I have been on clonazepam .5 dosage for the past 2 years now. I had been taking the generic brand Teva, which worked amazing for me! However, for my past two prescription refills, I had been getting orange pills instead of my usual yellow ones. The bottle says that the manufacturer of these orange pills is “Accord”? And since taking this brand, I have felt horrible. My short term memory is messed up, and I have this weird feeling that my body is on autopilot. It’s so hard to explain. My anxiety has been at an increased level. Overall, I feel like I just might be going insane! Is it even possible for a change in the manufacturer of the same brand to cause different side effects? As stated previously, Teva brand worked outstandingly well for me. Does anyone else feel this way with the Accord brand of clonazepam? What do I do? I’m open to any and all advice!
Is Accord generic clonazepam awful for anyone else?
Question posted by Anonymous on 13 June 2018
Last updated on 12 June 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
82 Answers Page 6
Teva brand clonazepam for 8 years(4mg per day) for seizures. Per call to Teva, they bought out Activas and Teva said they are using Activas formula now. Just got Teva brand after they said they quit making it. It was a sugar pill, had a bad reaction. Weird from one month to the next of no problems then bad reaction. The lady at the CVS pharmacy showed me the medication before I got it. Looked like TEVA but had a reaction to it. 1st time that happened. Just because it looks the same doesn't mean it is the same. Had the same reaction to another brand Accord.
Teva & Solco have helped me best. Teva was recently discontinued & I was stuck with accord. It’s not the worst out of the generics I have had. But, I had rebound anxiety. Actavis & Teva has a partnership. Actavis took over clonazepam now. Actavis is a great pharma company as well as Teva. The best that I felt was closest to Brand was Qualitest but they left and became Solco- endo&Par... Teva was the same quality
As, I have had issues with generics for years. I had to change to diazepam since, Teva discontinued their generic. I took Actavis and felt ok at first- then, I began have the worst mental & physical side effects. I’m on Teva diazepam and on a very high dose I used to feel very calm and my panic & phobias would improve. Now, it’s like I take it just so, I don’t hyperventilate and withdraw. I no longer have the answers about what generic brand is best. I am having a difficult time figuring out why it’s not helping & what generic will. My insurance company says to submit for brand then, either denies me or makes me pay a brand name penalty copay?! So, one med was $740.- I would have to pay $640. For 60 pills.
I hope that you’re doing well and have figured out what helps you best!
Take care - muse
Oh my gosh, YES!! I’m so glad you posted this. I’m in tears now knowing what has been going on with me, and that other people are having the same issues with this brand. This is the second month with these awful, orange pills. I’ve been taking clonazepam for over 5 years now, and last month I noticed it didn’t work as well to control my anxiety (if at all). This month (same pill) my anxiety again isn’t helped, and on top of that I wake up exhausted - not just tired, but physically exhausted. My body aches like I ran a marathon. I end up on the couch all day long because I’m so worn down and tired. The worst though is my memory. I forget things I was told or things I need to do. I’m finding things I’ve done that I have no memory of (like I make something to eat and I find a partially eaten bowl of noodles the next morning with no memory of making it).
There’s no way I can keep taking these, but what can I do? I just got these filled last week, so it’s not like I can go somewhere else and get the brand I used to use that I know works.
I'm so sorry you're going through this Fudipg. My heart breaks every time I hear another person going through this nightmare. I went through the same thing when I was put on the Accord brand (orange pills.) They were completely ineffective. My doctor said it put me into what is known as "acute withdrawal." This explains your symptoms. Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal.
My doctor wrote me a new script (it has to be brand new) for name brand Klonopin. I know other people who went through this asked their pharmacists to switch them to another generic (there are a few you can request.) Your pharmacy should have a few different generic brands in stock but I know many are running low. Tell them that you cannot take the Accord brand because it makes you sick. If they give you issues, call your doctor and tell them what is going on and have them prescribe you anything other than Accord brand. Then if you can, contact the FDA and file a complaint letting them know what happened to you when you took this medication. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
Actavis clonazepam is working great. Similar to Teva. CVS carries it. I had the same issue with Accord.
You're not out of options, your doctor can write you a new script for either a different dosage or a different variety and you can get it filled right away. You may want to make an appointment and have him write a prescription for the the generic klonopin in wafer form. It's an quick dissolve tablet that dissolves on your tongue which is different than the tablet form. Your insurance will cover it immediately since its a different version. Teva/Bar makes the wafer as does Parr and Sun pharmaceuticals. You still have options, don't give up!
It took me nearly 3 months, and a good 3 weeks off clonazepam while I was fighting with insurance and a lazy Walgreens. but I was able to get name brand klonopin. My psych wrote “DAW name brand only”, and then she had to call my insurance after they rejected the initial prior authorization, but I’m good for the next year getting name brand.
Good luck everyone! Accord is awful stuff!
I agree with the comments on ACCORD. HORRIBLE in so many ways and, it simply does not work the way the clonazepam from Activist. I have 3 months of the ACCORD and, try as I might, this garbage company, Acccord makes a bad , inferior product. Too bad Kroger will not get another generic. They weren't even nice about it. I called their corporate offices to complain. In the meantime Costco is ordering in Activist for me. Thank you Costco!! (& their cheaper!). do not "second guess" yourself if u think Accord is or isn't bad. IT IS BAD. don't waste your sanity or health because a pharmacist tells u it's the same. YOU know how it makes you feel.
Activism causes edema (fluid retention) and I’ve had trouble with edema in my ankles it wakes me up and it’s so uncomfortable it can be painful. So I haven’t been sleeping well. I used to take Mylan.
I’m also very sensitive to artificial dyes so I can only take white pills now.
It’s a mess. I tried compounded clonazepam and it didn’t work.
Has anyone else had clonazepam made by a compounding pharmacy?
Mine was in a capsule. Not a liquid.
Activism causes edema (fluid retention) and I’ve had trouble with edema in my ankles it wakes me up and it’s so uncomfortable it can be painful. So I haven’t been sleeping well. I used to take Mylan.
I’m also very sensitive to artificial dyes so I can only take white pills now.
It’s a mess. I tried compounded clonazepam and it didn’t work.
Has anyone else had clonazepam made by a compounding pharmacy?
Mine was in a capsule. Not a liquid.
Activism causes edema (fluid retention) and I’ve had trouble with edema in my ankles it wakes me up and it’s so uncomfortable it can be painful. So I haven’t been sleeping well. I used to take Mylan.
I’m also very sensitive to artificial dyes so I can only take white pills now.
It’s a mess. I tried compounded clonazepam and it didn’t work.
Has anyone else had clonazepam made by a compounding pharmacy?
Mine was in a capsule. Not a liquid.
Activism causes edema (fluid retention) and I’ve had trouble with edema in my ankles it wakes me up and it’s so uncomfortable it can be painful. So I haven’t been sleeping well. I used to take Mylan.
I’m also very sensitive to artificial dyes so I can only take white pills now.
It’s a mess. I tried compounded clonazepam and it didn’t work.
Has anyone else had clonazepam made by a compounding pharmacy?
Mine was in a capsule. Not a liquid.
I am having the same problem with Accord. Does anyone know how Actavis compares to Teva?
Compared to Accord brand is the only brand I was taking for a year. I got Activis and it didn't seem to work . My DR. said that it's in my mind because I read it online. I only looked it up because it wasn't working. He is no help . Next month I'll have to call to see who has Accord.
I took Actavis for years and it works great!! I've been on Klonopin for over 30 years. When my pharmacy switched me to ACCORD i did not realize it BUT by the 2nd day with NO sleep, no anxiety relief and very odd feelings in my head/brain which is difficult to explain, I started realizing ACCORD did NOT work at all. It really doesn't. So, I had some left over pills from Axtavis and, started taking them. WOW, worked as usual, GREAT. Then one night i accidentally took the ACCORD and, had one of the worst nights ever. Again, I took it thinking it was my imagination OR, I had had too much coffee or, was overly stressed. WRONG, the ACCORD does NOT work and, I doubt even has a drop of Benzo in it. It's from China and, filled with binders and fillers, cheaply made, not scored, falls apart and, bottom line: ACCORD is a phony, bogus med and, the pharmacies buy it because its CHEAPER for them, not you!! i did call the FDA to make a complaint. EVERYONE needs to call, please. As an aside, Costco WILL order my klonopin from Activist thought they, too use ACCORD.
Isn't ACCORD Health Care headquarters in England?
I believe that these accords are made in China. And who knows what's in them.
Agree with this 10000 percent. Accord is absolute sh€T.
I was experiencing “brain zaps” which is what I feel whenever I’ve felt withdrawal from medication. I knew none of my other medication had changed, I knew I had been taking my other meds consistently, everything was normal- but then it hit me, my kpin was changed and i wasn’t even biased I literally experienced complete lack of anxiety relief; my social anxiety has been raging back. I remember telling my doctor how glad I was that my anxiety was basically in remission entirely about a year before this nightmare of the inferior kpin. It’s trash. The blue ink dye is also absolutely ridiculous. It turns my entire mouth and teeth bright blue if I take mine sublingually for breakthrough.
I’ll NEVERNEVER EVER accept accord again, I’m thankful the PUBLIX I go to is kind enough to also keep actavis as a different option, although the default is the cheap cheap filth, and one must ask for actavis. Actavis is not near as helpful as original TEVA, but it’s extraordinarily superior to accord.
I’ve filed a complaint with the FDA. I hope enough people will do so.
I started with the Accord 1mg blue ones they have always worked well . I took the Activis because they were out and they didn't work for me . I do get depression. I have never tried name brand of klonopin, but I'm sure its not covered with my insurance. I bet it will effect you if you switch brands no matter the brand name .
Teva is superior to Accord.When you can change pharmacy's.
I was wondering if anyone has had a hand skin rash from the Accord brand?
Accord brand clonazepam does not work for me. It doesn't work for anxiety and seems to make my depression worse. I used Mylan and Teva and don't know whether to us Activus or Prinston. Any suggestions?
I had an increase in systemic itching this week on Accord brand .5 mg clonazepam. I'm not sure if it's related to my regular itching or not. but it definitely was increased with Accord - along with massive headaches and bodyaches.
I cant take clonazepam anymore, Accord is terrible WHY doesnt TEVA ,make it I contact the company and they said they are hoping to manufacture it again as there has been so many complaints but dont know when that doesnt help us who are suffering.
I switched to generic Valium at the conversion rate to amount of clonazepam I was taking. The green Teva has worked but the blue replacement generic caused severe insomnia/ sleep deprivation, body aches- felt like flu, extreme irritability, anxiety/depression and I wound up in the hospital where switched to diazepam. I was at a snapping point at that time. Could not get help from my own GP, pharmacy and insurance ce made very unrealistic recommendations. So glad someone heard me and helped me.
Sjstuck99, you are not alone. It is happening to MANY of us. What you are experiencing sounds a lot like what I experienced when I started the Accord brand. It's called acute withdrawal. I was on Accord for about 2 weeks and finally could not take it anymore. I had my doctor switch me to name brand only. It helped stop the withdrawal symptoms, but it does not compare to Teva. Can you call your doctor and ask them to switch you to name brand or another generic (anything other than Accord.) Hope that helps and you start to feel better soon.
When you say it’s happening to “many of us”, is this another thread on this site, or is there another site people are posting this? I’m going to call my psychiatrist, but I want to have something to show her how others are having the same issues.
Yes there is another thread of comments on this site under the question "Does generic clonazepam (Teva) work as well as brand Klonopin?" That's where I first discovered what was happening.
If you scroll down to the bottom you will see comments from April - present day. They are all about the major switch that happened in April when clonazepam users got switched off of Teva onto this stuff. Also, there are comments on Reddit as well as a site called "MedsChat" Also, I took a screen shot of the Google+ reviews of the Accord Health Care Inc. page (they make the orange pills.) It has many complaints on it from people who are like us, experiencing horrible reactions to this medication. Print those out and show them to your doctor. That is what I did.
Pete Vleckman,
THANK YOU for your comments regarding what is going on with the Clonazepam prescriptions manufactured by Accord; and also for giving me the idea to call my doctor to change my Accord prescription to “brand name only”, or even to another generic. I was recently given the Accord brand of Clonazepam for the first time by my local Walgreens, after having been on different brands of Clonazepam for about 10 years. I did not know what was happening to me. Not only did the Accord prescription do NOTHING for my anxiety attacks, but it actually seemed to increase it. I just called Walgreens, and they told me that it was impossible to have the reaction I had. Now that I am aware that I am not the only one with this problem, I will be calling my doctor to see what she can do for me.
Pete Vleckman,
THANK YOU for your comments regarding what is going on with the Clonazepam prescriptions manufactured by Accord; and also for giving me the idea to call my doctor to change my Accord prescription to “brand name only”, or even to another generic. I was recently given the Accord brand of Clonazepam for the first time by my local Walgreens, after having been on different brands of Clonazepam for about 10 years. I did not know what was happening to me. Not only did the Accord prescription do NOTHING for my anxiety attacks, but it actually seemed to increase it. I just called Walgreens, and they told me that it was impossible to have the reaction I had. Now that I am aware that I am not the only one with this problem, I will be calling my doctor to see what she can do for me.
The name brand Klonopin is extremely expensive. Clonazepam is generic because of the expense. So if the op doesn't mind spending about $150 a month on the name brand that's their chose but I can't do that.
My insurance covers name brand. Out of pocket is 240 for 60 tablets. You will need to get prior authorization from your insurance company and then you will need to have a doctor write a script to the pharmacy for “name brand medically necessary.” It’s a process but well worth it after being on Accord and getting sick.
I was finally able to get my insurance to cover the name brand klonopin. The Accord brand was making me black out, and my dr was able to get them to approve it because it wasn't safe for me to take it.
When you got the new brand we’re you at all worried it may not work well before taking it?
No offense but I think you had a psychological “withdrawal” reaction. Even if it doesn’t work as well (for instance 1mg only working as 0.5mg which is an extreme example but for arguments sake) you still wouldn’t go through “acute withdrawal”. I’ve gone through that acute withdrawal is when you haven’t been weaned down properly and aren’t taking any benzos. I can’t figure in any science that would make someone go into withdrawal while taking a benzo even if it’s only half as effective as it should be. Again, no offense.
I’ve been taking the blue “C 1” Accord ones for a while now and I like them. To be honest I’ve never found much of a difference with any brand except speed of action, and maybe a little difference in duration and very little difference in strength.
I'm used to seeing a different pill with my meds at least 1-2 times a year depending on availability or if I use CVS vs Walgreens, so I didn't connect the two initially. For me, the efficacy was secondary, and it was the sudden onset of blackouts and memory loss that had me freaked out. It wasn't until I Googled the brand and found this thread that I connected the issues with the new manufacturer. I'm now on name brand Klonopin, and don't have these issues - although oddly, I think the Teva worked better at controlling my anxiety than namebrand.
I took my new actavis pills and didn't connect what was happening to me until I wound up in the hospital. So no... its not psychological.
I'm still working on getting better
I recently, last week, asked my Dr. If he would please write a new Rx for clonazepam, I only found 2 pharmacies when calling all I could think of in Baton Rouge and Lafayette that have the brand name and generic my body works well with. Also, I'd give him the remaining ones in my current bottle. He's even told me that he has no doubt that I suffer horribly with anxiety. Yet, he said we would talk about it at my next appt. I was really disappointed. I'm now looking into info to show him that it's not just me regarding this.
Have your doctor order .5mg. Pink pills . See Teva Generics for an illustration.
The new version of Teva is not what it was before. I had withdrawal symptoms this week. I had to go back to the brand-name which was fine. But the experience with the new version was horrifying. If you have any questions just let me know. Thank you.
I have been on clonazepam (Generic Klonopin) 1MG 3 times daily for 8 years and always was given the TEVA generic brand at my pharmacy, however i switched pharmacies back in November and have been receiving the Accord Clonazepam 1mg tablets and am more than happy with them. I feel no difference. The only Generic of Klonopin reported to be not equivalent is the mylan generic klonopin as they have been recalled several times last time being 2016. Hope this helps.
PS: If it is bothering you that bad, Go to CVS, they carry TEVA klonopin and are in contract w/ them.
- CphT
Chandler L.
TEVA no longer manufactures clonazepam.
CVS only carries Accord. Accord bought out Teva.
Accord did not buy out TEVA. Accord purchased some of TEVA's assets as part of TEVA's acquisition of Actavis. Clonazepam is not listed as one of the product lines they purchased.
Went to my neurologist yesterday,got put back on diazepam to replace the awful Accord clonazepam. When I was leaving,there was a Teva sales rep waiting in the waiting room,I told him people where upset that his company no longer carried their brand of clonazepam. This man had no idea that his company quit the manufacturing of this drug,his phone rang and he answered it and blew me off like I was a red headed stepchild.
Went to my neurologist yesterday,got put back on diazepam to replace the awful Accord clonazepam. When I was leaving,there was a Teva sales rep waiting in the waiting room,I told him people where upset that his company no longer carried their brand of clonazepam. This man had no idea that his company quit the manufacturing of this drug,his phone rang and he answered it and blew me off like I was a red headed stepchild.
I usually use CVS, and they are the ones who just gave me the Accord Health Care generic Clonazepam. It was the first time I've seen that brand since I started my prescription in 2012. My usual is either Teva or Mylan so I was confused. Horrible side effects from Accord! Never again.
I live in Virginia and all the CVS stores are currently not able to fill Teva as they are making changes and have bought Actavis so are now using Actavis their primary. Hopefully not your state though. If you have problems as I always ask what they have before I fill it. Just a thought. Check other pharmacies first and ask your doctor for a paper script so you can take it to whomever has what works best. If you’re having problems tell your doctor and that you’d like to bring in the rest of your pills and get a new script that you are having bad reactions. That should help as well.
Accord only bought 13 products from Teva. They are as follows The products are a mix of both on-market and pipeline products. These include: Abacavir / Lamivudine, Aripiprazole, Bimatoprost, Cinacalcet, Dutasteride, Enalapril / Lercanidipine, Fulvestrant, Hydrochlorothiazide / Nebivolol, Naloxone / Oxycodone, Rasagiline, Risedronic Acid, Voriconazole and Zonisamide.
Hi there 96Chanz!
Teva is no longer “owned” by the Pharma company in Israel. They sold it out to another company and of which has several different overseas Manufacturers..at least that’s what I researched.. and Teva company wrote me a response as well. They still make other meds.
-Maybe your CVS had left over Teva that’s still good.. but where I live (in CA) Mylan is the only option for me that works-very similar to me and sometimes it’s not at every CVS since they’re a chain franchise and all separate. I find it much better than the other generics. Of course, Teva was my favorite!
Anyway, everybody’s different right? What Works well for one person may Not for another..
Teva no longer makes klonopin unfortunately.
It is now Actavis which makes me really sick with migraines and increased anxiety. I was on Teva for years and it worked great. I have tried everything to replace it, and finally had to switch to xanax xr. It has been a nightmare for me.
UPDATE: I wanna say this was posted back in Jun. 2018 when I commented that. TEVA was still in stock at a lot of Pharmacies in the US. I will say ever since July/Aug I have received a different brand. Those were Accord. Now that I am back at CVS for all of my prescriptions except my Adderall (I only find the Teva/barr adderall effective and Walgreens is the only pharmacy that carries them) I have been getting Actavis US Clonazepam 1mg 'R 34' pill. Hope this helps. Also I am a CphT. js. I may be 22 but my degree has gave me alot of insight about the pharmaceutical industry (Obviously) . You guys have a great day xD
- Chandler L.
If you give it a chance it will work. Like you I thought OMG I'm at the end of the world, when I got on Accord from taking Sandoz .05 mg 4 times a day for over 15 plus years.
What helped is my Dr got ahold of 2 months supply of my Sandoz brand for me. After tapper off, meaning taking X amount of Sandoz for 2 weeks, then cutting back to Y amount of Accord until my body started adjusting to the new dose, until all I'm taking is Accord. You can't just cut your body off of a med that you are used to without going through some sort of withdraw, not in a good way.
I can't tell you out of all the Brands I tried which isn't many anymore, the Accord is far better then ACTAVIS and one other that we have available, neither worked for me. At least Accord does, you might have to take a little more, it works and your brain starts to go back to normal in time. I's strongly recommended from one brand to the other it starts to work in time, but try getting your Dr to give you something to help with the transition if they can. You can find old types if you call around for a Special Order it takes a lot of leg work.
My point is you can't go from one to another if you have been taking it forever.
They have been discontinued everywhere.
I have all my info at this 1 pharmacy and I guess it's an excuse. I will call around and see who carries what.
Was really curious to see if other people are having issues with that particular brand or if it's just me.
Thank you for your help.
Correct about CVS, and carrying only Accord. I have had terrible PTSD and when CVS carried another brand, I felt like myself again for the first time in years. It was such welcome relief. Then things changed about 10-12 months ago. I was told by the purchasing agent of a major chain that yes, Accord is not a true generic, that this chain had been receiving many complaints about it. My experience was that I was in withdrawal due to the pills not having 100 percent of what makes clonazepam effective but also the effects of my PTSD returning. At first I thought I must have built a tolerance to the medicine, and to test that, I switched to another independent pharmacy (since most chain pharmacies carry Accord now) and they had another generic which reminded me of what feeling better was and that it was not tolerance. I have contacted purchasing agents of many pharmacies, reported them to the Nat'l Inst.
of Heath and the FDA (as indebted as they are to big pharma) and now it is to the point where I will have to switch to another anti-anxiety med and risk a higher level addiction just to feel healthy again. The FDA is sold out and could care less if a generic is a true generic or not. The reason I say all of this is that I know myself after 60 yrs on this planet, and I know when meds are not right. It seems the respect for the manufacture of true generics has all but vanished into the past and the standards of the FDA with them. So no you're not going crazy, you're going through withdrawal and resurfacing of the symptoms that put you on the drug to begin with. After 3 months of good generics, my independent pharmacy switched out to Accord, I didn't know until I opened the bottle. I am now in withdrawal and having my PTSD symptoms flare at the same time uh-gain. I have been calling around to other pharmacies in time for the next refill and you'd think was I asking for classified information with some of them, which tells you the pharmacies know too and the value of the buck wins out over caring about patients.
My mom and pop pharmacy has been able to order the Teva brand. It's been a game changer. I called around until I found a pharmacy that would work with me.
They understood that I was not getting the right treatment with the Accord and similar brands.
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