is clonazepam the same as klonopin

[sdnj06]

hi i am currently on .5 mg of clonazepam and i see alot about a med on here called klonopin i went online and it seems that clonazepam and klonopin are almost the same is this true? any one have any info or experience taaking these meds let me know.

steve

[RCA7591]

Clonazepam is the generic name for Klonopin. Having said that, there is a world of difference between them in terms of efficacy and potency.

Klonopin/Roche is *vastly* superior to the generic. If your insurance covers brand name, go for Klonopin.

Roche has been making Klonopin (originally called Clonopin) for 32 years. The generic has only been available for 9 years. There is a 30% reduction in potency with *most* generic forms (the only exception is the TEVA brand, which is closer).

Some Klonopin Trivia:

(1) The name was switched from Clonopin to Klonopin in 1984, as pharmacists were confusing Clonopin with Clonidine (an antihypertensive).

(2) The "K" punchout appeared in 1998, when Roche's patent ran out, and the generic form became available. Some claim that the new "K" Klonopin is not as effective as the older version without the "K" (which is untrue). Roche made the look distinctive with the "K", just as they did with the "V" for Valium.

(3) Klonopin was originally developed as an anticonvulsant, and was sold as an anticonvulsant for most of its existance. It is now indicated as the front line therapy for panic disorder. It was used off-label since the 80's for anxiety.

Probably more than you ever wanted to know about Klonopin!

-Ryan

[spade22]

Ryan,

I am curious as to why there would be a difference in efficacy and potency between the generic and "label" drug; a 30% difference is highly significant!  If the active compound is the same in each case, and is present in the same quantity, then the effect should be identical.  The only thing I can think of that would have any significant impact on drug effect is its purity.

[debaser23]

I'm taking the generic Clonazepam.  While what RCA says may be true, my med is working for me.

RCA -- When I go to the pharmacist for a refill can I ask for "TEVA"?  Is there any way to tell who manufactured the pills I'm taking now?

[RCA7591]

Legally, the tolerance can vary by 20% between brand and generic, and for most medications, they are well within this tolerance (usually much "tighter" than 20%).

Clonazepam is different for some reason ( the reports I've read indicate a 30% reduction in potency between name brand Klonopin and *some* generics), and subjective observations from patients seem to back this as well. If one were started on generic Clonazepam, the drug *would* work well. BUT, if one were switched from brand name Klonopin to generic Clonazepam, a problem could result (the problem being the reduction in potency and protracted withdrawal symptoms as a result).

Three US manufacturers make generic Clonazepam:

-Watson
-PurePac
-TEVA

The reports indicate that the TEVA brand is within the allowable tolerance, and that the others are "less potent"

Debaser, the TEVA brand is identified by the number:

93
832

The tablet is yellow in color, scored, 0.5 mg in dose. You can ask your pharmacist to order TEVA brand for you. YOU have an advantage, as you were never given brand name Klonopin. Therefore, you had the advantage of using the cheaper generic med (brand name is not cheap).

One correction to a statement I made earlier: There is no alteration in "efficacy" between brand and generic, particularly if one were started on the generic. Problems would arrise *only* if one were switched from brand to generic only.

Clonazepam IS Clonazepam, but the potency varies between the various offerings (Klonopin/Roche, Watson, Purepac, TEVA). So, choose ONE brand, and stick to that brand only.
Usually, a pharmacy orders only one generic brand.


-Ryan

[debaser23]

According to an internet search ("273" is imprinted on my pills), mine are manufactured by an outfit called Caraco Pharmaceutical.  

Do you know anything about these?  They seem to be working find as far as I can tell, and the only problem I can see is variances between batches.  Is Caraco a reputable manufacturer?

[RCA7591]

I have not heard of Caraco. I can't comment.

-Ryan

[OHIOBIPOLAR]

This is the 2nd time this year I have gotton a bad batch of generic.I am now in full blown withdrawl and a doctor who dosn't give a damn.RCA you are very right about generic.They had to order Klonapin for me last Friday 24 April 2009 and I still have one day to go.I can't thank you enough for confirming what I have always thought

[Phish2009]

The pharmaceutical company by the name of CARACO Pharmaceuticals is the same company as PurePac. They make many generic drugs that work decent depending on the individual. The pill with the imprint (273/.5) is a generic Klonopin (Clonazepam) , round, yellow, and 0.5mg (milligrams). The pill is also scored on the side imprinted .5 - For a photo of this pill please view this link:
http://www.pharmer.org/images/domestic/clonazepam-273-5

-Phish09

[satori269]

I'm a chemist in the Pharm industry (cannot say which one for fear of reprisal) and the only thing that can vary by 20% are the fillers which have NO affect on the efficacy of the meds with the exception of a very few which CANNOT be prescribed generically.

S.S.

[RCA759I]

Fascinating. You must work for Mylan to believe such BS. Imported Chinese garbage, it is, from my experience anyway, and only in my opinion.

I was formerly a chemist (analytical), although I have never worked with pharmaceuticals or biologicals. From what I am able to gather from the FDA's website, there is indeed an allowable tolerance range in regards to BA and BE between brand and generic drugs, as well as between differing brands of generic drugs. The data for Clonazepam is readily available on the FDA's website, and comparing the figures for Watson Clonazepam compared against Klonopin/Roche. The variations are rather pronounced.

My brother suffers from temporal lobe epilepsy, and has taken 1200 milligrams of Tegretol (Carbamazepine) since the age of eight years. Last year, when his new insurance carrier refused to cover Tegretol/Novartis, he was switched to generic Carbamazepine. Prior to this switch, he had been free of seizures for ten years. Three days superseding the switch from brand to generic, he suffered a twenty-minute tonic-clonic seizure, which was rapidly treated with 12 milligrams of intravenous Lorazepam. Following the incident, he remained on the generic for an additional three days, after which point the same sequence of events transpired. His plasma level of Carbamazepine, upon testing, had declined by 50 ng/mL. Upon resuming Tegretol/Novartis at the same dosage, his plasma level readily increased to within his normal therapeutic range, and he has been seizure-free since.

So chemist, why did my brother's Carbamazepine level decrease by 50 micrograms per milliliter, causing him to suffer a recurrence of epilepsy, followed by a six-month revocation of his driver's license if "everything is equal"?

-Ryan