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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 38. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 16:19:34
I know that this varies from person to person, but I'm wondering what are some favorite manufacturers of generic Xanax.
I'm currently taking Mylan, but will need to switch to Sandoz because I'm changing insurance carriers and Sandoz is what the new insurance supplies.
From reading different forums on the internet, it seems to be a general consensus that Mylan is one of the weakest of the US generics. (And reading the older posts on here about Mylan did not increase my confidence in the stuff...) I'm very curious what other people think.
I've heard very good things about Greenstone, but found that they didn't do much for me.
Any input will be appreciated as I consider switching to Sandoz.
Posted by ricker on June 2, 2009, at 16:44:02
In reply to best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 16:19:34
My generics have always been either Sandoz or Apo
and I have yet to experience any issues.Take care, Rick
Posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 17:05:49
In reply to best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 16:19:34
Greenstone is really the real deal you should do well on it. How long did you try it? Made by manufacturer of brandname. Phillipa see above link on generics and the sender is on the withdrawing from klonopin thread as he discovered the generic wasn't as good as the real deal. So back on real deal for one day and he feels great. So please read thread on generics mentioning zoloft. Phillipa
Posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 19:53:48
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 17:05:49
Posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 20:16:04
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 17:05:49
> Greenstone is really the real deal you should do well on it. How long did you try it? Made by manufacturer of brandname. Phillipa see above link on generics and the sender is on the withdrawing from klonopin thread as he discovered the generic wasn't as good as the real deal. So back on real deal for one day and he feels great. So please read thread on generics mentioning zoloft. Phillipa
Fortunately, the Mylan does work and isn't causing withdrawal like the klonopin fellow. I just feel like it should be working better. I've increased my dose recently since I sort of had a relapse. And I feel A LOT better, but not as good as I think I would on a stronger generic (or actual name-brand, ideally, but my insurance says no to that.) I've read quite a bit on the internet about people thinking Mylan is a weak generic...it works, but could I be getting more relief from the panic and anxiety? I was on a dose this high back in 1995-99 before I tapered significantly until two months ago. Looking back, I *think* that the dose helped more then than it is now. Then again, maybe I just need some time. It's only been about two months since the symptoms came roaring back.
Regarding Greenstone, I filled a prescription a couple weeks ago at a pharmacy that supplies it after reading raves about it in forums such as this. The pharmacy didn't have enough to fill my script, though, so they gave me a three day supply. I tried it a couple times but didn't feel like it worked very well (less potent than the Mylan to me.) So, instead of returning to get the full prescription at that pharmacy, I went to the one that supplies Mylan. Could I have not given the Greenstone enough time to work properly? I'd think you'd know right away with alprazolam.
So, I want to try Sandoz, I suppose, since I keep reading that it is better than Mylan, up there with Greenstone. I fear getting a script and having it not work well for me, though, which is why I'm looking for feedback. It'll be a couple weeks until my refill, so I guess I'm trying to decide whether to take the "Sandoz gamble"...
Thanks,
Dan
Posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 21:50:02
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 20:16:04
Not necessarily. Suggestion? How bought paying for a few days worth of the namebrand. Try it and see. Then compare to Greenstone and Sandoz? I think Sandoz has the Greenstone brand now there is a thread poster name Abby Cunningham who explains who bought which company was only last week I think?. They say if you start on a generic it's okay but if it was the real deal no dice. Did you read the link and What the FDA requires for a generic? Not much. Love Phillipa ps what's important is that you get the med that works the best for your body chemistry.
Posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 23:42:24
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 21:50:02
> Not necessarily. Suggestion? How bought paying for a few days worth of the namebrand. Try it and see. Then compare to Greenstone and Sandoz? I think Sandoz has the Greenstone brand now there is a thread poster name Abby Cunningham who explains who bought which company was only last week I think?. They say if you start on a generic it's okay but if it was the real deal no dice. Did you read the link and What the FDA requires for a generic? Not much. Love Phillipa ps what's important is that you get the med that works the best for your body chemistry.
I don't feel comfortable asking my doctor for a mini-prescription of brand name. I feel like she thinks I'm a freak for even being concerned about the generic/brand issue. But maybe I should just suck it up and ask. It would be nice if she could give me samples of a few different generics along with brand name. Problem is, if I tried the brand and really liked it, well, as you say above, it'd be difficult to go back to generic.
When you say "not necessarily" above, is that in reply to my saying that I'd know after just a dose or two whether Greenstone was working well for me? Do you think it might take longer to get used to it?
I tried to read the article (I think I found the right thread) about generics, but I couldn't open the link because I don't have an AOL screen name or something... Weird.
I appreciate all your help, Phillipa.
Posted by SLS on June 3, 2009, at 5:54:05
In reply to best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 16:19:34
I'm on Mylan lamotrigine right now. I find it to be worse than Teva, and I relapsed on Teva. I didn't even know that Sandoz made generics. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of some before fighting with the drug company to pay for the real thing.
Thanks for the information.
- Scott
Posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 10:48:01
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2009, at 21:50:02
> Not necessarily. Suggestion? How bought paying for a few days worth of the namebrand. Try it and see. Then compare to Greenstone and Sandoz?>
Are pdocs willing to give away samples? I'd like to call my doctor and ask her to give me a sample of Sandoz when I see her in a week. (I don't know if that's enough time, though.) And, I may also ask her for some Greenstone, since I only took it a few isolated times, as well as namebrand.
Is this reasonable to ask? Is a week enough lead time? Will she think I'm trying to hoard pills?
thanks yet again,
Dan
Posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 10:50:04
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by SLS on June 3, 2009, at 5:54:05
> I'm on Mylan lamotrigine right now. I find it to be worse than Teva, and I relapsed on Teva. I didn't even know that Sandoz made generics. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of some before fighting with the drug company to pay for the real thing.
>
> Thanks for the information.You're welcome - hope it helps!
Posted by yxibow on June 3, 2009, at 15:24:52
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » Phillipa, posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 10:48:01
> > Not necessarily. Suggestion? How bought paying for a few days worth of the namebrand. Try it and see. Then compare to Greenstone and Sandoz?>
>
> Are pdocs willing to give away samples? I'd like to call my doctor and ask her to give me a sample of Sandoz when I see her in a week. (I don't know if that's enough time, though.) And, I may also ask her for some Greenstone, since I only took it a few isolated times, as well as namebrand.
>
> Is this reasonable to ask? Is a week enough lead time? Will she think I'm trying to hoard pills?
No. And the number of "original" samples are coming down with tightening on drug representatives.Generics are not given away as samples, hawked on TV, and print ads, hence they are CHEAPER, that's why they're generics.
I just don't see the issue with generic Xanax since it came out in 1981 -- I don't think you'd want samples from 1981.
But to each their own.
-- Jay
Posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 16:11:49
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by yxibow on June 3, 2009, at 15:24:52
> > > Not necessarily. Suggestion? How bought paying for a few days worth of the namebrand. Try it and see. Then compare to Greenstone and Sandoz?>
> >
> > Are pdocs willing to give away samples? I'd like to call my doctor and ask her to give me a sample of Sandoz when I see her in a week. (I don't know if that's enough time, though.) And, I may also ask her for some Greenstone, since I only took it a few isolated times, as well as namebrand.
> >
> > Is this reasonable to ask? Is a week enough lead time? Will she think I'm trying to hoard pills?
>
>
> No. And the number of "original" samples are coming down with tightening on drug representatives.
>
> Generics are not given away as samples, hawked on TV, and print ads, hence they are CHEAPER, that's why they're generics.
>
> I just don't see the issue with generic Xanax since it came out in 1981 -- I don't think you'd want samples from 1981.
>
> But to each their own.
>
> -- JayJay,
I presume that by "no" you mean I shouldn't expect my pdoc to give me samples, right?
Also, you're saying doctors do not give out samples of generics because they don't get them. That makes sense. And restrictions are reducing the number of name brand samples that the pharmaceutical companies give out to doctors. That also makes sense.
Finally, are you saying that you think generic = brand? I used to think that, and may think it again someday soon, but for now I'm obsessing. I just don't feel quite as good as I recall feeling last time I was on a dose this high. And I've read too much about Mylan (my generic now) being weak. The internet is a blessing and a curse...
Thanks,
dan
Posted by SLS on June 3, 2009, at 16:27:53
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » yxibow, posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 16:11:49
> Finally, are you saying that you think generic = brand? I used to think that, and may think it again someday soon, but for now I'm obsessing. I just don't feel quite as good as I recall feeling last time I was on a dose this high. And I've read too much about Mylan (my generic now) being weak. The internet is a blessing and a curse...
At the very least, the drug used in the generic preparation is exactly the same as that used in the name brand preparation. However, the rest of the recipe can be completely different. The delivery system - the binders, fillers, and other excipients - is different. The manufacturing process is necessarily different; different humidity, pressure, pH, etc. This doesn't even take into consideration the chemical reactions that might occur between the drug or the excipients with the rest of their chemical environment.
Different is different. This is as true of the pills as it is of the digestive systems of the people who take them.
- Scott
Posted by yxibow on June 3, 2009, at 17:31:03
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » yxibow, posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 16:11:49
> Jay,
>
> I presume that by "no" you mean I shouldn't expect my pdoc to give me samples, right?Yup... generics
> Also, you're saying doctors do not give out samples of generics because they don't get them. That makes sense. And restrictions are reducing the number of name brand samples that the pharmaceutical companies give out to doctors. That also makes sense.
Basically.... there's no incentive for feel-good programs for generics, since they're made on the cheap.
Yeah... there's been a reduction in that with our litigious society.
> Finally, are you saying that you think generic = brand? I used to think that, and may think it again someday soon, but for now I'm obsessing.I didn't say that generics are always 100% the same as the "original"... bindings, as Scott said digestion, etc....
But I really can't think that there are too many people out there not taking generic benzodiazepines or propranolol or TCAs as they are medications up to 50 years old and its just pure profit if Valium is even stamped out by the original makers. You're talking the difference on an average prescription of like $5-$20 and $50-100 for the "real".
I just don't feel quite as good as I recall feeling last time I was on a dose this high. And I've read too much about Mylan (my generic now) being weak. The internet is a blessing and a curse...Yes, if you read every drug side effect in a PI (prescribing information).... you'll get medical student syndrome. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have informed consent to take a medication.
Well... Mylan did get into hot water in California by buying up all the raw materials for benzodiazepines... but its been quite a while since that settlement.
Xanax at a high dose ... you can habituate quite easily because of the short half life (at least my unqualified opinion) so it isn't out of the question that you might not feel the same.
-- Jay
Posted by greywolf on June 3, 2009, at 18:25:37
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by yxibow on June 3, 2009, at 17:31:03
The generics vs. brand name issue has always vexed me. I'd love to go brand name on everything (I do on some because there is no other choice), but even with generics I estimate my monthly co-pays for asthma and psychological medications at approximately $150.00. Then you add in the co-pays for the monthly doctors' and therapist's visits and you've got another $85.00. Finally, add in the co-pays for my 3 kids, two of whom have asthma and allergies, and one's in physical therapy and it's another about $200.00. So I end up paying about $400.00/month in co-pays (when you include the ex-wife's co-pays on my insurance) for a normal month (we won't add in the occasional hospital co-pay for lacrosse and football injuries).
Consequently, generics are essential for me. Wish that weren't the case because I think I'd be receiving more effective treatment with most brand names, but there's little I can do about it.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2009, at 19:47:40
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by greywolf on June 3, 2009, at 18:25:37
The way I figure it if the difference between being well or not is brand vs generic I'd have to find a way to pay for it as in the long run would cost less. Less docs visits less meds possibly. And no I'd ask for name brand for a few days and decide for yourself as it's you're life you're dealing with. also a few days of namebrand to ask the pdoc for same amount of pills. I did this myseelf more than once. Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on June 3, 2009, at 20:10:40
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2009, at 19:47:40
> The way I figure it if the difference between being well or not is brand vs generic I'd have to find a way to pay for it as in the long run would cost less. Less docs visits less meds possibly. And no I'd ask for name brand for a few days and decide for yourself as it's you're life you're dealing with. also a few days of namebrand to ask the pdoc for same amount of pills. I did this myseelf more than once. Phillipa
The problem for me is that if I went brand name on Parnate, Cytomel, Xanax, and Omeraprazole in addition to already being on brand name Lunesta and Namenda, my costs were be sky-high. Hundreds of dollars per month more. It's not realistic for me and it wouldn't change the number of doctor appointments I have. I have a regular schedule of CBT twice a month along with a required monthly visit with my psychiatrist. My GP's only every 2 or 3 months, so that's no big deal, but the other stuff adds up quickly.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2009, at 21:39:34
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by greywolf on June 3, 2009, at 20:10:40
Greywolf having a family does complicate things. Money is the root of all evil. Especially today. But this poster could see since it's only one med? Love Phillipa
Posted by drylightning on June 3, 2009, at 22:56:25
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » greywolf, posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2009, at 21:39:34
> Greywolf having a family does complicate things. Money is the root of all evil. Especially today. But this poster could see since it's only one med? Love Phillipa
For me it would only be the one med. I do have a wife and two kids, but I'm the only one on regular medication. But we're talking at least $150/month, I think, since my insurance doesn't cover any of the cost of most brand name drugs. Something to consider, but probably out of the question because of the cost.
Posted by yxibow on June 4, 2009, at 1:00:08
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2009, at 19:47:40
> The way I figure it if the difference between being well or not is brand vs generic I'd have to find a way to pay for it as in the long run would cost less. Less docs visits less meds possibly. And no I'd ask for name brand for a few days and decide for yourself as it's you're life you're dealing with. also a few days of namebrand to ask the pdoc for same amount of pills. I did this myseelf more than once. Phillipa
If your life really depended upon it, I'm not going to just continue to kowtow the party line of the FDA.... but... its true that there are a few medications that have such close tolerance that deviation is not acceptable to bring to market.And speaking of medications that your life depends on it -- some HIV medications are now officially generic, others are grey market generic in countries where it is a desperate need, and thirdly through patient support programs.
-- Jay
Posted by Abby Cunningham on June 4, 2009, at 10:17:03
In reply to best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 2, 2009, at 16:19:34
I have taken the Sandoz and Mylan brand of alprazolam (xanax) and when one time I felt withdrawal sx's on my regular dose, I was concerned about tolerance, so I asked my doctor to prescribe name brand and she did. It was fine, but then thanks to Phillipa I discovered "Greenstone" and BELIEVE ME, it is the REAL thing.
Greenstone is a subsidiary of Pfizer, I believe, who bought out Eli Lilly, the original makers of xanax and it is the same exact formula as far as I can tell. I love it (although hate taking benzo :( )
Posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2009, at 12:29:20
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by Abby Cunningham on June 4, 2009, at 10:17:03
Abby thanks for posting the buy outs of the companies as I didn't know them remembered you posting them. Yes Greenstone is the real deal. For some I guess it's acceptance that these meds are necessary for us. Love Phillipa
Posted by drylightning on June 4, 2009, at 12:45:33
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by Abby Cunningham on June 4, 2009, at 10:17:03
> I have taken the Sandoz and Mylan brand of alprazolam (xanax) and when one time I felt withdrawal sx's on my regular dose, I was concerned about tolerance, so I asked my doctor to prescribe name brand and she did. It was fine, but then thanks to Phillipa I discovered "Greenstone" and BELIEVE ME, it is the REAL thing.
>
> Greenstone is a subsidiary of Pfizer, I believe, who bought out Eli Lilly, the original makers of xanax and it is the same exact formula as far as I can tell. I love it (although hate taking benzo :( )
>I wonder why Greenstone didn't do much for me...
When I tried it, I only had a couple days worth to try, and I never took all Greenstone in one day. Do you think that could have something to do with it?
Posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2009, at 19:33:03
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax, posted by drylightning on June 4, 2009, at 12:45:33
Could have would take a few days to build up in your stystem. Phillipa
Posted by drylightning on June 4, 2009, at 20:03:58
In reply to Re: best/worst generic xanax » drylightning, posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2009, at 19:33:03
> Could have would take a few days to build up in your stystem. Phillipa
Thanks, Phillipa. Yes, that makes sense. So, I'm torn as to whether I should get Sandoz or Greenstone when I next fill my prescription. I would hate to try one or the other and then be stuck with a month of alprazolam that doesn't work well for me. I wish there was a way to get it filled with half of each.
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