Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 302147

Shown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Generic Klonopin

Posted by AndyD on January 17, 2004, at 21:42:44

Hey all,

Just some FYI. Was taking .5mg x2 day for anxiety and panic. Was taking TEVA. Went to a different pharmacy, and now am taking same doasge, made by Pure Pharmaceuticals. Can definetly notice the different. Feels like I need to take another. This after 3 days. I think I will have to add my two cents and say there is a big difference. I went to Texas after three years of Agorophobia on the TEVA, now I feel very in doubt about going to far (again). Think I will just splurge from now on and just get the real deal. Roche cost twice as much, but that way I dont have to play these games. Incidentally I never even concerned myself with the effectiveness of generics, so its not some somatic issue, I could feel it with in 24 hours. Nahh, the real stuff is what I am sticking to.. the TEVA worked great, but what the hell, lets go with the real deal. I dont use oil from the minute mart in my Denali, I use a good quality Synthetic, even though it cost more, why should I short change myself?

Thanks all,
Just my 2 cents worth,
Andy

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD

Posted by cubbybear on January 18, 2004, at 1:06:53

In reply to Generic Klonopin, posted by AndyD on January 17, 2004, at 21:42:44

There are plenty of people who live on a tight budget who must watch every penny and so, for them, the savings they can get from purchasing generic meds can make a world of difference. Not everyone can afford to "get the real deal."

As for Klonopin, I believe there are several mfrs. of the generic Clonazepam. If you feel that the Pure Pharmaceuticals stuff is inferior, then why not go back to TEVA or find out what other people have to say about the other companies? Why give the big drug firms extra money if you don't have to?

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD

Posted by AndyD on January 18, 2004, at 8:46:29

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD, posted by cubbybear on January 18, 2004, at 1:06:53

First off, I dont understand why so many people out there have this anti-big drug firm mentality. Everyone seems to forget that the company, in this case Roche, actually developed the drug. For me its been a life saver, so I in reality would pay anything for it. In contrast, I would pay for the generic forms if, and only if they were exactly alike. Which they are not. The TEVA did work, but my underlying question is did it work to the best of its ability? Could I have been a little better for an extra $35.00. The biggest problem I see is people just keep trying different drugs, and throw all caution to the wind. I was very bad off, had been since I returned from the Desert Storm. The Klonopin saved my life. I couldnt leave my block, and this Christmas I went home to TX from KY to see my parents for the first time in 8 years. So honestly cubby bear, I could give a damn if the klonopin cost 10.00 a pill. As far as lining the pockets of the big firms, as I said they made the thing, and perhaps just perhaps 30 years from now they will develop a pill that needs to be taken once a month or just taken once and it will be gone forever. They cant do that kind of research when everyone is buying generics. As far as money goes, well I was making good money with my anxiety, PA, agoraphobia. Hell, now that I have been taking klonopin I am making great money..so I can afford it. Ya know, this stuff is heriditary, so I am willing to pay the people for their product for a means to an end, not just a temporary fix. I have 2 beautiful girls and if, God forbid they ever started with this crap, I would hope they would have something as good as klonopin, but maybe, just maybe something even better. No I dont work for Roche Labs, I am just giving credit where credit is due.

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD

Posted by Emme on January 18, 2004, at 11:38:02

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD, posted by AndyD on January 18, 2004, at 8:46:29

>.....so I in reality would pay anything for it.

> Could I have been a little better for an extra $35.00. So honestly cubby bear, I could give a damn if the klonopin cost 10.00 a pill....

Yes, Roche has created a fine drug. I'm glad Klonopin works so well for you and that you can afford it. The generic happens to work okay for me. FWIW, the $30 difference is my groceries for a week. This is a big deal. It is also roughly equal to my electric bill. I probably am not the only person who really can ill afford to go for the brand name if we are not having problems with the generic, especially if our other medications do not have generic options.

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD

Posted by zero on January 18, 2004, at 22:43:29

In reply to Generic Klonopin, posted by AndyD on January 17, 2004, at 21:42:44

I had a similar experience when my pharmacy switched its Clonazepam (.5mg tabs.) supplier from Watson (which worked fine - just as well as brand name Klon.) to Eon (which felt like mild withdrawal).

I told my pharmacist about it, and he offered to get me the Watson. So now I call him a day early so he can "next day" it for me from his supplier.

I used to get the Teva brand which worked equivalent to brand name Klon. also.

I have no prescription drug coverage, hence generic whenever possible.

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD

Posted by cubbybear on January 19, 2004, at 0:18:47

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD, posted by AndyD on January 18, 2004, at 8:46:29

> First off, I dont understand why so many people out there have this anti-big drug firm mentality.

They cant do that kind of research when everyone is buying generics.

How much time do you have to listen to why so many people "have this anti-drug firm mentality." ?Just to mention two examples:

1) Tens of thousands of people have died of AIDS while the manufacturers of anti-HIV medications adamantly balked at lowering their prices since profits were infinitely more important than saving human lives. Low-income sufferers (in the U.S.) were unable to get the medication they needed. The big companies fought tooth and nail to hold onto their patents rather than permit manufacturers in third-world nations to manufacture their products. Only through vociferous demonstrations and public protests were AIDS patients able to convince the manufacturers to drop their prices. But by then, the damage was done, and it was too little too late.

2) For many months if not years, the manufacturers of anti-depressants Paxil and Effexor have refused to acknowledge the severe and disabling withdrawal symptoms that numerous patients experience when attempting to stop taking these medications. Class action litigation and other concerted actions are now underway to force the manufacturers to publicly state the risks, or to stop underplaying the risks inherent in taking these medications. Why do SO many people have to suffer before the companies can be persuaded to do anything? The answer is: profits before public safety.

Your argument about the big firms needing the money to do research is exactly what the firms themselves say all the time, as if there's just nothing left in the cookie jar. In a pig's nose there isn't! They're swimming in the big bucks they've made from their patented block busting drugs, and go on reaping millions more every day from the inflated prices that countless people (yourself not included) can not afford to pay. If the generic companies were suddenly blown off the market and only the name-brand meds were available, you'd probably see a load more people walking around without the medication they so desperately need. All because the big business profits are more important than the happiness and well being of real people.


 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by scott-d-o on January 19, 2004, at 2:42:04

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD, posted by AndyD on January 18, 2004, at 8:46:29

I use the Mylan generic myself; it seems that is all any pharmacy has around here, and it is dirt cheap. Strange, I haven't even heard of these other generic brands you are referring to, however, here is a link to the FDA review sheet with bioequivalency tests showing the Mylan generic to be within 4% of the reference (brand name) product under extensive in-vivo and in-vitro testing.

http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/anda/98/75150_Clonazepam.pdf

Is a 4% difference worth the extra cost? I suppose that is up to the patient to decide. However, the argument that buying the brand name version of a drug, particularly one as old as Klonopin, will result in more money being spent on R&D, is really a subject that cannot be reasonably discussed since you have no clue where the cash is going. You could just be buying the CEO a new private jet, while you ride around in a Kia or Hyundai cause you just had to have the brand name Klonopin ;-)

In addition, if Roche is still making adequate profit from Klonopin sales, you would think they would have even less of an incentive to spend the money developing the next wonder drug. Would you rather sit back and watch your wallet grow larger off a drug you developed decades ago, or invest it all in R&D which carries an enormous risk that you may never get a return on your investment? Hmm, that's a tough one (sarcasm)..

The way the whole system is set up here in the states is why you don't see many new and useful medications being developed. Why spend all the time and effort on R&D and obtaining FDA approval for a great medication like Klonopin, when the SSRI's have proven that **how you market the drug is all that really matters when it comes to making a profit**, which is, of course, the ultimate goal of any firm; to maximize profit and make both themselves and their shareholders extremely wealthy individuals, *not* to help people in need (sorry, I know my pessimistic viewpoints are most likely making readers on this board even more depressed.)

Unfortunatly, in many cases this even results in companies modifying their existing compounds only slightly (think about the new Klonopin wafers) so they can reobtain a patent, and spending the money (which should probably be spent on R&D for new medications) on promoting this new product as something that is "*new* and *better*" thru marketing gimmicks which is ate right up by pdocs and patients alike.

I'm sure I come off as an extremely cynical person to most whom are reading this; however, this is just the way I see things, I feel I have become extremely disillusioned to the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and I just can't see how anyone could possibly see it any differently.

scott

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by AndyD on January 19, 2004, at 11:16:03

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by scott-d-o on January 19, 2004, at 2:42:04

Well,

Maybe your viewpoints are valid. Of course everyones opinion counts, thats why we have them.
You sound angry and perhaps have a right to be. I did not say that the pharmaceutical industry is on the straight and narrow. Actually, I believe they are far from it. However, I can not hink of ANY, and I stress ANY industry in this country that is. Talk about pessimism!! :)
All I said was that if and if is the key word here, Roche version proves better I WILL take it over the others. If not I will continue to take the TEVA brand. I am a mechanic by trade. I guess in my industry, they make generics too. Tools from Snap-On to the stuff made in China. In all cases there are some tools as an ASE Master Certified Mechanic working at BMW, that I will use a cheap chinese tool on someones $80,000 automobile- oh my! However, you get what you pay for. For the most part the tools I buy from say Snap On are overpriced to a degree, but the quality is unsurpassed. People say that buying those tools is silly, the fact is again, you get what you pay for. Folks, thats my motto, and 98% of the time I am right. Maybe in this case I am wrong, I dont know, I have not taken the Roche brand Klonopin as of yet, but I have busted my fore head open with a cheap wrench! I dont drive a Kia or Hyundai Scott, because of the same reasoning incidentally. If we can start a Psych-Babble Cars site I would be glad to discuss why European Cars in general are far superior as well :) Both from an engineering and driving perspective. You all have a great day regardless of what your taking!

Andy

 

Why all this anger?

Posted by KimberlyDi on January 19, 2004, at 17:05:11

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by AndyD on January 19, 2004, at 11:16:03

It seems that the system is somehow working like it should. Roche developes a kick-booty drug, has a several-year patent to have a chance to re-coup their investment. Then other companies have the opportunity to product the generically equivalent drug for a lower price.

Higher prices for the brand name if you want it and can afford it. Generic drugs for grateful people like me who can't.

What's to argue about? Maybe the angry people need more Klonopin? <grin>

> Well,
>
> Maybe your viewpoints are valid. Of course everyones opinion counts, thats why we have them.
> You sound angry and perhaps have a right to be. I did not say that the pharmaceutical industry is on the straight and narrow. Actually, I believe they are far from it. However, I can not hink of ANY, and I stress ANY industry in this country that is. Talk about pessimism!! :)
> All I said was that if and if is the key word here, Roche version proves better I WILL take it over the others. If not I will continue to take the TEVA brand. I am a mechanic by trade. I guess in my industry, they make generics too. Tools from Snap-On to the stuff made in China. In all cases there are some tools as an ASE Master Certified Mechanic working at BMW, that I will use a cheap chinese tool on someones $80,000 automobile- oh my! However, you get what you pay for. For the most part the tools I buy from say Snap On are overpriced to a degree, but the quality is unsurpassed. People say that buying those tools is silly, the fact is again, you get what you pay for. Folks, thats my motto, and 98% of the time I am right. Maybe in this case I am wrong, I dont know, I have not taken the Roche brand Klonopin as of yet, but I have busted my fore head open with a cheap wrench! I dont drive a Kia or Hyundai Scott, because of the same reasoning incidentally. If we can start a Psych-Babble Cars site I would be glad to discuss why European Cars in general are far superior as well :) Both from an engineering and driving perspective. You all have a great day regardless of what your taking!
>
> Andy

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by Viridis on January 19, 2004, at 22:45:19

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » AndyD, posted by zero on January 18, 2004, at 22:43:29

I never paid much attention to generic vs. brand-name meds, and have been using green Teva Klonopin for about 2 1/2 years (I've never tried the "real thing'" = Roche). However, one month my wife refilled my prescription for clonazepam at a different pharmacy and got pink pills from another generic co. (can't remember which one -- maybe Mylan?). They clearly were inferior, and since I'd always assumed that generics are all interchangeable, I doubt this was my imagination.

I got another prescription and went to a mail-order co. that supplies the Teva version, and all was well again.

I still suspect that most generic drugs are fine, but there definitely was something different about that company's clonazepam.

 

Well-Spoken! (nm) » scott-d-o

Posted by cubbybear on January 20, 2004, at 0:29:27

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by scott-d-o on January 19, 2004, at 2:42:04

 

Redirect: development of medications

Posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2004, at 0:38:20

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by scott-d-o on January 19, 2004, at 2:42:04

> The way the whole system is set up here in the states is why you don't see many new and useful medications being developed...

I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding the development of medications to Psycho-Social-Babble. Here's a link:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040109/msgs/303039.html

Thanks,

Bob

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by Rick on February 10, 2004, at 22:18:05

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by Viridis on January 19, 2004, at 22:45:19

I had taken the branded Klonopin from Roche for years and was taken aback when I opened a mail-order drug shipment once and found 180 generic pills because my doctor had forgotten to write "do not substitute" as per usual.

Turns out the generics worked exactly the same as the brand for me. They are made by Teva, which seems to get the most consistent "highest marks" among generics, on this thread and other posts.

You'd exepct Teva to have quality clonazepam, given that it's their top-selling drug. I now try to ensure that I use suppliers which have the Teva generic.

I once saw a letter from some physicians (to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, if memory serves) in which the doctors warned that the generic their patient once received didn't have equal potency to the branded Klonopin she had been taking.

But surprisingly, in that case the problem with the generic is that it was unexpectedly *stronger* than the branded Klonopin their patient had been taking. Almost all complaints I've seen posted here and elsewhere about generic clonazepam concerns *lower* potency vs. the brand name.

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by pseudonym on February 11, 2004, at 1:54:43

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by Rick on February 10, 2004, at 22:18:05

How can you recognize the Teva tablets? What color and marking do the 2mg tablets have?

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » pseudonym

Posted by Rick on February 11, 2004, at 10:33:35

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by pseudonym on February 11, 2004, at 1:54:43

> How can you recognize the Teva tablets? What color and marking do the 2mg tablets have?

All the pharamcies I've used (including CVS, Walgeens, Osco, and Medco Mailorder) show the name of the generic manufacturer on the prescription bottle.

The Teva 1 mg Klonopin is green, scored, and has the number 93833 on one side.

http://www.tevapharmusa.com/default.aspx?pageid=58&ndc=0093-0833-01&ndcsub=0833

http://www.tevapharmusa.com/default.aspx?pageid=28&pagenum=4

Rick

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by djmmm on February 12, 2004, at 20:22:26

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by Rick on February 10, 2004, at 22:18:05

> I had taken the branded Klonopin from Roche for years and was taken aback when I opened a mail-order drug shipment once and found 180 generic pills because my doctor had forgotten to write "do not substitute" as per usual.
>
> Turns out the generics worked exactly the same as the brand for me. They are made by Teva, which seems to get the most consistent "highest marks" among generics, on this thread and other posts.
>
> You'd exepct Teva to have quality clonazepam, given that it's their top-selling drug. I now try to ensure that I use suppliers which have the Teva generic.
>
> I once saw a letter from some physicians (to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, if memory serves) in which the doctors warned that the generic their patient once received didn't have equal potency to the branded Klonopin she had been taking.
>
> But surprisingly, in that case the problem with the generic is that it was unexpectedly *stronger* than the branded Klonopin their patient had been taking. Almost all complaints I've seen posted here and elsewhere about generic clonazepam concerns *lower* potency vs. the brand name.

a discrepancy in potency does occur with generic medications...but is ONLY a problem with anticonvulsants (klonopin) because, that discrepancy, as small as it may be, can, and has caused seizures in certain epileptics

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » Rick

Posted by pseudonym on February 14, 2004, at 22:47:40

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » pseudonym, posted by Rick on February 11, 2004, at 10:33:35

Is this the same Rick who was doing well on Klonopin, Serzone and Provigil? I had assumed you had had left pbob because you'd found a good social phobia combo. Is that combination still working its magic for you?

 

Re: Generic Klonopin » pseudonym

Posted by Rick on February 16, 2004, at 0:30:48

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » Rick, posted by pseudonym on February 14, 2004, at 22:47:40

> Is this the same Rick who was doing well on Klonopin, Serzone and Provigil? I had assumed you had had left pbob because you'd found a good social phobia combo. Is that combination still working its magic for you?

Yes, it's me, just checking in every now and then. While the three-med cocktail continued to work great, I dropped the Serzone because of excessive dry mouth and because I suspected it might be contributing to my occasional memory lapses. Turns out 1 mg Klonopin + 100 mg Provigil alone works 90% as well for me as the triple combo did, so I've stuck with K+P.

Rick

 

Re: Generic Klonopin

Posted by George M on February 24, 2004, at 10:45:53

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin » pseudonym, posted by Rick on February 16, 2004, at 0:30:48

I recently swtiched from Walgreens Clonazepam .5 mg made by Purepac(pink pill) to Caremark mail order Clonazepam (yellow pill).5 mg made by Teva. After over a year on the Purepac Clonazepam, switching to the Teva generic was like taking a sugar pill. I immediatley noticed a difference and after two days the change was dramatic. I also have never taken the klonopin as its too pricey, however from reading the previous postings, I understand how different generics can be and may consider the real deal. I know now to ask a pharmacy, or mail order what the manufacture is before ordering a refill of an existing med from another pharmecy. I just didn't know there were multiple generics for one drug, as I should have, since it seems every drugstore has a generic for Advil, etc.

 

Low Income? Klonopin - Free

Posted by Glen on February 29, 2004, at 4:46:20

In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by George M on February 24, 2004, at 10:45:53

My only income is Soc. Sec. Disability.I can't afford Klonopin. I wrote to the company,filled out a form, and they send it in the mail. Free.


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