Anyone having trouble switching generic Ativan (lorazepam)?
Question posted by JayhawkJourney on 30 May 2013
Last updated on 17 January 2023
Have been taking one half of a 0.5mg lorazepam for years. Lately the Sandoz brand. My pharmacy can no longer get that brand (not sure if Sandoz still makes it). I was given Watson instead. It gave me bad heartburn and when it finally kicked in it felt so strong I was unable to stand up. I asked for a different brand and was given Mylan. It was way too strong. I felt like I had a brick in my chest and developed a sore throat and horrible dry mouth and lips. My lips are cracked from one dose.
I called a different pharmacy and they assured me they had Sandoz. Had to get a new prescription from my doc. When I got the new pills they told me they were Sandoz but they are really Actavis. I assume Sandoz purchased Actavis. I've taken one dose of this with not much relief and it is bothering my stomach.
I know brand names are usually better but I was doing okay before the switch. Do they still make a brand name Ativan or the Sandoz brand? Anyone know?
I am really having a hard time with this as Ativan/lorazepam is the only med I have been able to take for anxiety and panic with low side effects until now. I've tried many things through the years.
I don't understand why the generics are allowed to be so different and have so many inactive ingredients.
Yes I just picked up my prescription for 1 mg three times a day the lorazepam it’s not working at all I’m kind of at a loss I can’t sleep I’m real edgy where can I send or have this medication checked to see actually what’s really in it it has no taste I don’t understand this I wanna get this medication checked out
Votes: +0
AN
Antony55
11 Sep 2021
I’ve had real issues with the generic Leading, to the point I’ve thought about having it tested for content. It’s like getting a placebo. Medications for anxiety and seizure should contain the medication they’re supposed to!
Votes: +1
JA
Jan9902
17 Jan 2023
That’s kind of strange because I’m having the same problem the lorazepam 1 mg three times a day is not doing anything for me I’m not even able to sleep I feel like I’m going through withdrawals absolutely no taste with this medication I feel nothing at all taking this medication
IN
Inactive
8 Feb 2020
Here on the West Coast they still have Sandoz and Actavis. If you wanted the name brand Ativan its very expensive. The Leading brand is not so good. My pain management Dr in fact told me so many generics do not work as they're not putting enough of what works into them, as I agree. Also when they went from yellow Norco's and made them white they no longer worked the way the yellow Norco did, they claim all they did was took the color out, I'm not so sure I believe that :(
Votes: +0
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bobsy
1 June 2021
Activis was bought out by Camber.
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mgiovenco
20 Dec 2019
I am so relieved to read that others are going through what myself and my mother and husband are experiencing. Ive been taking the same dose of lorazepam made by Watson for 16 years; never ever went over my regular dose. In the last 6 months I have had such a difficult time because now Activist bought Watson, and the medicine is not effective. I wake up at night, Im shaky, constantly anxious, and I can't focus at work. My mother wakes up in the middle of the night, and my husband says it has no effect on him. I have called every pharmacy in the area, even out of the area, and Activist is the only one who makes it. I have even bought the brand name for my family and it is $35.00 per pill, and it works fine, but Im not going to pay (or afford) that amount. When I ask the pharmacist if anyone else has complained, they say, "Oh no, absolutely not. " I just know that isn't true.
I called my doctor and asked to switch to Xanax because I cant continue running in circles and feeling so scattered. Ive been on Xanax for 2 days, and its been much better, but its not the same, I just feel 'blah'. Maybe it takes time. I'm disgusted with what the generic drug companies are doing, because there are 2 other drugs (blood pressure and prozac) in which I have to purchase the brand name. ... Thank you so much for this blog!! I was feeling like I was overly sensitive.
Votes: +1
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Lovesick197
11 Oct 2019
Yep..I've been on Activis brand for over 8 months now and it works great for me. See a lot of complaints about it, but no issues here with it. Filled a script and took as normal for two days and noticed it just wasnt working the same AT ALL... and I had stomach issues those days... finally looked at bottle and it was LEADING brand. I do believe some things are placebo effects, especially people with anxiety disorders and people who read tons of negative stuff on the internet and put it in their head there is a problem... it happens... but I had NO idea i had a different brand or even that they would do that to someone... so definitely different ingredients in the different generics. I was able to switch them out but they tried to tell me they are the same thing. Nope, sorry. Now when I put in my refill, i add to please have it Activis brand, thanks. ha.
Votes: +0
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Blue3141
11 Oct 2019
I am having a really hard time switching from Mylan 1mg Lorazepam. Have been on it for 6 years with no problems. Now I can’t find it. I tried Aurobindo and I am having severe anxiety and insomnia. Please help.
What is most similar to Mylan? Can you buy it in Canada or overseas? Can a compound pharmacy make the same exact formulation?
Thanks.
Votes: +0
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Bltc6278
29 June 2019
I picked up my prescription for Lorazepam. The pharmacist said it is a new manufacturer. The pills use to help with my anxiety and sleep. I haven’t slept for 4 nights. The pills don’t work anymore. I feel like the new manufacturer gave me a placebo.
Votes: +0
MA
MaryD417
13 Feb 2019
YES, and YES. This is RIDICULOUS. 3 months in a row I am left to scramble and find another generic for lorazepam since Mylan and Watson no longer make it. Preferred Pharma is (in my experience) placebo - it's sugar. Doesn't do a darn thing. I truly believe we need to rally together and start to get the FDA behind us. Anxiety is real. We shouldn't have to go through this. I'm at wits end and don't know what I'm going to do. Brand Ativan is just too expensive - $2.5k/mo that's insane. I agree with another commenter, if this were for diabetes or some other ailment, it would be handled. Why are they not treating this with the same regard???
Votes: +0
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drugs4rosey
5 March 2019
It isn't lactose, it isn't the Ativan itself, it is polacrillin potassium. Look it up. It is poison. If you can get it compounded. I am running out of compounding money over this drug, and am looking for an alternative. In the hospital iv ativan works great! And the Brand name has it too. So many people are searching for an answer. Aside from cutting the amount of actual drug (that is just a problem in dosing) they are poisoning us. That is what needs to get brought out. Ativan should have little to no side effects, and it is used as an antiemetic, so not something to get stomach issues over. The poison they are putting in these pills is really awful. I did the research. Climb all over the FDA or better yet a class action suit?
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Blue3141
11 Oct 2019
I am having a really hard time switching from Mylan 1mg Lorazepam. Have been on it for 6 years with no problems. Now I can’t find it. I tried Aurobindo and I am having severe anxiety and insomnia. Please help.
What is most similar to Mylan? Can you buy it in Canada or overseas? Can a compound pharmacy make the same exact formulation?
Thanks.
SA
sashasdad
1 Feb 2019
I don't think anybody is manufacturing the old generic lorazepam anymore. What I am referring to is one without side effects you mentioned. I also have had heartburn.. In addition, I have constant foot pain with the 2 milligram dosage and that's after splitting it into 4 parts.. .5 dose.. The foot pain I'm referring to you is muscular not skeletal.. I had no problems with the old Sardoz brand.. I suspect that they have added fillers to the new generic lorazapams and this is what causes side effects especially gastrointestinal stuff.. I know drug companies have to make money... What I can't fanthom is are they really saving money with a "generic" by adding fillers? If it's not fillers, then why can't they follow the recipe that Sardoz went by? I'd like to know if there are more people suffering from the changed lorazepam manufacturers.. I went from no problems to a problem every night with side effects.
I can't believe that my body changed over night in receiving the drug... I am going to go off the drug and deal with insomnia again if I have to .. The cure is worse than the disease in this case... Please gastrointestinal sufferers report this to your doctor and to the drug companies. Maybe we can affect a change back to Sardoz "recipe"... Thank you
Votes: +1
MU
murphd17
6 March 2019
hhhh hhhhhhhhhhh huFYes.
I take lorazepam for seizuyres: 1mg every morning and PRN if I feel a seizure aura. I've taken the same brand for more years than I know; same dose ... 1mg, works w/in 15-20 minutes.
On rare occasions, such as if I get sick, experience extreme physical/emotional stress, or multiple nights of no sleep ... I might need an extra 1/2 pill. At times, I only need 1/2 pill -- I take 1 reg Tylenol and 1/2 an Ativan for headaches, more often than not, it helps. At least, I will relax enough to rest.
We picked up new lorazepam; I woke needing a PRN and nothing! I took another 1/2, then another ... I didn't have a seizure, however, I had auras and didn't feel "right" for over an hour. I felt anxious after 2mg, which worried me.
I didn't turn the lights on all the way, hoping not to "fully" wake so I could get back to sleep (didn't).
I never read the label: the pharmacy is supposed to inform customers of any changes to medication brands and in the middle of the night, I couldn't see different markings on a similar sized white pill!
No placebo effect; not in my head ... I called my doctor's office to get blood work, to ensure the levels if my other meds were normal -- I was worried, I rarely take 2mg and never w/in the same hour!
I felt as if I didn't take my morning dose! I was concerned I didn't feel right and later that day I noticed different markings on the pill l and "leading" brand.
I went to their website and couldn't even locate a list of medications or chemical breakdown to compare to Watson.
SW
Swededane2
13 Sep 2018
Sept. 2018. Trying to find information about / "Helping my Mom" find " Mylan " type lorazapame" generic equivalent ? 1mg or scored 2mg. Generic. Any info. Would help for "alternate generic . Thanks.
Votes: +0
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sa5150
13 Sep 2018
They don't make it anymore , I have no problems with Watson scored tablets , They work great , Mylan in my opinion makes sugar pills.
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Swededane2
13 Sep 2018
Ok. Ill pass this information along. Thank you.*
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sa5150
13 Sep 2018
Your welcome and god luck .
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KayBee01
26 Oct 2018
Has anyone had problems with Teva Lorazepam in Ontario, Canada? I asked my pharmacy to only use Apo Lorazepam and up until this month, that is what I've received. However, not even noticing until now..this month they gave me Teva Lorazepam. I looked at my prescription because I found the lorazepam was not working and it was affecting my breathing... anyone else have this problem? Thanks.
I got some 0.5 mg lorazepam manufactured by Leading Pharma from a CVS in Richmond, VA, in July 2018. I took half of one today after my Mylan brand had almost run out, and got jittery and unsteady. I called my CVS pharmacy and they told me the Mylan was on back order, with a back order date of 9/28/18 for one of the size bottles they dispense it from. I see on this forum reports that Mylan has stopped making lorazepam. So I wonder if the back order that my CVS reported is something that will never materialize.
Votes: +0
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Car49
9 Sep 2018
If your pharmacy is right it will be a miracle to a lot of people! I can now only get Leading brand and it also made me speedy feeling at first but after a couple of weeks or so I adjusted to it and no longer have the jitter feeling, if that helps you any. If you can, make the switch gradually by alternating between the two.
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Denise01
13 Sep 2018
You’re absolutely right. Mylan will never materialize. They discontinued back in May. If you call yourself they will tell you exactly the same. I have found if I don’t do the work myself, I’ll never find out the truth. Leading is the formula everyone on this thread and another, calls the sugar pill and is made by Major Pharmaceuticals. It’s main ingredient has been cut by 20%, putting most of us in a withdrawal state. I have written to them and so have many others and we’re hoping the FDA will do something!! Good luck!!
DA
Dandp18
29 Dec 2018
Yes I was wanting to know if anyone is taking the leading brand of lorazepam 1 mg. I had to get that today after they said didn't have no other brand. I took the first one and started feeling very funny like I was going to pass out or something.I have 1 month of these.Please tell me this brand gets better because now I can't get it changed and my pharmacist says my doctor would change my prescription all together because they will fuss with you and tell you that all lorazepam is the same no matter the brand .I know my body and know what I feel. I was taking actavis last month, took 3 weeks before I could get a good nights sleep but they didn't make me feel weird like this leading brand unless my body just needs to get used to these. Does anyone have any feedback, thanks
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Car49
29 Dec 2018
I take Leading (after taking Mylan for years) and it made me feel speedy/weird at first but my body adjusted and that feeling went away and now I like it. So far not one panic attack on Leading.
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Dandp18
13 Jan 2019
Hi car49, I just wanted to ask you how long did it take to get used to the leading brand of lorazepam?I have taken it for a little over two weeks now almost three and the unsteady feeling I had during the day went away but I still can't sleep at night but maybe 3 or 4 hours. When I took activis last month I know it took about three weeks before I could get at least 5 or 6 hours which is much better.I just wish they would bring back mylan, do you know of one that compares to mylan brand?Oh and I take the 1 mg twice a day.Hope to hear from you soon.
CA
Car49
15 Jan 2019
It took a couple of weeks, if I remember correctly. I don’t know anything comparable to Mylan. Leading is all (the best) I can get in my area. Good luck!
I contacted Sandoz and they told me they had discontinued making Lorazepam. I asked why and was told it was a marketing decision. Marketing has no idea how many people rely on this drug. For my mother this was the only brand that worked for her. Not sure what we will do since other brands she has tried only work for a couple hours.
Votes: +0
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Pam52
17 Aug 2018
I am gradually switching from Mylan brand to Major. It has been a month almost and still take the Mylan 2mg on the morning and the Major brand at bedtime. I haven’t noticed a big difference this way. My Walgreens uses Activis as their generic and I couldn’t take that. As I have been able to let my body get used to the switch gradually, I do not foresee any problems when I am on all Major in a couple weeks.
CA
Car49
17 Aug 2018
I also switched from Mylan to Leading which manufactures Major. It took a good (or not so good) couple of weeks for me to adjust to it (at first it gave me a wired feeling). But better now. I’m holding on to the 3 Mylan I have in the event Leading doesn’t work on panic attack. Recommend a gradual switch!
CA
Car49
17 Aug 2018
Watson gave me heartburn and night leg jerks.
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Susez
20 Aug 2018
Here's my theory. Retailers of lorazepam, i.e. Walgreens, Costco, CVS etc., have Contracts with the distributors, and if the distributor carries a cheaper brand of lorazepam, which do you think corporate is going to purchase to save money? Thus, adios Mylan & Sandoz. And why do you think these cheaper brands dont work as well as the Mylan and Sandoz, because they use cheaper ingredients... starting to get the picture. So the distributors buy cheaper products from the manufactures and it sounds like Sandoz & Mylan can't or just don't want to compete anymore on that level with that particular generic.
Per my telephone calls on 7th August 2018 to both Sandoz (800.525.8747), and Mylan (877.446.3679) corporate east coast offices, they have both DISCONTINUED making lorazepam, a generic of Ativan. Personally, after 5 years on Sandoz 0.5mg, Walgreen switched me to Leading, same dosage. I tried it for 2 months with little results. Whereas Sandoz usually took effect within 15 minutes, Leading took 45 mins. to an hour to kick in, & just made me tired & depressed. I informed my doctor it wasn't working so I am starting Actavis by Watson today, as it seems it's the only other brand available in my city of over one million... hope this works. Will follow thru with an update in a few days. FYI: lorazepam by Actavis is manufactured by: Watson Pharma PVT LTD, Verna, Salcette Goa, 403 722 INDIA. The inactive ingredients are: LACTOSE, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, & polacrilin potassium.
Lorazepam by Sandoz was manufactured by: Actavis Pharma Manufacturing PVT LTD, SIDCO Pharmaceutical Complex, Alathur Dist. -603 101 Tamil Nadu, India FOR Sandoz. Lorazepam by Leading is manufactured by: Leading, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 It tastes sugary and is a far cry from being anywhere close to being as effective as Sandoz. I asked both companies why they 'dicontinued' lorazepam and only Sandoz responded saying, "it was a business decisions." (Big help, right!!! ) Hope this info is useful & helps others clarify some of the questions & rumors going around about the different brands of generic lorazepam. Inhale slowly from your stomach, hold a few seconds, then exhale slowly and have a great day! Look at your feet. You are standing in the sky. When we think of the sky, we tend to look up, but the sky actually begins at the earth.
Votes: +1
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Denise01
9 Aug 2018
I hate to tell you, but the watson( which isn’t really made by Watson), isn’t any different than the Leading. Leading is a distributor, I called them. The manufacturer is Rugby Labs/Major Pharmaceuticals. We need to all send complaints to them that their medicine isn’t working and this just isn’t fair. If we were diabetic or hypertensive, they’d be doing something!! They don’t care if we have panic attacks or anxiety disorder. We need to all stick together and complain!!
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Susez
9 Aug 2018
8.8.2018 Call the FDA in Maryland 1-888-463-6332 to find out who the Consumer Complaint Coordinator is in your state, the call them. You can also go on line to FDA 'Consumer Complaint Coordinators and they have a list of each state and their phone number. Yes, we should all let them know about our individual experiences with Leading's lorazepam, maybe someone will investigae if enough of us phone in.
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Car49
11 Aug 2018
I’ve taken Mylan for many years worked great and since they’ve discontinued I have been given Watson which gave me heartburn and jerking legs and Leading that acts more like speed. Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
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Susez
11 Aug 2018
Car49, so sorry both have such negative side effects for you. I'd suggest you let your Dr. know right away & discuss alternatives with him or her. It's so frustrating to find a good replacement product like the ones they discontinue because these large pharmaceutical companies are either merging, buying each other out or changing their names, constantly, ergo, formulas change (usually just the inactive ingredients, which understandably could give you some side effects), but who knows who is really checking any of this, particularly, the amount of lorazepam! Seems we're all in the same boat at this point in time since all the good brands, for now, have stopped manufacturing the lorazepam that worked so well for us! Hang in there, let the FDA know of your concerns... very important to do that!
I just had to get Watson by actavis lorazepam 1 mg.They had mylan before now it's on back order. I have taken the mylan 1 mg with no problems. I just took Watson yesterday and couldn't sleep at all. I am scared because I have 29 days of pills left unless doctor will write me a new script so I can go to a local place that said they ordered mylan for me. What do you do when you can't sleep and how long can you go without sleep, this has never happened before. If anyone has any suggestions please get back with me because I can't see my doctor until Monday. Why do these pharmacies keep getting different generics that can vary in strength by 20% higher or lower depending on which company makes them and we have to be their guinea pigs.
Votes: +0
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Denise01
4 July 2018
I’ve been dealing back and forth with Mylan and after talking to two diff reps waiting for this supposed nationwide backorder that was supposed to be back out after May 21, they are discontinuing. I was given Watson once during that time and an aspirin was just as effective. I looked into this as Watson was top company for a long time until Activis bought their lorazepam out and is still using the Watson stamp, but it is the Activis ingredients. I did research a few months ago and found Mylan still had some 0.5 mg available so I had my pharmacist order all he could and put my name on the bottles. I still take 1 mg twice a day, but have to use two of the 0.5 now. Leading has taken over the sales of lorazepam in all the corporate pharmacies. I posted their info on webmd and hope everyone starts complaining!! Panic disorder is a horrible disease to live with and nobody seems to care anymore. We have to be our own advocates. Good luck
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Pam52
5 July 2018
Mylan has quit making all Lorazepam in all doses as of June 18, 2018. I was on Mylan 2mg and it worked exactly the same as the brand name. I use Walgreens per my insurance and they use Activis brand now. Mylan was never their generic, but they would order it for me per my doctor’s orders. I had found that Mylan was the best generic and the only one that worked interchangeably with the brand name Ativan. I had problems with another generic feeling like it was not a full dose and the symptoms came back. The same thing happened to me years ago with my GERD med Zantac. I had been taking the same generic for years and they suddenly switched it. After a few days, I noticed my symptoms return. I now buy it at Sam’s Club since it is over the counter and I get the brand name cheaper. Not sure what I am going to do now that Mylan has quit Making Lorazepam
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LadyHazelEyes8
17 July 2018
Recently, I was sent Leading Pharma lorazepam and took it for a week. Well it made me sick, couldn't sleep and felt like it just wasn't doing anything. And I noticed it was twice as thick as Sandoz which seems to work for me. So it must have a lot of fillers, which I don't know whats in it. To get Ativan, name brand I would have to pay out of pocket around 800 dollars. Ridiculous! So back and forth, my doctor has had to write several different prescriptions... so they said they can get me Sandoz but its on backorder and maybe by August 2, Well I have 5 pills left... I have panic attacks and anxiety. This situation is not helping. I will write to the FDA complaining. I will call around to different Pharmacies to see if I can get something... Lets get Leading Pharma off the market! Central California
LA
LadyHazelEyes8
17 July 2018
I filed a complaint with the FDA just now. I have two other numbers to call for my area Consumer Complaint for Central COast California 510-337-6741and Center for Drug , Evaluation and Research 301-796-3400 to get the ingredients in these pills.
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Pam52
17 July 2018
I am now taking a Mylan 2 mg in the morning as that was the generic that worked well for me and a Justice Lorazepam 2mg at night. Doing a gradual switch to see how it goes. My insurance requires Walgreens and Activis is their generic. I tried that ages ago and the fillers preventer it from dissolving properly. Hoping the Justice works. They have to order it for me like the Mylan, but that’s ok. Only been on it 2 nights so far with Mylan in am of what I have left. Will let you know how it ends up!
CA
Car49
11 Aug 2018
How’s Justice working? I’ve taken Mylan for many years and since they’ve discontinued I have been given Watson which gave me heartburn and jerking legs and Leading that acts more like speed. Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
PA
Pam52
11 Aug 2018
The Justice brand has worked very well for me. Still taking Mylan what is left in the morning and Justice at night. Not noticing any difference. I think the switch will work well!
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Pam52
17 Aug 2018
I am still in the process of switching from Mylan 2mg twice a day to Major brand. W inadvertently said Justice in an earlier post as that is what the pharmacy said. But looking at the bottle, it is Major Brand. Walgreens carries Activis and it did not work for me. They now order me the major brand per doctor orders. It has been a month now where I take the Mylan in the morning and the Major brand at night. I have not noticed any significant difference. I was lucky enough to be able to do this gradual Switchover. I don’t think I will have any problems with the Major brand when I am on it exclusively.
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RockerJ
7 Sep 2018
I am very angry with Mylan. I've been on Mylan Clonazepam (Klonopin) for 11 years. They discontinued it on June 18, 2018 along with their version of Ativan. I've called numerous times, and all I get is that is was a "business decision." I've been through hell the past 2 months trying 4 different Klonopins, including the name brand, without any avail. Nothing works like the Mylan. My ears have been having a high pitch ringing everyday for 2 months now, since not being able to take the Mylan brand. Now my doc is switching me to 1 mg Ativan which is the Actavis brand, and I'm scared and tired. I have severe anxiety without these meds. It's a constant anxiety and depression. I've taken Actavis Xanax and it works fine, yet the clonazepam was horrible. And now reading, it doesn't seem that Ativan is as effective for everyday anxiety like klonopin. And it doesn't seem to last as long either throughout the day.
I am prescribed 1mg daily like I was on the klonopin generic. When I took the Mylan for the last 11 years, it worked fine. SO if anyone has some insight please let me know too!
Hang in there. A lot of this is just trial and error, there seems to be enough makers of lorazepam, it took me months to find the one that would work, Actavis was perfect , watson is what i use, not great but can get by, not the best way to go through life but better than the anxiety and panic attacks that come with not taking anything, good luck to you, don't give up looking
Votes: +0
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Denise01
14 June 2018
Watson used to be a good generic until they were bought out recently by Teva. The stamp on the pill was still Watson but I can guarantee you last month I had to double the dose when I had severe anxiety. Mylan 0.5 is still available according to my pharmacist so as long as I possibly can, I will have my 1 mg twice a day adjusted to two of the 0.5 twice a day. At least it works. I really hope everybody complaining, not just this site, but webmd, must be hundreds of people I’m in contact with having the same problems. I have written to these companies to no avail!! If it was an anti hypertensive I can guarantee that they would be all over fixing this problem!!
