Kolonopin to generic Clonazepam

[Laurallei]

Hello All,

I have been taking one nad a half Kolonopin wafers (.375) at night for the past 6 months or so.  I have been recently told that the maker of Kolonopin no londer makes the .25 wafer so have been given the generic form.  Just wondering if anyone has had the experience with changing and might have any feedback.  I started the change last night.  My doctor mentioned that most patients take the generic form. I just want to make sure I don't experience any negative reactions.

Thanks,
Laura

[amish1979]

I only take the generic and I have had no problems.

[Laurallei]

Thanks for the feed back.  I will continue with taking the generic.

Laura

[Paxiled]

There's an excellent post somewhere on here by Ryan whatever his number is.  Try to find it.

[Laurallei]

o.k. thanks
Laura

[amish1979]

This?

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/is-clonazepam-the-same-as-klonopin-/show/4948

[Laurallei]

Interesting.  The generic I have been given is from a company call BARR.   I guess I'm going to have to stick with it because Kolonopin no longer makes the .25 wafers as I'm told.  Will have to see how things go.

Thanks all for your responses.

Laura

[RCA759I]

Nothing wrong with the generic wafers. BARR is a quality company. The Klonopin Wafers are still available from Roche in all sizes (1/8 mg, 1/4 mg, 1/2 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg). If you prefer the brand name, simply inquire to a pharmacist, and he/she will custom order them for you. Generally, it takes 24 hours to receive a custom order.

The tablets, however, vary depending on the manufacturer. When using the tablets, Klonopin/Roche is advisable to maintain consistency. For those just beginning Clonazepam, I would recommend selecting one generic, and remaining with that particular make. For those who have already started on Klonopin/Roche, switching to a generic can be problematic, given gross variations in bioavailability and bioequivalency, in addition to other factors. There have been many reports of this posted here (search archives if interested).

Personal experience and objective data tell me that Roche tablets are best, and that there are no inconsistencies between the brand and generic wafers. The wafers have little room for error, as they are very rapidly absorbed. Binders and fillers in tablets are all subject to variation (depending on the manufacturer), which likely affects absorption, and subsequently, onset of action, AUC Max, BA and BE.

One day, I intend to write a post with my objective findings on this subject.

Ryan

[Laurallei]

Hi Ryan,

Thankk for this info.  As always your comments are appreciated.  I have to say I do prefer the brand name wafers simply because they for one taste better and are easly able to split.  The generic I have found are like chaulk and taste horrible.  I did inquire with the pharmacist at CVS and they were adament that the .25 wafers are no longer being made.  I'm wondering at this point who I can contact.  I will continue my search for them and continue to take the generic since that is all I have for now.

Once again thank you for you info

Be Well All,
Laura

[Laurallei]

Hello All,

After my last post I ended up contacting Roche in NJ and did verify that they are no longer manufacturing the wafer.  So for those of you who are currently taking them, you will end up as I having to take the generic form at some point.  Thanks to Ryans post I do feel much more relieved in knowing that...

" there are no inconsistencies between the brand and generic wafers. The wafers have little room for error, as they are very rapidly absorbed."  (Hope you do mind me quoting you Ryans :) ).

Thanks Again Ryan.

Cheers!
Laura

[RCA759I]

Hi Laura,

Well, you've confirmed it with a phone call to headquarters in Nutley, NJ, and I've also confirmed it by trying to fill my wafer script yesterday with my other scripts. The only thing left in stock were the 2 mg wafers, the others had sold out. The pharmacist was unable to source them. So, I decided to fill it anyway, and was given the PAR generic for a whopping $10. Beats paying $50, but I don't like change. I'm also sort of shocked that Roche would discontinue their quality product, but indeed they have. If they discontinue the tablets, I will raise hell!

The verdict? They aren't nearly as tasty, the onset of action appears to be ten minutes quicker for PAR (20 minutes vs. 30 minutes), the peak 1/2 hour faster (1 1/2 hours vs. 2 hours) and the duration of action appears to be an hour or two shy of 12 hours (just barely noticeable to me). Aside from that, I am not able to discern a difference between the two. These are my subjective impressions of the PAR version. I don't see any issues at all for those who will be converted to one of these generics (BARR, PAR, TEVA). They are all comprised of the same exact inactive ingredients, and the pharmacokinetics and dynamics should be equal for all of them - minimizing variations between any two generics. The tablets are a different story.

Ryan

[theotterone]

I have always been on the generic and haven't had a problem with it...

[Kirby12]

While Ryan has excellent advice - Roche DOES NOT make any wafer officially and announced the discontinuation on August 19th.  What was out there was recalled in June for being sub-potent.  I too have struggled to find the best generic to taper off - Par is a sugar pill - Teva (Barr) seems closer to the brand but for me - hits hard but doesn't seem to last as long.  My body can't deal with the tablets.  I refuse to go the valium route but would be interested if anyone has had success with any other generic wafer.