Teva brand clonazepam no longer an option. Help!

[Schlep]

Was forced to switch from Teva brand clonazepam (.25 mg/day) to Actavis and I'm really going through hell. I'm very sensitive to meds and held off from taking the Actavis through use of some stockpiled Teva brand from two years ago. Two weeks ago I began suffering a gradually worsening anxiety episode after six years of not having any issues. A week in I began suspecting the expired clonazepam so I started the Actavis and the transition is not going smoothly. I just feel uncomfortably different on the stuff.

My current theory is that the anxiety probably developed as a result of the possible degraded potency of the expired Teva clonazepam. I'm also thinking that possibly the pills themselves could have triggered the anxiety (since when the anxiety hit I started taking more of the expired pills and just seemed to get worse.) Maybe one of the inactive ingredients went bad over time.  During my trials with Actavis clonazepam I experimented with a Teva pill from a slightly newer but still expired batch and experienced some kind of euphoria that eventually just developed into anxiety. As far as my reaction to the Actavis brand, I'm wondering if maybe I'm just feeling increased side effects from not having taken potent pills for so long. But there's still something different in the effect.

So now I'm looking for any kind of suggestions because things have gotten a little intolerable. I already spoke to an old pdoc, but there wasn't much he could do for me (my present doctor doesn't really take my anxiety issues seriously. Has anyone else had similar issues from expired medication or brand changes (especiialy benzos)? One alternative I'm looking at are the clonazepam wafers that Teva still apparently makes. Does the actual formula for the medication itself (and not just the inactive ingredients) vary from brand to brand? I'm also wondering if maybe I should switch to a different benzo. So is there anyone out there who's gone through a similar experience? 

[Iceberg]

To me This is a definite "call your doc now" situation. If only so you don't cause problems that take a long time to fix

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

Was forced to switch from Teva brand clonazepam (.25 mg/day) to Actavis and I'm really going through hell. 

Why were you forced to switch manufacturers?........Teva brand clonazepam tablets are still available....I recently got some from my pharmacy.....If your pharmacy doesn't carry the Teva tablets any longer, you could request them to order for you, or else find a pharmacy that does carry them.

As far as your current situation, I agree with Iceberg--Call your pdoc ASAP.

Edited October 16, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Teva recently purchased Activis and are now using Activis "recipe" (I guess) for clonazepam. The yellow .5 mg tablets have been discontinued, though some pharmacies may still have a stock of them (my Actavis substitution just occurred only 3 months ago.) You can check if your pill still matches what they're currently producing at https://www.tevagenerics.com/product/clonazepam-tablets-usp-civ. You can view the Actavis pill at https://www.drugs.com/imprints/r-33-10122.html. I'm wondering if I should consider Teva's clonazepam wafer, which they still seem to make. Maybe it's closer to the original tablet than the Actavis one. 

[CrazyRedhead]

18 hours ago, Schlep said:

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Teva recently purchased Activis and are now using Activis "recipe" (I guess) for clonazepam. 

I concede, you are correct on this......I called my pharmacy, and they say that, starting this month, they are now carrying ACCORD generic clonazepam instead of TEVA........So I guess I will have to see how Accord works when I get my new fill in 10 days or so.

I read some reviews of Accord clonazepam and Activis clonazepam, and people have differing opinions--some say the Activis is better, some say the Accord works better---I guess it depends on the person.

So maybe you could try the Accord clonazepam and see if it's any better than the Activis for you?

I hate it when this happens, I have always taken the TEVA brand.....I am trying not to form an opinion on the Accord until I try it, so I guess I'll have to see how it goes.........**SIGH**

Just from a quick google, I found that a lot of people are complaining about TEVA doing this change.

Edited October 17, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Ethansmom]

Yes! I have gone through this. Right now I only take name brand Klonopin. I used to take Mylan and I loved it! unfortunately, they discontinued it.... so I was switched to Accord. Accord is pretty strong in my opinion. I take 1MG pills and have some accord left over. 

[Schlep]

I'm trying a slightly higher dose and I think I'm beginning to feel a bit of the regular cloanzepam effect from the Actavis (and not just a rush of incredible fatigue.) The inactive ingredients are nearly identical between Teva and Actavis, but something is still making them work differently.

There's a lot of mixed opinions on the Accord. Will the the pharmacy let me switch my current pills for an alternative? I'm not sure when I'll be up to seeing the doctor. And I'm really curious how close the Teva wafer (the orally disintegrating tablet) is to the pill. A switch between two generic medications shouldn't be this devastating.   

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

 There's a lot of mixed opinions on the Accord. Will the the pharmacy let me switch my current pills for an alternative? 

Your pharmacy should be able to switch your current pills, but your doc will need to write a new script and specify the Accord brand on the prescription....Even if they don't carry Accord, they should be able to order it for you......According to another member here, that I talked to, who tried Accord clonazepam, they said that the Accord were more potent than Teva brand for them.

Another option, which you mentioned above, would be to ask your doc about increasing your dose slightly, so the Activis would be more effective for you....Have you told your doc about the Activis not working as well as the Teva?

If all else fails, and you find that no generics work out for you, you could get your doc to write a script for name brand Klonopin.

Name brand Klon is pretty expensive, so your insurance company may require a prior authorization to cover it, in which your doc would have to explain to them that no generics work for you, and you have to get the name brand.

Edited October 17, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

3 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Your pharmacy should be able to switch your current pills, but your doc will need to write a new script and specify the Accord brand on the prescription....Even if they don't carry Accord, they should be able to order it for you......According to another member here, that I talked to, who tried Accord clonazepam, they said that the Accord were more potent than Teva brand for them.

Another option, which you mentioned above, would be to ask your doc about increasing your dose slightly, so the Activis would be more effective for you....Have you told your doc about the Activis not working as well as the Teva?

If all else fails, and you find that no generics work out for you, you could get your doc to write a script for name brand Klonopin.

Name brand Klon is pretty expensive, so your insurance company may require a prior authorization to cover it, in which your doc would have to explain to them that no generics work for you, and you have to get the name brand.

Not to alarm you, but a switch to Accord doesn't look too promising from what I've read; you might want to set up a plan B. I'm really surprised that I can't seem to find anyone who tried switching to the wafer. I'm doing a bit better than yesterday, and I'll see what happens with a .5 - .75 daily dose. I'd really like to sleep again...

[CrazyRedhead]

On 10/17/2018 at 6:35 PM, Schlep said:

Not to alarm you, but a switch to Accord doesn't look too promising from what I've read; you might want to set up a plan B. 

Well, I've read mixed reviews on Accord and Actavis, some people seem satisfied with them, some don't......Some like one over the other.....There are very mixed opinions on both.......So I'm going to try out Accord, see what happens.....

If Accord doesn't work out, my pdoc will be hearing from me very quickly, and so will the pharmacy....

If necessary, I know my pdoc will prescribe me the real deal, brand name Klonopin.....If I have to pay for it out of pocket the first time, I will.

Why did Teva do this?......Because they could.....

Edited February 26, 2020 by CrazyRedhead

[looking for answers]

just realized mine are now actavis

[mikl_pls]

I looked in the US FDA National Drug Code Directory for authorized generics of clonazepam, which means it would basically be just like brand name, but unfortunately, out of all the generic manufacturers, there are no authorized generic manufacturers. I was gonna rely on that being my input, but that fell through the bottom. I'm sorry.  I hope your situation gets resolved ASAP.

[CrazyRedhead]

12 hours ago, looking for answers said:

just realized mine are now actavis

Is the Actavis working okay for you?

[Dewey]

15 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Well, I've read mixed reviews on Accord and Actavis, some people seem satisfied with them, some don't......Some like one over the other.....There are very mixed opinions on both.......So I'm going to try out Accord, see what happens.....

If Accord doesn't work out, my pdoc will be hearing from me very quickly, and so will the pharmacy.....I have a small stash of leftover Teva to use in the meantime, if I have to.

If necessary, I know my pdoc will prescribe me the real deal, brand name Klonopin.....If I have to pay for it out of pocket the first time, I will.

Why did Teva do this?......Because they could.....

How did the Accord brand work?  I take the Accord brand and have no problems with it.  I think alof of the problems I am reading here are from the mixture of the inactive ingredients, just a guess.  For example, I have an allergy to Iodine and therefore cannot take Povidone in the inactive ingredient.  However when I had to take a medication and the ingredient Povidone was last on the list of inactive ingredients, I did not have the usual reaction. 

15 hours ago, Schlep said:

Not to alarm you, but a switch to Accord doesn't look too promising from what I've read; you might want to set up a plan B. I'm really surprised that I can't seem to find anyone who tried switching to the wafer. I'm doing a bit better than yesterday, and I'll see what happens with a .5 - .75 daily dose. I'd really like to sleep again...

I'm okay on Accord.  I can't take any TEVA brands due to the inactive ingredient, Povidone which I am allergic to.  In fact, more brands I switch to while on Clonazapam, I have never had any reactions to.  I keep an excel spread sheet and keep up with the inactive ingredients just in case. 

[Dewey]

On 10/16/2018 at 3:00 PM, Schlep said:

Was forced to switch from Teva brand clonazepam (.25 mg/day) to Actavis and I'm really going through hell. I'm very sensitive to meds and held off from taking the Actavis through use of some stockpiled Teva brand from two years ago. Two weeks ago I began suffering a gradually worsening anxiety episode after six years of not having any issues. A week in I began suspecting the expired clonazepam so I started the Actavis and the transition is not going smoothly. I just feel uncomfortably different on the stuff.

My current theory is that the anxiety probably developed as a result of the possible degraded potency of the expired Teva clonazepam. I'm also thinking that possibly the pills themselves could have triggered the anxiety (since when the anxiety hit I started taking more of the expired pills and just seemed to get worse.) Maybe one of the inactive ingredients went bad over time.  During my trials with Actavis clonazepam I experimented with a Teva pill from a slightly newer but still expired batch and experienced some kind of euphoria that eventually just developed into anxiety. As far as my reaction to the Actavis brand, I'm wondering if maybe I'm just feeling increased side effects from not having taken potent pills for so long. But there's still something different in the effect.

So now I'm looking for any kind of suggestions because things have gotten a little intolerable. I already spoke to an old pdoc, but there wasn't much he could do for me (my present doctor doesn't really take my anxiety issues seriously. Has anyone else had similar issues from expired medication or brand changes (especiialy benzos)? One alternative I'm looking at are the clonazepam wafers that Teva still apparently makes. Does the actual formula for the medication itself (and not just the inactive ingredients) vary from brand to brand? I'm also wondering if maybe I should switch to a different benzo. So is there anyone out there who's gone through a similar experience? 

The active formula for Clonazepam is not supposed to change, only the inactive ingredients do change on a regular basis.  I have been okay changing from different manufacturers as long as I am careful with what is in the inactive ingredients.

[CrazyRedhead]

43 minutes ago, Dewey said:

How did the Accord brand work?  I take the Accord brand and have no problems with it.  

I haven't tried the Accord yet, but I'm due to refill my clonazepam next weekend, and my pharmacy tells me that they are now going to carry Accord, so that's what I'll be getting when I refill........

It's good to hear the Accord works for you........ I have taken TEVA clonazepam for the last 5 years, so that's what my system is used to......I'm just nervous that the Accord will not work for me the same as Teva.......I'm trying to keep an open mind, so I'm going to give the Accord a try and see how it goes.

When I fill it next weekend I'm going to report here if it's working for me or not......**Fingers crossed**......**SIGH**

[CrazyRedhead]

@Schlep, I just called Teva generics, and they told me that they had numerous complaints about the Actavis version not working as well as their original TEVA version.

They also said that if they receive enough complaints, they may bring back their old "recipe"....Don't know if I believe them, but it's worth a try for you to call and complain that the Actavis isn't working well for you.....Here is page with the phone number:

https://www.tevagenerics.com/contact-us

[Dewey]

7 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

@Schlep, I just called Teva generics, and they told me that they had numerous complaints about the Actavis version not working as well as their original TEVA version.

They also said that if they receive enough complaints, they may bring back their old "recipe"....Don't know if I believe them, but it's worth a try for you to call and complain that the Actavis isn't working well for you.....Here is page with the phone number:

https://www.tevagenerics.com/contact-us

Here is the webpage for the FDA and generics v brand name:  https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/genericdrugs/ucm167991.htm

This explains it a bit more and has more links to follow:  https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/HowDrugsareDevelopedandApproved/ApprovalApplications/AbbreviatedNewDrugApplicationANDAGenerics/ucm126389.htm

Here is the listing of FDA approved Generics: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CDER/UCM183605.pdf  Now, on this list I am not finding Klonopin or Clonazepam as being approved for Generics and this  list is approved for September 2018.  So, I wrote to the contact on the website and listed all my drugs to ask why they are not on the approved generic list.  Not to scare you, but not sure why Klonopin is not approved for generic use.

[CrazyRedhead]

10 minutes ago, Dewey said:

Here is the listing of FDA approved Generics: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CDER/UCM183605.pdf  Now, on this list I am not finding Klonopin or Clonazepam as being approved for Generics and this  list is approved for September 2018.  So, I wrote to the contact on the website and listed all my drugs to ask why they are not on the approved generic list.  Not to scare you, but not sure why Klonopin is not approved for generic use.

That's interesting.....I'm going to contact them myself about the Klonopin......Thanks for the links....

[Dewey]

1 hour ago, CrazyRedhead said:

That's interesting.....I'm going to contact them myself about the Klonopin......Thanks for the links....

Good luck, keep us posted. When I hear back from the FDA why my meds are not on the acceptable list, will post here.

[Schlep]

1 hour ago, CrazyRedhead said:

@Schlep, I just called Teva generics, and they told me that they had numerous complaints about the Actavis version not working as well as their original TEVA version.

They also said that if they receive enough complaints, they may bring back their old "recipe"....Don't know if I believe them, but it's worth a try for you to call and complain that the Actavis isn't working well for you.....Here is page with the phone number:

https://www.tevagenerics.com/contact-us

I wonder how many complaints are "enough complaints"? Maybe we should start a petition on change.org, or something. Maybe find a rogue Teva employee and convince them to put up a kickstarter to homebrew the old recipe themselves. How about we just flood their Twitter page with complaint bots?

Anyway, I spent 14 hours in bed and actually slept ten of them. I didn't feel the Actavis "kick in" the last two doses, so maybe your body just gets used to it. I think the anxiety is gone and now I'm just suffering from a deep depression. Is anhedonia a normal (and temporary) side effect when starting clonazepam? As I stated in my original post, taking the expired pills may have been the equivalent of stopping cold turkey, so this may veritably be like my first week on the drug.

 

[Dewey]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

I wonder how many complaints are "enough complaints"? Maybe we should start a petition on change.org, or something. Maybe find a rogue Teva employee and convince them to put up a kickstarter to homebrew the old recipe themselves. How about we just flood their Twitter page with complaint bots?

Anyway, I spent 14 hours in bed and actually slept ten of them. I didn't feel the Actavis "kick in" the last two doses, so maybe your body just gets used to it. I think the anxiety is gone and now I'm just suffering from a deep depression. Is anhedonia a normal (and temporary) side effect when starting clonazepam? As I stated in my original post, taking the expired pills may have been the equivalent of stopping cold turkey, so this may veritably be like my first week on the drug.

 

What is your dosage?

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

 I think the anxiety is gone and now I'm just suffering from a deep depression. Is anhedonia a normal (and temporary) side effect when starting clonazepam? 

I personally didn't experience any depression when I started on clonazepam , but everyone's different......Like @Dewey mentioned above, maybe it depends on your dosage.

I wouldn't recommend taking any more expired pills, though.......Can you call your current pdoc and let him know the Actavis isn't working out?.........Maybe he could call in the wafers--they might be your best shot at this point.......I think I'm going to look into the wafers myself if the Accord isn't effective for me.

I'm about to do my change to Accord next weekend, so I will post about that....Not looking forward to changing, but what else can we do when they are literally not making it anymore.....

[Schlep]

Yesterday was 1/2 a .50 pill in the morning and 3/4 in the evening. Today I took 1/2 more closer to the afternoon and may try just 1/2 of a pill this evening. I'm debating about maybe taking 1/4 spread out twice during the day and then 1/2 in the evening. My last normal Teva dosage was just 1/4 of a pill twice a day.

My old pdoc was sort of moved to an inaccessible location from me so I because I was stable I was getting my meds from my physician (who once openly mocked my anxiety.) I spoke to my old pdoc on the phone and he mentioned he had a one patient also having issues with the Teva switch. He invited me to see him one of the days he works at the psych emergency room, but I sort of have issues with travelling when I'm in this condition. 

I thought Benzos couldn't be called into a pharmacy, in my state at least (NY). Did that recently change? I'm pretty sure he gave me a paper rx for the Actavis benzos back in June.

[Dewey]

57 minutes ago, Schlep said:

Yesterday was 1/2 a .50 pill in the morning and 3/4 in the evening. Today I took 1/2 more closer to the afternoon and may try just 1/2 of a pill this evening. I'm debating about maybe taking 1/4 spread out twice during the day and then 1/2 in the evening. My last normal Teva dosage was just 1/4 of a pill twice a day.

My old pdoc was sort of moved to an inaccessible location from me so I because I was stable I was getting my meds from my physician (who once openly mocked my anxiety.) I spoke to my old pdoc on the phone and he mentioned he had a one patient also having issues with the Teva switch. He invited me to see him one of the days he works at the psych emergency room, but I sort of have issues with travelling when I'm in this condition. 

I thought Benzos couldn't be called into a pharmacy, in my state at least (NY). Did that recently change? I'm pretty sure he gave me a paper rx for the Actavis benzos back in June.

As long as there is a cover sheet accompanying the fax or electronic exchange verifying the ordering physician, in my state, we do not need a paper rx.  What dosage you are taking is a good level.  When I increase my .5 mg to 1 mg I feel depressed the next day and I have been taking Clonazapam 30 years.  According to my psych doc, higher levels of Clonazepam can cause depression or worsen it.  So, I try to stay at .5 mg a day, only at night.

Due to my HMO putting limitations on a 30 day supply once a month, he increased my dosage so that I can stockpile the Clonazapem.  We are doing this in defense to my HMO taking 2 weeks to fill my prescription each month which causes me to go into withdrawals.  So, instead of ordering 30 tablets of .5 mg once a month to take once a day, he fills 60 tablets to take .5 mg twice a day, so I can stock pile the remaining 30 tablets should I need them and in the event my HMO slows way down my delivery.  The minute my psych doc increased my dosage to 60 tablets, my HMO was all over him for prescribing that much to me.  I am getting ready to get away from this HMO as they have given my psych doc a very difficult time lately with any of his psych meds.  I have written continuously to member services about this, but it falls on deaf ears, so my psych doc just keeps prescribing the 60 tablets and deals with their phone calls.

[Schlep]

1 hour ago, Dewey said:

As long as there is a cover sheet accompanying the fax or electronic exchange verifying the ordering physician, in my state, we do not need a paper rx.  What dosage you are taking is a good level.  When I increase my .5 mg to 1 mg I feel depressed the next day and I have been taking Clonazapam 30 years.  According to my psych doc, higher levels of Clonazepam can cause depression or worsen it.  So, I try to stay at .5 mg a day, only at night.

Due to my HMO putting limitations on a 30 day supply once a month, he increased my dosage so that I can stockpile the Clonazapem.  We are doing this in defense to my HMO taking 2 weeks to fill my prescription each month which causes me to go into withdrawals.  So, instead of ordering 30 tablets of .5 mg once a month to take once a day, he fills 60 tablets to take .5 mg twice a day, so I can stock pile the remaining 30 tablets should I need them and in the event my HMO slows way down my delivery.  The minute my psych doc increased my dosage to 60 tablets, my HMO was all over him for prescribing that much to me.  I am getting ready to get away from this HMO as they have given my psych doc a very difficult time lately with any of his psych meds.  I have written continuously to member services about this, but it falls on deaf ears, so my psych doc just keeps prescribing the 60 tablets and deals with their phone calls.

Yes, my old pdoc always gave me 90 pills/month (enough for the maximum dosage.) My current round of clonazepam treatment began in 2012 w/ .5 mg 3X a day and I think was down to 2/6 of a pill when I last saw him. The 90 pills was a contingency because a situation could always arise when you need to take more. When it became more convenient to go to my medical doctor for meds I more or less said I was on one pill a day. I guess I just wanted to demonstrate my progress from the last time I saw him (and I had a stockpile of pills from my pdoc.) This year he seems to be freaking out about controlled meds saying the prescriptions "need to be very exact". I think I'm just going to say I need three pills a day when I next see him.

Twice in my like I've been on a clonazepam regimen (with the gap being about eight months) and always felt better with each tapered dosage. But it's just very hard (this time especially) to know where the underlying illness ends and the benzo side effects begin.   

Edit: Is there any place you can check prescription laws by state? I'm having trouble finding anything

Edited October 19, 2018 by Schlep

[CrazyRedhead]

16 hours ago, Schlep said:

  I thought Benzos couldn't be called into a pharmacy, in my state at least (NY). Did that recently change? I'm pretty sure he gave me a paper rx for the Actavis benzos back in June.

According to what I found here, doctors are allowed to electronically transmit a prescription to a pharmacy, for a controlled substance, in the state of New York:

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pharm/pharmelectrans.htm

Scroll down to question 17 on the page:...."May a controlled substance prescription be electronically transmitted?" 

Edited October 19, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

5 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

According to what I found here, doctors are allowed to electronically transmit a prescription to a pharmacy, for a controlled substance, in the state of New York:

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pharm/pharmelectrans.htm

Scroll down to question 17 on the page:...."May a controlled substance prescription be electronically transmitted?" 

Strange, since my doctors have always insisted on paper prescriptions for clonazepam. Maybe NYC has it's own restrictions (which wouldn't make any sense), or it's a pharmacy policy (CVS). 

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

Strange, since my doctors have always insisted on paper prescriptions for clonazepam. 

That's very interesting......Especially since I looked around and found this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/nyregion/new-york-to-discard-prescription-pads-and-doctors-handwriting-in-digital-shift.html

Apparently, beginning March 27, 2016......."New York was the first state to require that all prescriptions be created electronically, and to back up that mandate with penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for physicians who fail to comply......""  (Quote from article)

 There are a few exceptions to this law...Doctors can still write a prescription by hand if the medication is going to be filled out of state, when there are technical problems, and when the prescription is written for something other than a medication, such as a brace or a wheelchair.

So, since March 2016, doctors have been required to send electronic prescriptions for all medications....That's the law in the state of New York, so I'm wondering how your doctors are getting around this law with paper scripts for the clonazepam.

Edited October 19, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[notloki]

We do escripts here but are still paper for schedule II. By pdoc doses not trust the technology so all scripts from hm are paper.

[gb84]

My last pdoc did all prescriptions on the computer sent directly to the pharmacy.  That included 3 months of Dexedrine and Klonopin.  They weren't refills, just in the system, on hold.  I didn't even have to call the pharmacy, they just filled them on the date she put them in for each month.  She had a little gadget that put out a code for her to put on the prescriptions so they knew it was from her and legit. 

My new pdoc wrote out all my scripts the first time I saw her.  I don't know if she uses the computer for scripts.

First Dr. I've ever seen that wrote the scripts in neat handwriting.  Must be because she is left handed and therefore of a significantly higher level of intellect. 

[Schlep]

2 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

That's very interesting......Especially since I looked around and found this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/nyregion/new-york-to-discard-prescription-pads-and-doctors-handwriting-in-digital-shift.html

Apparently, beginning March 27, 2016......."New York was the first state to require that all prescriptions be created electronically, and to back up that mandate with penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for physicians who fail to comply......""  (Quote from article)

 There are a few exceptions to this law...Doctors can still write a prescription by hand if the medication is going to be filled out of state, when there are technical problems, and when the prescription is written for something other than a medication, such as a brace or a wheelchair.

So, since March 2016, doctors have been required to send electronic prescriptions for all medications....That's the law in the state of New York, so I'm wondering how your doctors are getting around this law with paper scripts for the clonazepam.

It's probably a tactic to force more face-t-face visits so he can increases his compensation. I'm pretty sure I remember getting a paper script back in July and giving it to someone at drop-off in the pharmacy (though I don't recall seeing a line there in a while.) He was certainly prescribing by paper all throughout 2017.

Anyway, I felt a nice boost from the Actavis last night, almost like a mania. Had to wait a while before going to sleep. (Good thing I only took 1/2 a pill.) Felt nothing with this morning's pill, but still feel a little better than yesterday. If you were having any sleep/dream issues with the Teva, the Actavis brand at least isn't going to improve them. 

[Iceberg]

2 hours ago, Schlep said:

It's probably a tactic to force more face-t-face visits so he can increases his compensation. I'm pretty sure I remember getting a paper script back in July and giving it to someone at drop-off in the pharmacy (though I don't recall seeing a line there in a while.) He was certainly prescribing by paper all throughout 2017.

Anyway, I felt a nice boost from the Actavis last night, almost like a mania. Had to wait a while before going to sleep. (Good thing I only took 1/2 a pill.) Felt nothing with this morning's pill, but still feel a little better than yesterday. If you were having any sleep/dream issues with the Teva, the Actavis brand at least isn't going to improve them. 

Have a close friend in NY who always got paper for benzos (well I think it was printed but a paper copy). I think some controlled substances require paper copy or maybe both 

[CrazyRedhead]

14 hours ago, Schlep said:

 Anyway, I felt a nice boost from the Actavis last night, almost like a mania. Had to wait a while before going to sleep. (Good thing I only took 1/2 a pill.) Felt nothing with this morning's pill, but still feel a little better than yesterday. If you were having any sleep/dream issues with the Teva, the Actavis brand at least isn't going to improve them. 

Nope, no sleep issues with the Teva.....In fact the main reason I take the clonazepam is to go to sleep--I take my entire dose at bedtime, along with my Trazodone..........That's why I'm nervous about the changeover to Accord.........If I don't get enough sleep, it makes all my other conditions much worse.

I did hear from 2 other people here who have taken the Accord, (one of them still takes it), and they said it worked fine for them, so I'm hopeful..

Edited October 20, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

3 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Nope, no sleep issues with the Teva.....In fact the main reason I take the clonazepam is to go to sleep--I take my entire dose at bedtime, along with my Trazodone..........That's why I'm nervous about the changeover to Accord.........If I don't get enough sleep, it makes all my other conditions much worse.

I did hear from 2 other people here who have taken the Accord, (one of them still takes it), and they said it worked fine for them, so I'm hopeful..

Did you always take it all at once at night? I'm trying to determine whether I should try increasing the dosage by spreading it out during the day or by keeping it more consolidated. 

Edited October 20, 2018 by Schlep

[CrazyRedhead]

25 minutes ago, Schlep said:

Did you always take it all at once at night? I'm trying to determine whether I should try spreading the dosage out during the day or keep it more consolidated. 

Yes, I have always taken my entire 2mg dose at bedtime, because of my insomnia.......If I don't get enough sleep, everything goes to h*ll in a handbasket for me....

My former pdoc who started me on it said to take it like that so I could sleep better......Are you taking for sleep or for daytime anxiety coverage?.............I was told by my pdoc that there's no need to take clonazepam more than once a day, because it has such a long half-life.............

Of course, your pdoc may have a different opinion--how many times per day did doc tell you to take it?

Edited October 20, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

8 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Yes, I have always taken my entire 2mg dose at bedtime, because of my insomnia.......If I don't get enough sleep, everything goes to h*ll in a handbasket for me....

My former pdoc who started me on it said to take it like that so I could sleep better......Are you taking for sleep or for daytime anxiety coverage?.............I was told by my pdoc that there's no need to take clonazepam more than once a day, because it has such a long half-life.............

Of course, your pdoc may have a different opinion--how many times per day did doc tell you to take it?

Anxiety coverage and sleep are more or less the same for me. A "pdoc" (who wasn't really my pdoc, just someone I saw a few times in the process of getting on SSI) destroyed my life be recommending I replace nortriptyline with Lithium (which landed me in the emergency room.) After the resulting anxiety he prescribed clonazepam .5 3x/day for no set length of time. I was able to get off it in two years. Anxiety recurred less than a year later (which I believe were, unbeknownst to me at the time, due to mold), which forced me to gradually go back on the original dosage of clonazepam (and a few other things.) By last year I got it down to 1/4 of a pill at night, then some antibiotics destabilized everything and forced me to go to 1/4 of a pill twice a day. Now everything's back and I have about 20+ .5 pills of Actavis clonazepam to do anything I want with, I guess. My last real pdoc's approach was to pretty much try anything until you find something that works.

[CrazyRedhead]

1 minute ago, Schlep said:

 Now everything's back and I have about 20+ .5 pills of Actavis clonazepam to do anything I want with, I guess. My last real pdoc's approach was to pretty much try anything until you find something that works.

What is your current dosage per day?....Do you divide the dose?

[Schlep]

44 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

What is your current dosage per day?....Do you divide the dose?

I've been sticking to 1/2 .5mg pill in the afternoon and between 1/2 to 3/4 of a pill at night, depending on how long I'm initially laying awake in bed. Sleeping has never been that great for me; I always woke up every two hours and then just go back to sleep. The nights on Actavis that I actually have slept seem like I'm waking up every 40 minutes, and the sleeping itself is just different (clonazepam does something to my dreams that is very hard to explain; Actavis is doing the same thing, but there's a different quality to it. I should also mention that my sleep while on clonazepam consists entirely of the REM stage.)

When absent of any active anxiety, I've always felt better the less clonazepam I'm on, which is why I'm reluctant to raise the dosage ( not to mention that it's a different brand with different effects.) I seem to be over a few of the side effects from the Actavis, and I'm wondering if that tolerance would transfer to a larger dose. And are these smaller doses just chipping away at the anxiety when a larger dose could eliminate it? 

[CrazyRedhead]

11 minutes ago, Schlep said:

  And are these smaller doses just chipping away at the anxiety when a larger dose could eliminate it? 

I am not a pdoc. but you are on a pretty low dose of clonazepam (less than 1mg/day)......

If this small dose is truly not effective for you, I would suggest talking to your doc and letting him know that.

In other words, don't just tell him you need a higher dose right off the bat--Just tell him that your current dose isn't effective, and see what he has to say first.

[Schlep]

39 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

I am not a pdoc. but you are on a pretty low dose of clonazepam (less than 1mg/day)......

If this small dose is truly not effective for you, I would suggest talking to your doc and letting him know that.

In other words, don't just tell him you need a higher dose right off the bat--Just tell him that your current dose isn't effective, and see what he has to say first.

I have no doubt that he'll raise my dose to what I need. It's getting to him that's the issue since there's a degree of agoraphobia and decreased motivation that comes with these things. he clonazepam itself seems to affect the way I approach things as well. I just have to try to get to a functional state. 

[CrazyRedhead]

33 minutes ago, Schlep said:

I have no doubt that he'll raise my dose to what I need. It's getting to him that's the issue since there's a degree of agoraphobia and decreased motivation that comes with these things. he clonazepam itself seems to affect the way I approach things as well. I just have to try to get to a functional state. 

Again, I'm not a doc, but IMO, a good first step might be increasing to at least 1mg/day of clonazepam  (.5 in morning, and .5 at night, maybe?)........I'm happy to hear he'll work with you, and increase it to what you need to be functional.

[gb84]

As someone who has been on klonopin for a long time, .5mg 2x a day seems to be the optimal dose.  When I was on 1mg 2x a day I was really flat and it probably contributed to my depression being worse.  If vraylar works to help control my anxiety as well as gabapentin I think I'm going to ask my pdoc to try and get off of the klonopin.  Hopefully I can do without it.  I really don't like being on a med that is physically and psychologically addictive.  I don't exhibit any drug seeking behavior, but 10 years+ on the drug is probably long enough. 

[Schlep]

Going to try 3 doses today for the first time (took 1/4 of .5 pill, 1/2 a pill in a little while, and 1/2 at bedtime.) Reluctant to try a whole .5 pill because I can't imagine how bad the Actavis exclusive side effects would be like (though I seem to be over them for these smaller doses.) I had a random boost from 1/2 a pill a few nights ago and, while pleasant, could have been too much if multiplied. I've never done well with the Teva side effects either, but at least I still felt like myself on them. 

Two big hits a day rather than 3 smaller hits probably should be more effective, considered I always started on clonazepam with at least a whole pill. I guess it all depends on exactly how the drug works. It should also be noted that all non-Teva clonazapem lacks an ingredient called povidone, which apparently affects the delivery of the drug by extending the time over which the clonazepam is dispersed. 

Anyway, so I guess my present debate is between .25 mg three times a day or .5 mg twice a day. I'm just sad that I couldn't just resume my normal dosage from the Teva.

Also, anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of sublingual application. I "sublingualed" an Actavis for the first time today and sort of felt something. In the past I usually just got by by swallowing.  

Edited October 20, 2018 by Schlep

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

   Also, anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of sublingual application. I "sublingualed" an Actavis for the first time today and sort of felt something. In the past I usually just got by by swallowing.  

Taking a dose sublingually (dissolving it under tongue), gets the dose directly into your bloodstream faster, via the mucous membranes under the tongue.

If you swallow a dose, it takes longer to get into the bloodstream, because it has to pass through the digestive tract, and be metabolized by the liver.......When a drug is metabolized through the liver, there is a small reduction in the amount of the drug that actually gets to the bloodstream.

So,as to disadvantages and advantages of both methods:

Sublingual.......Slightly more of the drug gets into your system faster, but then (theoretically), the effects don't last as long.

Swallowing.....Slightly less of the drug gets into your system more slowly, but (again theoretically), the effects of the drug last longer.

There are some extended release versions of certain drugs that have a special coating, which allows a slow release of the drug  as it passes through your system, and these types can't be taken sublingually......But that doesn't really apply to clonazepam, anyway.....I think Xanax has an extended release version (Xanax XR)

[Schlep]

1 hour ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Taking a dose sublingually (dissolving it under tongue), gets the dose directly into your bloodstream faster, via the mucous membranes under the tongue.

If you swallow a dose, it takes longer to get into the bloodstream, because it has to pass through the digestive tract, and be metabolized by the liver.......When a drug is metabolized through the liver, there is a small reduction in the amount of the drug that actually gets to the bloodstream.

So,as to disadvantages and advantages of both methods:

Sublingual.......Slightly more of the drug gets into your system faster, but then (theoretically), the effects don't last as long.

Swallowing.....Slightly less of the drug gets into your system more slowly, but (again theoretically), the effects of the drug last longer.

There are some extended release versions of certain drugs that have a special coating, which allows a slow release of the drug  as it passes through your system, and these types can't be taken sublingually......But that doesn't really apply to clonazepam, anyway.....I think Xanax has an extended release version (Xanax XR)

Yes, that was my understanding of it. I had a bad reaction to doxycycline last year that resulted in some kind of diluted yet extended panic attack that felt more like a serious physical illness. With nothing else to really do I took half a clonazepam pill sublingually and was amazingly back to normal in about an hour (though I guess it's debatable whether taking them that way made a difference). I was holding steady at 1/4 of a pill twice a day until now. It could be the case that with just a single heavy offense I could get back to normal, but this brand is somewhat unpredictable. Actavis has really pushed me towards the depressive end of the spectrum since I started it, and I desperately don't want to reach a point of no return in terms of dosage amount if I would be better off taking less of it. 

And I wonder what happens to the inactive ingredients when you take a med sublingually. Do they break down and become "more inactive"? Maybe just get absorbed into the saliva?

Edited October 21, 2018 by Schlep

[CrazyRedhead]

11 hours ago, Schlep said:

 Actavis has really pushed me towards the depressive end of the spectrum since I started it, and I desperately don't want to reach a point of no return in terms of dosage amount if I would be better off taking less of it. 

And I wonder what happens to the inactive ingredients when you take a med sublingually. Do they break down and become "more inactive"? Maybe just get absorbed into the saliva?

Have you told your doc how the Actavis is effecting you?.....If it's making you more depressed, maybe you should talk to doc about trying another brand of generic clonazepam......

I really don't know how the inactive ingredients of a drug would be affected by taking sublingually.....I would think they just get absorbed along with the active ingredient, but again, I'm not really sure.

Edited October 21, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

3 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Have you told your doc how the Actavis is effecting you?.....If it's making you more depressed, maybe you should talk to doc about trying another brand of generic clonazepam......

I really don't know how the inactive ingredients of a drug would be affected by taking sublingually.....I would think they just get absorbed along with the active ingredient, but again, I'm not really sure.

Right now I don't feel the Actavis doing much of anything (though much of the anxiety seems suppressed. From what I've heard, the only other remaining brands of regular clonazepam are Accord and the non-generic, with no real guarantees they'll be the answer. I don't see my doc being receptive to any of these concerns, and he's just not enjoyable to talk to. Not to mention that he just rushes through each visit as quickly as possible. Is it normal for a doctor to do that?

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

 Not to mention that he just rushes through each visit as quickly as possible. Is it normal for a doctor to do that?

Some docs are like that these days......I've had docs that do this.......Sad, but true.

[Schlep]

2 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Some docs are like that these days......I've had docs that do this.......Sad, but true.

Did I mention that my doctor once threatened to have me committed because I was looking things up on the internet?

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Schlep said:

my doctor once threatened to have me committed because I was looking things up on the internet?

What...????....That makes absolutely no sense at all.....

[Schlep]

2 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

What...????....That makes absolutely no sense at all.....

Like I said, he doesn't take anxiety seriously.

[Schlep]

Well I have something that could be thought of as good news: I called the pharmacy to see if by chance they had anything left by Teva in stock, of course they didn't. (something about it being "backordered"). But they did say they were getting a lot of complaints over the Actavis clonazepam, so at least I know I'm not just the only one.

[l'appel du vide]

The accord and the actavis brand have both been fine with me, I really haven't noticed a difference at all. It honestly might be placebo... Since people who are on Klonopin are naturally very anxious and overthink things. I was hesitant but I had no choice, and both worked out fine.
 

Schlep, it sounds like you need to find a new doctor asap. That isn't normal how your psych treats you. You pay HIM for his services, he is there to HELP you. I have never heard of a psych that thought anxiety wasn't "real"?? That sounds very alarming.... Find a new doctor asap.

 

[Schlep]

6 hours ago, icygrave said:

The accord and the actavis brand have both been fine with me, I really haven't noticed a difference at all. It honestly might be placebo... Since people who are on Klonopin are naturally very anxious and overthink things. I was hesitant but I had no choice, and both worked out fine.
 

Schlep, it sounds like you need to find a new doctor asap. That isn't normal how your psych treats you. You pay HIM for his services, he is there to HELP you. I have never heard of a psych that thought anxiety wasn't "real"?? That sounds very alarming.... Find a new doctor asap.

 

In his defense, he's only my medical doctor. 

[l'appel du vide]

7 hours ago, Schlep said:

In his defense, he's only my medical doctor. 

oh okay, that makes a lot more sense...unfortunately. sad that there's any ignorance about obviously very real things.

[CrazyRedhead]

13 hours ago, Schlep said:

In his defense, he's only my medical doctor. 

Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist?.....

Your situation might be too complicated for your regular doc to work out on his own.

[Schlep]

My old pdoc's clinic moved to a somewhat distant location two years ago, I was stable so it made sense to just go to my MD for meds.

I think I may have slightly adjusted to the Actavis clonazepam, as my anxiety has been greatly reduced over the last few days. I still don't feel where I was on Teva, and the fatigue from Actavis (-/+ .75 mg over the day) is somewhat extreme compared to the same dose on Teva. It was practically crippling upon waking up today.

I finally saw my MD today and he was surprisingly more receptive than I thought he'd be. If there's a single word that describes him, it's "brusque". I somehow made it out with an RX for 30 0.125 mg Teva oral disintegrating tablets that are supposed to last for two weeks. (forgot about my nortriptyline rx during the session, so I notified the receptionist, then I notified him, then I called him from the pharmacy... never received it; oh well...) How 30 0.125 mg pills ("as needed") are going to last two weeks when I'm currently taking approx .62 mg presently I can't really figure out. I'm thinking of maybe tapering down the Actavis pills for a few days (and I am a little apprehensive of what the Teva pills might do.)

Anyway, this is the back of the blister pack. I have no idea why there's a German cross there, but I guess it could have been worse...

[CrazyRedhead]

@Schlep, just to let you know, took my first Accord clonazepam last night, and it worked just as well as the Teva for me.....So, Accord clonazepam might be worth a shot for you, if the wafers don't pan out.

[dancesintherain]

Maybe the German cross is showing you which corner to use to open up the packet?  

Not likely, but that’s all I could come up with.

[Schlep]

6 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

@Schlep, just to let you know, took my first Accord clonazepam last night, and it worked just as well as the Teva for me.....So, Accord clonazepam might be worth a shot for you, if the wafers don't pan out.

My pharmacy said they didn't have any brands of than Actavis for pills. The real test is while you're suffering an extended anxiety episode. Actavis failed, while Teva always succeeded in alleviating the symptoms. I'm curious what would have happened if I just went straight to the Activis pills instead of letting things get out of control.

[CrazyRedhead]

16 hours ago, Schlep said:

My pharmacy said they didn't have any brands of than Actavis for pills. 

The pharmacy could order the Accord for you, if you decide you want to try it.....

Edited October 27, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[notloki]

The doctor can specify the manufacturer on the script. If the script also says "dispense as written" it must be filled with the manufacture listed. I have done a few of these, it helps to list more than one manufacturer that is acceptable, if possible. The market changes all the time and specific manufacturers may not be in stock. 

[Schlep]

Well a week ago I decided to taper the actavis dosage down by .12 mg and stay on it a few days (my doctor didn't give me enough of the Teva wafers to last to my next appointment.) The first day the fatigue was gone, and I was back to normal a few days later (better than normal, since I didn't feel as tired on them as I did on Teva). Since things seemed to be going so well I decided I'd just stay on Actavis because I seemed to have adjusted to them. Then I had a panic attack today a few blocks from home. I haven't had a panic attack since 2012. And this was only about 20 minutes after taking my morning dosage of Actavis. So today I ended up taking my first .12 Teva wafer (which was somewhat difficult to open properly during a panic attack and ended up mostly crumbling), and felt the Teva work in about 15 minutes. This is definitely going to set me back... 

Every panic attack I've had in the past I thought I could trace to external factors (a few were triggered by Lithium; the rest were the results of long-term mold exposure.) The only thing I can trace this one is to the Actavis brand clonazepam, from which I've already experienced some unique side effects. Prior to this I was very comfortable with the thought of continuing with Actavis. I'm not sure if I should consider this as some sort of fluke (maybe I took the morning dose too late today?), or is this evidence that Teva will just work better for me? 

[CrazyRedhead]

@Schlep, keep in mind that oral clonazepam tablets take about 45 minutes to an hour to  "kick in"....That's been my experience at least......So perhaps the Actavis clonazepam hadn't kicked in yet if you only took it 20 minutes before your panic attack........Taking the morning dose earlier would be worth a shot, IMO.

Another solution would possibly be taking the Actavis tabs for all day coverage, and taking the TEVA wafers for breakthrough panic attacks, since the wafers seem to act more rapidly......Something to talk to your doc about......

[Dewey]

On 10/18/2018 at 11:15 AM, CrazyRedhead said:

I haven't tried the Accord yet, but I'm due to refill my clonazepam next weekend, and my pharmacy tells me that they are now going to carry Accord, so that's what I'll be getting when I refill........

It's good to hear the Accord works for you........ I have taken TEVA clonazepam for the last 5 years, so that's what my system is used to......I'm just nervous that the Accord will not work for me the same as Teva.......I'm trying to keep an open mind, so I'm going to give the Accord a try and see how it goes.

When I fill it next weekend I'm going to report here if it's working for me or not......**Fingers crossed**......**SIGH**

Just learned yesterday that Accord is not making Clonazapam, or my HMO is unable to fulfill the order due to Accord issues.  I find this happens around this time of year. 

I have just 10 pills left.  May have to go outside my HMO to regular pharmacies to see if they carry Clonazepam.

[Dewey]

On 10/27/2018 at 4:01 PM, notloki said:

The doctor can specify the manufacturer on the script. If the script also says "dispense as written" it must be filled with the manufacture listed. I have done a few of these, it helps to list more than one manufacturer that is acceptable, if possible. The market changes all the time and specific manufacturers may not be in stock. 

I do the dance with the various manufacturers of Clonazepam.  Each month, I am forced to switch to another pharmaceutical company thru my HMO.  I wish I could get off of Clonazapem, but have been on it 30 years and the withdrawals are wicked.  Right now I am being told that Accord is out of Clonazepam. 

[CrazyRedhead]

2 hours ago, Dewey said:

I have just 10 pills left.  May have to go outside my HMO to regular pharmacies to see if they carry Clonazepam.

@Dewey, Accord is not out of clonazepam..........I use a local CVS pharmacy, and they now carry Accord as their preferred generic...I got mine filled there just last week with Accord.......I also know that Walmart pharmacy carries the Accord clonazepam, so I would recommend calling up your local CVS  or Walmart  to start with.......Hope you can find some that way, at least.......

Edited November 2, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

6 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

@Schlep, keep in mind that oral clonazepam tablets take about 45 minutes to an hour to  "kick in"....That's been my experience at least......So perhaps the Actavis clonazepam hadn't kicked in yet if you only took it 20 minutes before your panic attack........Taking the morning dose earlier would be worth a shot, IMO.

Another solution would possibly be taking the Actavis tabs for all day coverage, and taking the TEVA wafers for breakthrough panic attacks, since the wafers seem to act more rapidly......Something to talk to your doc about......

Yeah... about the wafers. I took one last night before bedtime, and in a very short time I began to experience what could be described as "an uncomfortable stimulant rush". It didn't really develop into anxiety, but it prevented me from sleeping (and provided about an hour of weird sited-effects). I took .25 of the Actavis a few hours later and that seemed to help slightly. Definitely a paradoxical reaction to the wafer. Maybe due to new inactive ingredients, or my body is more used to the Actavis now. The Actavis hit me a bit harder when I took it this morning. 

It's possible that the panic attack may have been due to mold slowly building up in the yard outside my window (which was open the whole summer.) Now I'm a bit apprehensive about the use of the wafer if they persist. Maybe I should try Ativan.

Is a doctor allowed to write RX's for two different benzos on the same order/pick-up? And is taking two different benzos at the same time safe? I'm not even entirely sure if taking two different brands of the same med together is safe. 

Also, I'm wondering if it would be better to alter my current clonazepam regimen from .12 mg twice a day and .25 mg at bedtime to just two doses of .25 a day. Is a higher dose taken at once more powerful, or does it just last longer?

Edited November 2, 2018 by Schlep

[Iceberg]

13 minutes ago, Schlep said:

Yeah... about the wafers. I took one last night before bedtime, and in a very short time I began to experience what could be described as "an uncomfortable stimulant rush". It didn't really develop into anxiety, but it prevented me from sleeping (and provided about an hour of weird sited-effects). I took .25 of the Actavis a few hours later and that seemed to help slightly. Definitely a paradoxical reaction to the wafer. Maybe due to new inactive ingredients, or my body is more used to the Actavis now. The Actavis hit me a bit harder when I took it this morning. 

It's possible that the panic attack may have been due to mold slowly building up in the yard outside my window (which was open the whole summer.) Now I'm a bit apprehensive about the use of the wafer if they persist. Maybe I should try Ativan.

Is a doctor allowed to write RX's for two different benzos on the same order/pick-up? And is taking two different benzos at the same time safe? I'm not even entirely sure if taking two different brands of the same med together is safe. 

My doc has written my Xanax Xr and different dose Xanax ir on the same slip 

I have also gotten halcion (other benzo) in the same pharmacy trip as Xanax.

taking them together can be safe if done right, but it can build tolerance and lead to bad withdrawal issues 

[Wonderful.Cheese]

I use CVS caremark mail order and was taking Mylan Klonopin but got switched to Teva Klonopin about a month ago. I was worried it wouldn't work as well for me.

I have noticed my anxiety has been more under control. But I chalked that up to starting Clozapine. Now I wonder if it was the Teva Klonopin that has been helping me more. I have 2 months left of it  I believe (I get 90 day supplies). I wonder what brand I'll get next time. I'm not sure exactly the timeframe because I don't manage my own medications. I'm just guestimating. 

[CrazyRedhead]

15 hours ago, Schlep said:

  Is a doctor allowed to write RX's for two different benzos on the same order/pick-up? And is taking two different benzos at the same time safe? I'm not even entirely sure if taking two different brands of the same med together is safe. 

Also, I'm wondering if it would be better to alter my current clonazepam regimen from .12 mg twice a day and .25 mg at bedtime to just two doses of .25 a day. Is a higher dose taken at once more powerful, or does it just last longer?

Yes, doctors are allowed to write for more than one benzo at a time.....I have seen folks here, for example, taking Klonopin for all day coverage, and also taking Xanax as needed for breakthrough panic attacks.

However, that doesn't mean all docs will do this....Every doc has their own opinion about benzos.

I am certainly not a doc, but I think that increasing your dose to a solid .5 clonazepam in the morning, and .5 at night, would be a better alternative than taking 2 types of benzos.....This is just my opinion, and something you would need to talk to doc about.

As @Iceberg said, the concern with taking 2 benzos is that it can cause tolerance  and withdrawal issues.

I don't know if your idea of taking .25mg twice a day, vs taking 12mg twice a day, and .25 once a day, will work or not......You can always give it a try and see.....But ultimately, it's going to be about the same amount of clonazepam per day..

Edited November 3, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[CrazyRedhead]

13 hours ago, Wonderful.Cheese said:

 I have noticed my anxiety has been more under control. But I chalked that up to starting Clozapine. Now I wonder if it was the Teva Klonopin that has been helping me more. I have 2 months left of it  I believe (I get 90 day supplies). I wonder what brand I'll get next time. I'm not sure exactly the timeframe because I don't manage my own medications. I'm just guestimating. 

Teva is no longer making clonazepam tablets, so my guess is that your next 90 day supply will be either Accord or Actavis....Those 2 seem to be the most available manufacturers for clonazepam......I have always used TEVA for the past five years, and just recently had to go on Accord, because the TEVA was no longer available.

The Accord brand seems to be working fine for me, However, I have never tried the the Actavis brand.

Edited November 3, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Schlep]

On 11/3/2018 at 8:25 AM, CrazyRedhead said:

Yes, doctors are allowed to write for more than one benzo at a time.....I have seen folks here, for example, taking Klonopin for all day coverage, and also taking Xanax as needed for breakthrough panic attacks.

However, that doesn't mean all docs will do this....Every doc has their own opinion about benzos.

I am certainly not a doc, but I think that increasing your dose to a solid .5 clonazepam in the morning, and .5 at night, would be a better alternative than taking 2 types of benzos.....This is just my opinion, and something you would need to talk to doc about.

As @Iceberg said, the concern with taking 2 benzos is that it can cause tolerance  and withdrawal issues.

I don't know if your idea of taking .25mg twice a day, vs taking 12mg twice a day, and .25 once a day, will work or not......You can always give it a try and see.....But ultimately, it's going to be about the same amount of clonazepam per day..

Well my doctor just emphatically denied that controlled substances can be called in to a pharmacy. Only have a few pills left, hopefully I'll make it to my appointment tomorrow. I'll probably try .25 mg three times a day.

[jt07]

20 minutes ago, Schlep said:

Well my doctor just emphatically denied that controlled substances can be called in to a pharmacy.

I think that depends on the state.

[looking for answers]

26 minutes ago, jt07 said:

I think that depends on the state.

i think it does because my pdoc calls in my vyvanse and clonazapem(sp)

[Schlep]

On 11/3/2018 at 8:25 AM, CrazyRedhead said:

Yes, doctors are allowed to write for more than one benzo at a time.....I have seen folks here, for example, taking Klonopin for all day coverage, and also taking Xanax as needed for breakthrough panic attacks.

However, that doesn't mean all docs will do this....Every doc has their own opinion about benzos.

I am certainly not a doc, but I think that increasing your dose to a solid .5 clonazepam in the morning, and .5 at night, would be a better alternative than taking 2 types of benzos.....This is just my opinion, and something you would need to talk to doc about.

As @Iceberg said, the concern with taking 2 benzos is that it can cause tolerance  and withdrawal issues.

I don't know if your idea of taking .25mg twice a day, vs taking 12mg twice a day, and .25 once a day, will work or not......You can always give it a try and see.....But ultimately, it's going to be about the same amount of clonazepam per day..

Took .25mg of Actavais clonazepam this morning (instead of dividing it) now it's around 6pm and I've been starting to feel really crappy, like a borderline panic situation (and I'm still feeling the effects of the pill) . I wondering if I should I continue taking it?

[CrazyRedhead]

13 hours ago, Schlep said:

I wondering if I should I continue taking it?

That would be something you need to talk about with your doc, IMO......

[notloki]

On 11/4/2018 at 10:47 AM, jt07 said:

I think that depends on the state.

Pharmacy laws are set by state by the Board of Pharmacy but cannot be less restrictive than the Federal.

[Dewey]

Here is a response from "Authorized Generics", sent away for some research for you, hope this helps :

""Thank you for your email. The September 2018 listing, and quarterly updates to the listing, refer only to Authorized Generic products that are marketed under the authority of an approved New Drug Application (NDA).  Generic products are marketed under an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). The following webpage provides background information on the difference between an authorized generic and generic:

 

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/HowDrugsareDevelopedandApproved/ApprovalApplications/AbbreviatedNewDrugApplicationANDAGenerics/ucm126389.htm

 

Authorized Generics Team ""

[Schlep]

Well, I'm out of the psyche ward.

Edited November 16, 2018 by Schlep

[Schlep]

Okay, it looks like it wasn't the clonazepam at all. My notriptyline blood levels were above the therapeutic range (220), and aside from being too high to treat my anxiety and depression, were somehow altering the effects of the benzos. Unfortunetly, now I seem to be stuck on .25 mg 3 X a day of Ativan and have the reputation of being an inpatient. If my medical doctor had been monitoring the nortriptyline levels, I probably wouldn't have had to go through this.   

[Byrjun]

Schlep, I'm so sorry you had such a horrible time!

I know this is a month or so old but I signed up specifically because of your post. I was given the actavis brand after being on TEVA for years, with no issues nor increase and was almost committed myself. I've since tried Solco, Teva wafers and now name brand.

Teva worked great and gave me my life back, I had a decent job and was working on bettering myself as a person. I'm currently on leave from work, sadly not my first leave for mental health, and am trying hard to put the pieces back together. I almost committed suicide on the Actavis brand. . .

I called TEVA and ripped them a new one, at least four times. Letting them know if they only did a small google search they could see how many lives they've ruined. People have had breakthrough seizures, and plenty of other problems. I also reported it to the FDA.

My agoraphobia came back, I'm going on my 3rd night of the name brand, and have slept so so...its still not TEVA.

I'm scared it'll never get back to normal.

I hope you're doing okay right now and I wanted to let you know youre arent alone in all of this.

I say we make a petition to get TEVA back.

[Byrjun]

I made a petition too

 

https://www.change.org/p/teva-pharmacuticals-ask-teva-to-bring-back-their-old-clonazepam-fb3b945c-fd4b-4403-9055-733c35211726?recruiter=704497208&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=8b9556921c364f20b98944fe5349561b

[CrazyRedhead]

20 hours ago, Byrjun said:

Schlep, I'm so sorry you had such a horrible time!

I know this is a month or so old but I signed up specifically because of your post. I was given the actavis brand after being on TEVA for years, with no issues nor increase and was almost committed myself. I've since tried Solco, Teva wafers and now name brand.

Teva worked great and gave me my life back, I had a decent job and was working on bettering myself as a person. I'm currently on leave from work, sadly not my first leave for mental health, and am trying hard to put the pieces back together. I almost committed suicide on the Actavis brand. . .

I called TEVA and ripped them a new one, at least four times. Letting them know if they only did a small google search they could see how many lives they've ruined. People have had breakthrough seizures, and plenty of other problems. I also reported it to the FDA.

My agoraphobia came back, I'm going on my 3rd night of the name brand, and have slept so so...its still not TEVA.

I'm scared it'll never get back to normal.

I hope you're doing okay right now and I wanted to let you know youre arent alone in all of this.

I say we make a petition to get TEVA back.

I was also on TEVA clonazepam for many years, when my pharmacy told me TEVA was no longer available, and they were now using the ACCORD brand.

I was worried about it, but I tried to keep an open mind......I have personally had no issues with the Accord brand--I haven't noticed any difference.

Have you tried the Accord clonazepam?......Might be worth a shot if you're still having issues.

I realize that some people may be more sensitive to changing manufacturers, but I haven't had any problems since switching to Accord.

Just throwing that out there.

Edited December 14, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Byrjun]

8 hours ago, CrazyRedhead said:

I was also on TEVA clonazepam for many years, when my pharmacy told me TEVA was no longer available, and they were now using the ACCORD brand.

I was worried about it, but I tried to keep an open mind......I have personally had no issues with the Accord brand--I haven't noticed any difference.

Have you tried the Accord clonazepam?......Might be worth a shot if you're still having issues.

I realize that some people may be more sensitive to changing manufacturers, but I haven't had any problems since switching to Accord.

Just throwing that out there.

Its not available in my area. My only choices are Actavis, Solco, Teva wafers and name brand. I've tried all of them. Doc told me to up my dose of the name brand last night until I was sleeping okay, it worked opposite and I only got 2 hours. My heart has been pounding most of the day. This didnt happen on the Teva brand, I dont understand how the name brand can be worse than a generic?!

Even my psych is confused ! I can't have any of the other benzos...I feel like I'm dying or going crazy...

[Klonz]

When I called customer service 888-838-2872 (option #3 then option #5) for customer service a rep at TEVa said on 4/1/19 they are going to bring old formula TEVA clonazepam back but don’t really have a firm timeline. 

 

He said to email complaints about Actavis to Tevacs@tevapharm.com and ask for old TEVA back via this email 

 

When I called customer service 888-838-2872 (option #3 then option #5) for customer service a rep said on 4/1/19 they are going to bring old formula TEVA clonazepam back but don’t really have a firm timeline. 

 

He said to email complaints about Actavis to Tevacs@tevapharm.com and ask for old TEva back via this email 

 

[DammitJanet]

21 hours ago, Klonz said:

When I called customer service 888-838-2872 (option #3 then option #5) for customer service a rep at TEVa said on 4/1/19 they are going to bring old formula TEVA clonazepam back but don’t really have a firm timeline. 

 

He said to email complaints about Actavis to Tevacs@tevapharm.com and ask for old TEVA back via this email 

 

When I called customer service 888-838-2872 (option #3 then option #5) for customer service a rep said on 4/1/19 they are going to bring old formula TEVA clonazepam back but don’t really have a firm timeline. 

 

He said to email complaints about Actavis to Tevacs@tevapharm.com and ask for old TEva back via this email 

 

Thanks for the info!

[DammitJanet]

I have just been put back on klonopin...and it’s most definitely not as strong as the klonopin I had several years ago. It is the accord brand. .5 mg used to knock me out if I took it in the daytime. Now it takes 1.5 to keep me asleep throughout the night. Glad it’s coming back.