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

[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?

[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?

[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.

[Brady603]

I have been on Generic Klonopin (Clonazepam) for over 10 years for the treatment of anxiety. My pharmacy switch from TEVA to MYLAN. The MYLAN does NOT work anywhere near as well for me period!

I do not have experience with the other generic brands.

Hopes this helps some people avoid the same problem I had.

[ggreg]

To Everyone in this Thread,
I post in a couple other communities, but recently have been having WORLDS of problems with a "new" generic clonazepam that Kmart pharmacy said they were switching me to last month when I got my refill.  Well, I start taking the "new" stuff, and all of a sudden I kind of freaked out, and I've been through a couple weeks of misery.  So, I am IMMENSELY reassured by reading what is here in this thread about some generics being diff than others, and that people here are also having problems like me.

But get this, I take four drugs:  I take clonazepam for panic disorder/anxiety, I take Zoloft for depression, I take Tylenol-Codeine#3 (generic kind, tho), and was on Lyrica for a while until it got too expensive and had to switch to Neurontin (big mistake).  ANYway, do you know that when I started taking this new generic clonazepam, ALL the things my other three medicines are supposed to help, they STOPPED helping me!  I am a nervous wreck, I am super depressed, and the Codeine stuff is for my Restless Legs Syndrome and even my legs are driving me nuts.  At least the pain that the Neurontin keeps straight is still working, altho now I am worrying about THAT medicine.

Now, since it could also be the Neurontin is catching up to me, I've decided when I see that doc Monday, I'm going to go back to the Lyrica...the insurance won't pull the plug for six months, so I'll stay on it that long, AND I am going to see my other doc for clonazepam, and I'm going to ask for one month script for pure Klonopin, then followed by clonazepam generic.  In this manner, I'll see how I feel when I refill all this stuff in two weeks (that's my date for ALL my meds).

But ALSO, thanks to this thread, I now know that when I go back to the generic clonazepam, I'll ask for the TEVA.  But could be Kmart won't have that anymore.  And my brain is so mixed up that even if I dragged out a few older bottles of it, I'll get confused as to what worked and what didn't.  I've been on it for ten years, and hey, I don't know.  But if they do not have TEVA, I guess I can at least ask the Kmart NOT to give me whatever they gave me a month ago when I got my refill, since that's when all the trouble started.

I confirmed this whole thing about the tranquilizer by taking an extra half a few days ago when I thought I was going to lose it, and I settled down quickly, altho not exactly where I'm supposed to be.  But I can testify that some generics of clonazepam are indeed NO GOOD, and, gosh, talk about scaring the heck out of me.  I didn't know WHAT was going on.  As everyone here at the Anxiety Forum knows, it don't take much to throw us over the edge, and then we're left wondering what did WE do wrong, what has TAKEN OVER ourselves!  You know!??!  

I could go on and on about my medicines and my busted-up back from a wreck and cause and effect, but GOLLY GEE WHIZ why can't the FDA or whoever is in charge of all our drugs MAKE DANG SURE that all this wildness we get with generics won't bother us poor folks who are sick, in pain, and thus cannot think straight, and imagine the people who cannot lobby for themselves cuz they are shelved in some long-term care facility.  I just thank Heaven that forums like these are available to us, who are willing to figure out WHAT IS GOING ON when we HAVE to take a bunch of medicines just to want to continue living, because I'm telling you, lately I haven't cared one HOOT about my life.  

Thank you everyone here in this thread and in this forum for letting me speak my mind.  And thanks to this thread for explaining so well and speaking up about how their medicines ain't working like they're sposed to.  I'm gonna go take an extra clonazepam pill right now, and try to have a normal day.
GG

[Tony_Tone]

Yes! the Only difference is that each company may be using different fillers that may or may not effect an individual. Generics have these fillers. Original brands (labels) such as Klonopin (K-Pinns) dont use fillers because klonopin is the primary ingredient in Clonazepam.  Klonopin is much more potent compared to a generic such as clonazepam due to its fillers. Generic companies for Klonopin such as Teva or Mylan. produce clonazepam. So Klonopin is much stronger than clonazepam because there is less Klonopin in Clonazepam.

[lynn57]

  I think your post is inaccurate.  Klonopin is a brand name.  Clonazepam is the actual drug it contains.  Regardless of fillers, if a drug contains .5 mg of the active ingredient, that's where the potency lies.  Problem is some generic meds simply don't measure up.

[gailgailga]

If the generic is the same as the BRAND NAME, I know the Brand name Klonopin is expensive sooo there is a great difference in the compounding of the drugs. Once a patent is no longer on a name brand drug, it is OPEN to GENERICS..CHEAPER to make soooothey are not exactly the same which can affect a person which is used to NAME BRANDS...

[gailgailga]

FDA is not regulated by the government soooo the do what they want regarding the release and no longer manufacturing a drug(name Brand)..They can just STOP making a Name Brand and you are really out of luck if you taking a one. IT IS A GAME THEY PLAY!! It is for their benefit not yours, The more money they can make they don`t care what is in the drug as long as it meets a STANDARD.  I have trouble taking generics, I wonder WHY...THERE is a difference in the compounding....They are holding a release date, if any, on the KLONOPIN NAME BRAND. They may choose not to release it at all. BE AWARE! There is a problem of drugs formulated to look like the same stuff getting into Hospitals and Pharmacies ...they are holding  a lot of drugs to be checked as they have had people die...The drugs look the same and that is the problem...A Dr. would have a hard time telling if it was a fake..One drug was antianxiety drugs...check you stuff, PLEASE...

[gailgailga]

ANY DRUG TAKEN FOR A LON PERIOD OF TIME CAN BE ADDICTIVE.  I am presently coming off of 2 mg. of Klonopin. I am at 1 1/4 tablets. THE MFG cannot give me a release date for the NAME BRAND, if any. So I am going to try and use a generic in combination with the name brand. I don`t think KLONOPIN was release at all in 2011.  The Dr. NEVER tells you how addictive these medicines as I really don`t think they know. They read from a medical book. I guess everyone is different so maybe that is why they do not say anything..go figure...Hopefully, when I get the generic..maybeI can tokerate it and can stay on1 1/4 tablets..I would not count my luckey stars on that though..Come off this stuff as slowly as you are able..thelonger, the better, I would think..Your body has to adjust to a dose for a good while..scary...

[jbl88]

In the strictest sense, there should be no difference in the efficacy of a given molecule, no matter who manufactured it, what size, shape or color the tablet, so long as it contains the same amount of the same active substance.

This is where there seems to be a problem.  While I don't have the equipment (or the skill) to confirm it, there seems to be something wrong with Mylan clonazepam, from my own and many other's experience.

Either they use fillers which interact with absorption, or _something_, but  simply way too many people report problems when switching from Roche or TEVA branded clonazepam to Mylan.

I know it doesn't make sense, to me either, but even I go out of my way to fill my klonopin Rx manufactured by TEVA.

Incidentally, I've had no problems with other Mylan products.

[CanuckGuy42]

In Canada it is marketed at Clonazapam not Klonopin and I believe it is the same drug.

[JGF25]

I am just going to do a quick jump in and say that my 1 mg clonazepam is made by TEVA and it works very well.  

[jbl88]

CanuckGuy42, as I'm sure has been mentioned, "Klonopin" is just the brand name given by clonazepam's original manufacturer, Roche.

JGF25, 1mg TEVA clonazepam (3x/day) is also what I take, and it works consistently well.  

But I can (and need) to talk about other things.... (I'm new here)

[MilesRpilot00]

yeah I believe besides the brand name Roche the Teva brand is way better then most all Generics almost similar to the K cuts but i would deff never go with the mylans but somewhat I have had my share of about everybrand minus a couple ... but i would say
1, k cuts
2.teva
3.actavis
4.qualtest{ purepac }
5.?????

[MsSr]

If there is no difference in the effectivness of generic and brand...why does the brand cost as much as it costs?  I have seen numerous neurologists and had tried all the generic with basically the same negative results...a hangover and experiencing a sureal feeling...even to the point of falling resulting in a head injury along with hip and knee injuries...all attributable to the generic.  As it has been explained to me by the neurologists is that the filler is the key.  The filler causes the "drug" to be released into the body at an inconsistent rate and on occasion can give the drug a longer half-life in your body.  As a mental health professional I consistently see a higher functioning individual who is taking the brand as opposed to the client taking the generic who is most oftem lethargic, slow thought processing.  Have you read that you can't sue a generic manafucter as long as they print the same precaution on their label as the brand...makes no sense unless all the ingredients are the same.  Shame on the government that allows the public who trust them to be lied/mislead in such a dangerous manner.  Congratulations to all wh generics work...the remainder of us will continue to pay the higher prices that keeps your prices low.   HAVE YOU HEARD THE BRAND COMPANIES ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP USCITIZENS FROM PURCHASING MEDS IN CANADA?

[Kris080]

I was prescribed .5 mg of Klonopin twice a day and .5 mg of xanax as needed back in March of this year, 2011. My insurance called for putting me on the generic as a default, and I was put on "Qualitest" brand for both. I have had panic disorder most of my life and I am in my 30's. At first it seemed to help and I was more relaxed, but then when I got in anxious situations, it barely did anything. So then I would pop a xanax and that became a habit. A night out of drinking on that combined? I was a loose cannon. It might be a good night or a bad night where I was falling over in my heels, and slurring and saying inappropriate things, and I guess the typical benzo-blackout behavior had begun within a few months. My friend's were scared, and I ran off potential friends because of the weird disconnect when I would talk, even after just a few beers. That, I was very aware of when I did it. Not only that, when it left my system, it was immediate. I could feel panic coming on within a few minutes. I would start twitching, stuttering, and a pain would rush through my heart. I tried to wean myself off of it, and someone who had just met me noticed my hands twitching at the dinner table as I was eating. Earlier that same night my head was spinning with old panicky thoughts and bad memories. It was horrible.

Knowing other people who take Klonopin and lead pretty full lives, even with moderate alcohol involved, I decided that trying to Rouche brand was my last option. My good friend told me that the generic adderall she was given before was making her eyes twitch and giving her tension headaches and spasms in her necks. Her Dr. told her to request the brand name, and she did and takes it now. She agreed that brand name drugs are better and cleaner. So I paid the expensive price for actual Klonopin and have been on it for the past month. OH WOW! What a world of difference. I never need the Xanax anymore (so I am not mixing a cocktail or drugs anymore), I have taken it to sleep a few times, but that's it. I quit taking Ambien too, and I am back to just simple over the counter natural sleep aid. I don't really have any side effects from drinking either. I mean I am not out there pounding shots or anything, but I can go out and have a moderate amount of drinks with friends if I have had a good meal and be fine. It's an amazing stabilizer, and it feels constant in my system. I just put more money on my benefits card so I can put money towards these prescriptions. I will never go back to generic again.

The fillers definitely affect how the compound is absorbed, and the brand name is definitely stronger. I don't even need my whole prescription. I take .25mg twice a day, and will add another .25 if I really need it, and that's it. I have over a week of extra pills left over and it's the end of the month already. I believe the brand name was cut with certain ingredients to create the most effective absorption level/rate for the patient. It's tried and true, and I believe that now. I think that maybe the different fillers that different generic companies use effect the way the drug reacts in your body as well as absorption into your blood stream. The same way mixing any different chemicals in your body does. If worse comes to worse, I guess I will find a pharmacy that prescribes this TEVA brand that you all are raving about. Until then, I am so happy with my magic circles with K's punched in them.

[roseml]

its the same medication

[nursegirl6572]

It's not as easy as saying "it's the same medication".  For all intents and purposes, it SHOULD be, but certain medications have a reputation of the generic version not being as effective.

It all depends on what works for each individual patient.  Some people have no issue with generics, and feel they work the same for them, and others are adamant that there is a huge difference.

This is the kind of debate that will always be around.

[Geo_Macon]

After having tried the Myland twice, I will no longer accept it, if the pharmacy tries to fill it with that worthless junk.   Why isn't there over-site on these drugs?

Teva works quite well with their clonazepam.   I take it for sleep and after this last batch of Myland haven't had a good night's sleep in a month.

I tried to get brand name klonopin but called five pharmacies in town and none had it in stock.  It would have to be a special order and my insurance (BCBS at the time) wouldn't cover it.

[nursegirl6572]

I'm not sure what you mean by "over-site"?

Generic medications are actually a good thing, they help to curb the ridiculously high pharmaceutical costs, which is why a lot of insurance companies will not cover the brand when a generic is available.  There are ways around that, however.  Most times, if your doctor simply checks the box marked "brand necessary" on the prescription, it should be covered.  If not, there are usually SEVERAL different generic brands of one medication.  If one doesn't work, you can always try another.

EVERYONE if different.  While one brand may not have worked for you, it may work just fine for other people, and vice versa. So, there is just no way we can make such general statements about generics being "no good" or "not as effective", etc.  It will vary with the medication and with each individual person.

If you find a certain brand of a medication works much better for you, then you need to tell your doctor and pharmacist, and make sure that's what you are getting.  That being said, that doesn't mean that other generic meds wouldn't be effective for you.  It's something that has to be assessed with each individual situation.