Ryan - Generic drugs

[ccamrine]

Hey Ryan, rad car on your picture.  Anyway,  I was taking generic celexa and klonopin from the local drug store (CVS) and everything was fine.  Well, then I ordered the generics from my insurance's mail order place (Caremark).  When I started the citalopram from caremark the first and maybe second day I felt a little dizzy.  Then about a week later I started the clonazepam from caremark and I felt more tired during the day.  Is there that much of a difference between generics from different pharmaceuticals?

[RCA7591]

Thanks. The car is a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 (390 ci engine).

Generic drugs have an allowable tolerance of +/- 20%. However, it is more variable with Clonazepam. Some reports suggest that generic Clonazepam can vary by as much as 30% (usually minus).

The TEVA and Caraco brand generics are nearly identical in potency to brand name Roche Klonopin. Watson, Mylan, and PurePac are sub-par in terms of potency.

My guess would be that you were previously using any of the latter three generics (Watson, Mylan, PurePac), and that your new prescription is either the TEVA or Caraco brand.

From personal experience, I have found that the TEVA brand is identical to brand name Roche Klonopin, and that PurePac is less potent than both TEVA and Roche Klonopin.

So the answer is definitely YES, there can be a difference in potency between brand and generic, or between generics. The allowable tolerance is +/- 20%, but appears to be more variable with Clonazepam than with the other Benzodiazepines.

Ryan

[ccamrine]

My best friend had that same car when we were in our early 20's.  It was green and original everything.  We loved that car.

[often]

well no wonder they are cheaper.....they aren't as strong.....damn...and they have been telling me all along that they are the same.......sounds like a class action suit in the making ....

[pvcqueen]

where is your documentation that states that generic drugs can be only 80% as potent?!?  I have been taught that they are exactly the same.  Where does it say this??

[often]

From the FDA:

"Health professionals and consumers can be assured that FDA approved generic drugs have met the same rigid standards as the innovator drug. To gain FDA approval, a generic drug must:
contain the same active ingredients as the innovator drug(inactive ingredients may vary)
be identical in strength, dosage form, and route of administration
have the same use indications
be bioequivalent
meet the same batch requirements for identity, strength, purity, and quality
be manufactured under the same strict standards of FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations required for innovator products "

Seems to me that does not allow for +/- 20%

[ccamrine]

I just checked the bottle labels on the clonazepam.  The CVS brand (what I previously took) are made by Teva, USA.  The new ones from Caremark are made by Caraco.  Interesting, huh?

Also, the citalopram is made by Aurobindo Pha.  Know anything about them?

[debaser23]

You have to dig in the FDA's website but it is there...there really is an "acceptable" difference for generics.  I've read it myself but it's been a while and can't point you to a link or anything.

Interestingly, I was on Caraco clonazepam for a long time and switched to Teva a few weeks ago.  I'd always heard Teva was the best, but now I'm not so sure.  It took a few days for me to notice a difference, but my A/P has been rebounding like crazy lately.  I've had two full blown panic attacks in the last week.  Prior to that I hadn't had any since beginning treatment.

Then again, I suppose this could vary from person to person, or perhaps something else is going on with me.  I really don't know.  

[RCA7591]

http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/ntiletter.htm

Keep in mind that Clonazepam is an "NTI" drug, as it is used as an anticonvulsant.

The range is actually 80-125% for generics. The newsletter above raises concerns for drugs that have a "narrow therapeutic index".

If you think brand and generic are equal, think again.

Ryan

[pvcqueen]

I suggest you all call your doctors or the pharmacist and find out if the generic you are talking is in fact weaker or stronger than the brand name..........the FDA article than Ryan referrenced confirms THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.  I hope nobody thinks they can pop 2 pills cuz Ryan said they are not as strong.  Heck, they could be stronger too, according to him.  I also hope nobody cuts them down or starts chipping.