continue to do so until they respond.

Sigh. Just what people who are already suffering need, abuse by a drug company/insurance company more worried about their bottom line than those in need.

 

Klonopin Availability

Posted by PL on August 12, 1999, at 10:48:26

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by Delia on August 12, 1999, at 6:58:43

I think it has something to do with people hording meds because they are afraid of the Y2K bug.

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by jd on August 12, 1999, at 10:50:07

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by Delia on August 12, 1999, at 6:58:43

All this is very interesting...
I got the same response from a pharmacy last week and began taking the 0.5mg generic. I could have Sworn there was some problem because I just didn't feel right a day or so after switching--I even wondered whether they had mislabeled the bottle! I decided to tough it out rather than discuss it with my doctor, but I actually ended up raising my dosage somewhat just to feel "back on track". I still feel like I want the brand stuff again but this thread has me wondering whether it's every going to materialize...

For what it's worth, I had a similar experience with Tofranil a few years ago when switching from generic to brand: the brand version seemed much more effective.

Best,
JD


> I have taken Klonopin literally for years. It always worked well.
>
> This bruhaha, for me, started with my insurance company trying to strong arm the doctor to give me only the generic.
>
> I went along with it the first time, well, actually, two months, but my old symptoms gradually came back and I was in quite a sorry state.
>
> Mind you, the doctor had specified NO interchange, but I figured the drug store (CVS) had packaged it up when I went to pick it up, so I would give it a try.
>
> When I saw my doctor again he and I agreed it HAD to be the real thing, and he wrote the prescription again mandating no change. But he then also told me he had received a letter from my insurance company saying they would no longer pay for the Klonopin. HOWEVER, with a lot of paperwork and justification from the doctor (which naturally they won't be thrilled about and will therefore be more compliant) they would make an exception.
>
> So we went that route and then the business you others have described about the non-availability at the drug store started.
>
> They have no .5 mg pills.
>
> I had to take 1 mg and split them.
>
> I truly suspect next time there will be no 1 mg and I will have to go to 2mgs and then that will be the end of the game.
>
> All CVS has told me is that it is backordered.
>
> I am treated by a psychopharmacologist psychiatrist who prescribes and a psych nurse I see weekly for talk therapy. Both reported all their patients are in this same boat and they, the professionals, can't even get a date when they will be off back order.
>
> The psych nurse told of another drug that was legitimately backorderd, there had been a fire at the plant, and the manufacturer bent over backwards finding another plant to produce in the meantime.
>
> So it is all quite fishy.
>
> My theory is the insurance company reduced the demand by forcing people off Klonopin, and those particular people didn't fuss, cutting the demand.
>
> Next they will say there is not enough demand to make it, period.
>
> ---
>
> On the issue of effectiveness, per my psychopharmacologist, it isn't the same. The nurse also. She has ALWAYS been against my taking the generic based on her experience with me and others.
>
> And the Doctor this past week said he has had to have patients take TWICE as much generic to achieve the same effects as with the real thing.
>
> ---
>
> Please don't shoot the messenger ;-)
>
> SUGGESTION
>
> All of us who are concerned, write the company that makes the Klonopin and get vocal to them about it. I have already and will continue to do so until they respond.
>
> Sigh. Just what people who are already suffering need, abuse by a drug company/insurance company more worried about their bottom line than those in need.

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by Delia on August 12, 1999, at 14:41:45

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by jd on August 12, 1999, at 10:50:07

Chemically the brands are supposed to be (I think have to be) the same as far as the active ingredients. My nurse explains that the inert ingredients that whoever uses to make the pills can react differently in different people, increasing or decreasing the efficacy of the drug in a susceptible person.

I think everyone should push back on the pharmacies, insuranance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc, if you have any doubt (OR FEAR OR CONCERN) that the brand name isn't as good for you.

I take generics for MANY of my drugs, such as my lithium. They have performed as well, so I am happy.

The Klonopin DOES NOT perform as well, I became symptomatic again.

 

Re: Branded Klonopin Availability

Posted by Rick on August 12, 1999, at 20:54:33

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by Delia on August 12, 1999, at 14:41:45

Well here's MY latest update to the Klonopin availability story. It's a good news/bad news situation which really neither supports nor disproves any of the theories flying around.

As I said in the earlier thread about branded Klonopin availability, I had my first prescription (1mg's) filled about two weeks ago, with no problem, at Chicago-Area Walgreen's "A". The pdoc had even specified "can substitute", but I asked for the real thing and got it. When I later went to Walgreen's "B" near my office for a new, larger (90-count twice-refilllable) prescription, only 59 were available. After initially being told the remainder would be mailed to be within a few days (it wasn't), I was told last night that there are "supply problems", and that they basically had no idea when more would be available.

Meanwhile, today, I was back at Walgreen's A. They seemed very willing, even anxious, to discuss the situation with me. Ironically, A is now "temporarily out of stock" on ALL Klono, even the 1's. But the pharmacist told me the biggest supply problems have been with the .5's.

Meanwhile, they called over to Wags B for me, which reorted they are all out of .5's but had received the overdue 1's and mailed them to me today (BTW, WITHOUT the promised call to me, at least as of yet).

The pharmacist at A feels very sure the shortages represent a temporary production delay as Roche tries to match supply to demand for its various products.

I hope she's right, but who knows? Maybe I managed to get my order completed due to a combination of pressure on my part plus the luck of using a high-clout store located within a few miles of Walgreen's national headquarters.

Rick
--------

> Chemically the brands are supposed to be (I think have to be) the same as far as the active ingredients. My nurse explains that the inert ingredients that whoever uses to make the pills can react differently in different people, increasing or decreasing the efficacy of the drug in a susceptible person.
>
> I think everyone should push back on the pharmacies, insuranance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc, if you have any doubt (OR FEAR OR CONCERN) that the brand name isn't as good for you.
>
> I take generics for MANY of my drugs, such as my lithium. They have performed as well, so I am happy.
>
> The Klonopin DOES NOT perform as well, I became symptomatic again.

 

Oops...

Posted by Delia on August 13, 1999, at 18:56:24

In reply to Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by IRick on August 11, 1999, at 2:18:13

Popped into my local CVS to drop off my new lithium prescription and asked the pharmacist how the Klonopin wars were going.

He said the 1's were now getting scarce as well AND what's more he said there is starting to be a shortage of the generic as well. His current thinking is maybe there is a raw material shortage somewhere.

Stay tuned!

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by Paul on August 14, 1999, at 15:37:45

In reply to Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by IRick on August 11, 1999, at 2:18:13

> I've read that generic Clonazepam differs chemically from branded Klonopin, and I've seen various bulletin board posts insisting that "real" Klonopin is definitely more effective.
>
> If you are either a doctor or a user (of one of the two forms), do you feel there is any merit to this claim?
> I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have taken both.
>
> This post is inspired by the post "Anyone but me having troubling buying Klonopin? Delia 8/8/99", coupled with my own recent difficulty getting a full Klonopin refill at a huge pharmacy chain (as detailed in my reply).
>
> If there IS any truth to the notion that the branded version is fading away (for economic reasons?), I'm hoping for some reasurance that the generic, Clonazepam will work just as well.
>
> Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
>
> Rick

I've had to increase my dosage from 3 to 4mg.since switching to the generic. I feel I come out ahead since the generic is less than half the price of the brand. I believe there are two or more manufacturers of clonazepam. I'm taking the brand made by RH(don't know what it stands for). Like I said, I did have to make a slight increase in the dosage. The generic does seem to be less potent, and there appears to be much variability among different manufacturers of the generic. Good luck! Paul

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by Melissa on August 18, 1999, at 21:48:23

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by Paul on August 14, 1999, at 15:37:45

I have been on the generic for about three weeks. I have gined about five pounds, my teeth ar4e clenching and my anxiety is high. I hate this having to take generics when I am on a medication that is doing OK. I hate being on klonopin altogether because even though I am on one miligram I am extremely addicted and go into major withdrawel symptoms if I miss even one day. I have tried antidepressants to get off and they have done no good because the side effects--massive weight and extreme tiredness were intolerable. I am thinking about switiching to Buspar sinc emy insurance one cover klonopin any more. Anybody with any experience with Buspar?

 

Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?

Posted by Anita on August 27, 1999, at 2:30:19

In reply to Re: Is Klonopin really superior to generic Clonazepam?, posted by Melissa on August 18, 1999, at 21:48:23

I would recommend you talk to your pharmacist. Remember, they studied all about drugs, and they should know the manufacturers, etc.

I am in Canada, so it might not be the same in the states. With the clonazepam that i take, it is every bit as effective as the Rivotril (canadian brand name) is.

My pharmacist and I discussed generics vs Brand names, and now, in a lot of cases, the generic,is identical to the Brand name, right down to the same manufacturer makes them, they use one name for the generic, and another for the Brand name. This isn't the best explanation i have ever made, so try to follow, inspite of my poor wording.

Once the patent has expired, and a generic can be sold, the drug companies know that it will be done. In that case, the company can still make money by packaging the same stuff (they sell under the brand name) using the generic. IE, the same company gets all the sales from the Brand name, and.. ta-da is also able to pick up the sales that go generic.

I hope this isn't just a canadian thing, and it isn't true for everything, but get to know your pharmacist, and ask these questions. I find out more by talking to mine than i ever imagined.

 

Re: Klonopin Availability

Posted by Janine on August 28, 1999, at 17:26:04

In reply to Klonopin Availability, posted by PL on August 12, 1999, at 10:48:26

My pharmasict says that the brand name (Klonopin) was recently recalled for inpurities, but that the generic is quite available.

> I think it has something to do with people hording meds because they are afraid of the Y2K bug.


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