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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rick on March 13, 2004, at 11:07:29
I know this has been covered before to some extent, but I'm trying to get all the opinions I can before taking a chance switching from Teva's generic Klonopin (clonazepam) to Purepac, which would be more convenient for me to obtain.
I used branded Klonopin for several years, then was inadvertently switched to the Teva generic -- and pleasantly surprised that it worked just as well as the branded product for my social phobia.
So please pass along any experiences re the potency (or lack thereof) for Purepac Klonopin, especially if you have also used another generic (and/or the brand) that you can compare it to for efficacy.
From the few comparisons I've seen thus far, I gather that some people are unhappy with Purepac Klonopin, especially compared to Teva, although although I recall at least one poster who said he found it a lot more potent than Teva.
BTW, I have used Purepac'c Xanax and it seems just as good as Teva's. But I can't conclude just from that that their Klonopin is good, too.
Thanks in advance.
Rick
Posted by Rainee on March 13, 2004, at 15:01:32
In reply to Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Rick on March 13, 2004, at 11:07:29
for the very reason I find generics worthless when it comes to klonopin my Dr wrote for klonopin no subs... I have no problem paying the difference when one pill will do what 5 does in the generic.. it's crazy.. I feel so much better already.
Rainee
Posted by Rick on March 13, 2004, at 17:59:34
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Rainee on March 13, 2004, at 15:01:32
> for the very reason I find generics worthless when it comes to klonopin my Dr wrote for klonopin no subs... I have no problem paying the difference when one pill will do what 5 does in the generic.. it's crazy.. I feel so much better already.
>
> RaineeUp until two years ago my insurance would charge about $10 for a 30-day supply of the generic and $15 for the brand. Today they charge a copay of about $6 for generic and $45 for the brand (which, at my dosage, is more than I would pay for the brand *without* using "insurance"!).
Posted by rainee on March 13, 2004, at 18:32:11
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)?? » Rainee, posted by Rick on March 13, 2004, at 17:59:34
It cost me 90 bucks for 90 dy supply of 1mg of the K . ouch but well worth it...
Raine :)
Posted by NotAddicted on March 13, 2004, at 20:00:21
In reply to Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Rick on March 13, 2004, at 11:07:29
I have always been on Teva brand. In three years, it's been fine. So, I really can't speak to a comparison with brand or other generics. It's monotherapy for me and I was going to switch to brand if I didn't find a good outcome... but the point was moot for me.
Sorry to not give you much of an answer to your question, hope someone can.
Posted by Viridis on March 13, 2004, at 22:28:50
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by NotAddicted on March 13, 2004, at 20:00:21
I've never taken name-brand Klonopin, but find the Teva generic very effective (yellow 0.5 mg pills or green 1 mg). One month, I went to a different pharmacy and got pink clonazepam pills from a different manufacturer (0.5 mg; not sure which company). These were noticeably weaker and less effective. I never thought there was much of a difference between generic and name-brand meds, but these definitely were inferior.
Now I just get a three-month supply by mail order -- Teva brand -- and all seems well. I mentioned this to my pdoc and he said that he's heard these sorts of comments before about certain meds, and given that the generics are allowed to deviate fairly substantially in concentration from the "real thing", he wasn't surprised.
However, he declined to prescribe "genuine" (Roche) Klonopin because despite my curiosity, he felt this was a waste of money if the Teva brand was working fine. I really can't argue with this logic.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 14, 2004, at 5:05:05
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Viridis on March 13, 2004, at 22:28:50
I've never tried the Roche Klonopin either (though I have tried Roche's Klonopin Wafers, which are all right). The only brands of clonazepam I've ever used have been Teva, Purepac, and, more recently, Eon. I really can't say I've ever noticed any difference whatsoever, though certain people are undoubtedly more sensitive to this factor than others.
Posted by asian girl on March 14, 2004, at 8:44:33
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 14, 2004, at 5:05:05
I don't know what brand is , 1mg light green colored clonazepam is not working for me at all, At begining I thought it's psychologic thing, so I take brand name 1mg blue colored and once a while try ligh green colored genaric again. I got conclusion: It's not my psychologic thing. 1mg light green colored clonazepam is not working for me. so I have to throw them to toilet.
By the way. I'm taken down to 1-1.5mg per day, that's mean I'm taken a 0.25mg 4-6 times through the day ( broken the 1mg pill to 4 piece)
A.G.
Posted by Rick on March 14, 2004, at 15:20:57
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by Viridis on March 13, 2004, at 22:28:50
> I've never taken name-brand Klonopin, but find the Teva generic very effective (yellow 0.5 mg pills or green 1 mg). One month, I went to a different pharmacy and got pink clonazepam pills from a different manufacturer (0.5 mg; not sure which company). These were noticeably weaker and less effective. I never thought there was much of a difference between generic and name-brand meds, but these definitely were inferior.
Sounds like they could indeed have been Purepac from the pill description. If you got them at Walgreen's, it was almost certainly Purepac. There sure seems to be a divergence of opinions on Purepac's efficacy! I'd be curious to see if anyone has found Purepac's Xanax/alprazolam adequate, as I have, yet found their Klonopin/clonazepam to be sub-potent.
BTW, thanks to everyone who has submitted their experiences. Keep 'em coming!
Rick
Posted by rod on March 15, 2004, at 4:18:22
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)?? » Viridis, posted by Rick on March 14, 2004, at 15:20:57
I am wondering. Isnt Klonopin/Rivotril dirt cheap. I mean I pay for Rivotril (Clonazepam) 0,5mg 100 tablets 5 euro ~ 5 USD and 10 euro ~ 10 USD for 100 x 2mg Rivotril. Rivotril is manufactured by Roche. Sorry for an off-topic post
greetings
Roland
Posted by Viridis on March 16, 2004, at 3:53:36
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by rod on March 15, 2004, at 4:18:22
Rivotril is the brand name for Klonopin (clonazepam) in Europe, Canada, and some other parts of the world. In the U.S., Roche Klonopin costs about $1.20 U.S. per 1.0 mg pill (without insurance), whereas the generics are about $0.50 per mg or cheaper. So, there's a major price advantage to the generic, as long as it's equally effective, and of course insurance companies prefer the generic.
Posted by blondemomints on March 16, 2004, at 12:02:07
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)?? » rod, posted by Viridis on March 16, 2004, at 3:53:36
Well in my case I've tried generics and brand name of Klonopin and Xanax and I know for me there is a MAJOR difference between the generic and brand name. I was having to take twice as much generic and more often so it's cheaper for me (in the long run) to get brand name only.
Just my personal experience, I know each person is different.
Cheers!
Posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 2:46:42
In reply to Re: Opinions on PurePac Klonopin (clonazepam)??, posted by blondemomints on March 16, 2004, at 12:02:07
My clonazepam (2 mg, white, with a G on the tablet) just says "GEN" for the manufacturer on the pharmacist's label, but this may actually mean a manufacturer's name starting with "Gen", as usually he puts the first 3-4 letters of the source co.'s name, e.g. "APO", "NOVO" etc. NOTE: I am in Canada, so these would be Canadian generic co's. Any Canadian experience out there with generic vs brand-name?
I will ask my pharmacist as he is usually quite knowledgeable about such differences. Unfortunately, in B.C., to get non-generic, the Dr. has to fill out a government form specifiying why the brand name is medically required. (Rant follows!)
RANT: They call this "reference-based pricing", which means some semi-anonymous reference board has decided X is "just as good" as Y. I'm all in favour of saving costs to consumer OR government by using generics where quality is demonstrably similar, but this goes far beyond that. My mother had to take short acting NSAIDs for arthritis, because they were "just as good as" the extended release form. Last time I checked, Wellbutrin and other atypical A/D's were not covered by the BC Govt. program (which kicks in when your annual Rx costs get above a fairly high level) - because other older A/Ds were "just as good"! Apparently nobody told that that some people react differently ....
END OF RANT.
Tony P
Posted by Rick on March 17, 2004, at 11:28:50
In reply to Re: Opinions on Klonopin/clonazepam - Canadian??, posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 2:46:42
> My clonazepam (2 mg, white, with a G on the tablet) just says "GEN" for the manufacturer on the pharmacist's label, but this may actually mean a manufacturer's name starting with "Gen", as usually he puts the first 3-4 letters of the source co.'s name, e.g. "APO", "NOVO" etc.
>NOTE: I am in Canada, so these would be Canadian generic co's. Any Canadian experience out there with generic vs brand-name?
It could be for Geneva Generics, which was recently renamed Sandoz for the company that makes it.
> I will ask my pharmacist as he is usually quite knowledgeable about such differences. Unfortunately, in B.C., to get non-generic, the Dr. has to fill out a government form specifiying why the brand name is medically required. (Rant follows!)
Does the clonazepam you have seem acceptable?
> RANT: They call this "reference-based pricing", which means some semi-anonymous reference board has decided X is "just as good" as Y. I'm all in favour of saving costs to consumer OR government by using generics where quality is demonstrably similar, but this goes far beyond that. My mother had to take short acting NSAIDs for arthritis, because they were "just as good as" the extended release form. Last time I checked, Wellbutrin and other atypical A/D's were not covered by the BC Govt. program (which kicks in when your annual Rx costs get above a fairly high level) - because other older A/Ds were "just as good"! Apparently nobody told that that some people react differently ....
> END OF RANT.I can see why you're frustrated! Is there an appeals process for special cases? I know that U.S. insurance companies, whose co-pays have been skyrocketing for brand names, allow appeals demonstrating medical necessity, and sometimes you'll get lucky and the appeal will be accepted.
Rick
Posted by Tony P on March 19, 2004, at 4:01:58
In reply to Re: Opinions on Klonopin/clonazepam - Canadian?? » Tony P, posted by Rick on March 17, 2004, at 11:28:50
It's not quite as bad/bureaucratic as I suppose it could be, or maybe made it sound like. You should see what we have to go through to get DHEA up here!! I've been waiting a year or more for approval on that (Federal Govt. this time), I think they imagine we're all performance-enhancing atheletes or something, _methadone_ is easier to get!
I think the Dr's form has to be approved by Pharmacare but I'm not sure of current rules as the issue hasn't come up for ne recently.
The Gen. clonazepam seems to be working OK, but I have nothing to compare it against ... the last time I took it was 2 yrs ago at much lower dose (.5x2/day?) and I have a high tolerance anyway. For all I know, I could get by on 1/2 the dose of brand-name.
I mustn't get too negative, though -- it IS working, and I trust my pharmacist to at least look for best quality generics --haven't spoken to him yet, though.
Tony P
>
> I can see why you're frustrated! Is there an appeals process for special cases? I know that U.S. insurance companies, whose co-pays have been skyrocketing for brand names, allow appeals demonstrating medical necessity, and sometimes you'll get lucky and the appeal will be accepted.
>
> Rick
This is the end of the thread.
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