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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kate in NY on June 10, 2014, at 15:17:57
I went to 3 pharmacies today and they are all backordered for Klonopin and no one seems to really know the reason. Klonopin is no longer made by Hoffman LaRoche in Nutley, NJ. The plant was closed down last year. Now it's made by Genentech. I spoke to a manager at Genetech today and they told me that they are in the midst of fulfilling regulatory requirements and they will not start production of Klonopin until September.
I have used generic Klonopin in the past and it was like taking a chiclet. Does anyone have a brand of generic klonopin that they like?
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2014, at 16:37:59
In reply to Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kate in NY on June 10, 2014, at 15:17:57
That is interesting to know. I never took the generic version just brand. And it was not a good med for me. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on June 11, 2014, at 5:23:23
In reply to Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kate in NY on June 10, 2014, at 15:17:57
Hello, when I was on klonopin, this same thing happened one time. I had built up a supply, so I waited it out. But due to the expense of Brand, I switched to TEVA Clonazepam. I had a couple of nights of feeling strange, like my skin got real sensitive, almost burning sensation. After that, I was fine and continued on with TEVA. It had the same effect as Brand. Good luck
Posted by Invictis on June 17, 2014, at 18:13:50
In reply to Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kate in NY on June 10, 2014, at 15:17:57
Hey, Kat.
I take brand name Roche Klonopin as well, and it's been on manufacturing backorder for the past two months. I've scrambled and emptied out every pharmacy that has any remaining, and it's gotten to the point where I can't find the brand anymore at all.
So you're telling me I have to take a generic until September? Can you please give me the phone # of the manufacturer you talked to?
I've been taking brand name Klonopin, 4mg a day, for 5 years now. I switched to the Teva generic once(and Teva is the highest regarded generic), and it felt like I was eating skittles, they had NO effect on me; to the point where I went up to the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if they gave me sugar pills.
I have enough brand to last me until Monday, but all hell is going to break loose then if I'm switched to generic. Please get back to me with any additional information you can provide.
Thank you.
Posted by Kirby on June 26, 2014, at 6:16:13
In reply to Re: Klonopin Shortage » Kate in NY, posted by gadchik on June 11, 2014, at 5:23:23
Wow - I went down this path 5 years ago when Roche discontinued the wafers and ended up in the ER with a seizure from generics. I'll call this morning but any indication what's out there is not as good as when Roche was producing?
Posted by Kirby on June 29, 2014, at 11:41:39
In reply to Re: Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kirby on June 26, 2014, at 6:16:13
What's posted is confirmed - they actually stopped production in March - and aren't real clear why. FDA compliance is their public statement. They are now saying possibly October and I'm in the same boat. I have never found a generic that acted even close (treating trigeminal neuralgia) so ....I'd love to know if anyone was any suggestions - compounding is an option - the raw ingredient is readily available from PCCA in Houston so it's not a shortage of "material"
Posted by Invictis on June 29, 2014, at 23:46:28
In reply to Re: Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kirby on June 29, 2014, at 11:41:39
Kirby
I switched to TEVA generic last Monday, after being on brand name only for five years. It's been a full 7 days, and I'm fine for the most part. Heightened anxiety a bit, but that's about it. No seizures or anything.
You really have no options other than to switch to a generic unfortunately.
And yeah, I called genentech(they took over operations of Roche in North America) -- they told me production is halted until at least October.
Best of luck to you, try not to think about it much; the more you worry, the worse your anxiety will become. I was worrying myself sick about switching over and it didn't help any.
Visit benzobuddies.org as well for support. I made a thread recently on it in the "chewing the fat" section.
Posted by Kirby on June 30, 2014, at 6:02:43
In reply to Re: Klonopin Shortage, posted by Invictis on June 29, 2014, at 23:46:28
Invicts - thank you - I've tried Teva before but, as you say - options are low. My condition is a bit unique in that differences in bioavailabiity cause the temporal muscle to expand and pinch the temporal arty (that was ruptured) and can't describe the pain. I've heard 2 answer - 1st ca;; said September - 2nd said October - I think we all have to assume the worst that even if they are back in production 10/1 - could be 30 days before it gets distributed to the retail level. (They will not say why other than FDA compliance).
Same thing happened with their wafers and they discontinued - hope that isn't the case. Appreciate your support
Posted by Invictis on July 5, 2014, at 17:07:32
In reply to Re: Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kirby on June 30, 2014, at 6:02:43
No problem, best of luck to you.
I'll post if I hear any updates, I think we're just going to have to tough it out until October though. Let me know if you hear anything as well.
Posted by Zyprexa on July 19, 2014, at 5:18:33
In reply to Klonopin Production Stoppage, posted by Lida Waretnick on July 19, 2014, at 1:31:14
I don't take klonipin but have switched from brand to generic of many meds. I find that it just takes practice. Usually the generic does not work quite the same as brand but after time of months and mayby years the generic starts to work well. Also I will try many generics first to find the most tolerable one. Some times a dosage change is necessary, usualy up.
Posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2014, at 9:32:53
In reply to Klonopin Production Stoppage, posted by Lida Waretnick on July 19, 2014, at 1:31:14
Hi Lida. I just wanted to add that I recently purchased namebrand valium to see if it worked. As after 44 years generic doesn't relax like it did. So the name brand valium is still available. Was under $100 for a 30 day supply. I didn't take it though as after one I didn't like the way it felt. I agree with zyprexa finding a generic and adjusting the dose most likely would work. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 19, 2014, at 15:18:29
In reply to Re: Klonopin Production Stoppage » Lida Waretnick, posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2014, at 9:32:53
I'm really sorry about the name brand Klonopin issue. But...generics aren't all bad.Most of them are good enough. Like the other posters have said, just try to find a good one. Some people have favorite brands. Back when I was on clonazepam, Teva seemed quality, for me.
Posted by gadchik on July 19, 2014, at 17:33:10
In reply to Re: Klonopin Production Stoppage, posted by Christ_empowered on July 19, 2014, at 15:18:29
Hi, I switched from Roche Klonopin to Teva clonazepam. Had a couple of weird days, then felt fine on Teva, same dose. I did the switch b/c Roche stopped production a few yrs ago for a few months and I didnt trust Roche after that. Im now on a generic diazepam, tapering off completely b/c I couldnt taper clonazepam. good luck to u
Posted by Lidarose on July 19, 2014, at 21:18:04
In reply to Klonopin Shortage, posted by Kate in NY on June 10, 2014, at 15:17:57
I've been a user of brand-name Klonopin for 28 years now, for Peripheral Neuropathy, (off label use), and am very concerned about the ceasing of brand-name production.
I too called Roche-Genentech, and was told "maybe production would resume this coming October".
I'm very worried they are removing it from the market, (as they did with Valium), due to all the lousy generics available, which don't work the same for me, and cause me to go into horrendous withdrawal.
I only take 3 to 4 halves of a 1/2 mg. tablet daily, i.e., 3/4 mg. to 1 mg. daily, but when I tried to cut back to 1/2 mg. daily, went into spasmatic withdrawal.
Can anyone recommend a generic that has worked as well as the brand-name Klonopin?
You would think companies like Roche-Genentech would show some compassion for users of their brand name drug because of the withdrawal they will almost certainly experience via switching to a generic version that doesn't work as well, but as always, it's only the bottom line in dollars these large companies care about! Very sad... :-(
Thanx!
Lida
This is the end of the thread.
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