Clonazepam - Why did Teva stop making their old formula and go to using Actavis brand which is Weak?

Question posted by allsugar50 on 21 Sep 2018

Last updated on 18 November 2023

... One month to

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36 Answers Page 3

Jdlucas 5 March 2019

Today, March 5th 2019, at Walgreens I asked for TEVA brand. They were only able to fill partial, but ordered more. I have 2 refills on file after.

The manufacturers name is TEVA and is round and green with one side saying TEVA and the other side has the number 833 with a score mark.

What does everyone think of this?
The original TEVA generics used to be printed 93 833/other side simply scored, the ones I received today is TEVA on one side, and 833 on the other.

Using the pill identifier does not return anything on Activus, just says TEVA...

Votes: +1

Jdlucas 5 March 2019

I want to add that when I first started on clonazepam, I was given TEVA, but then they started filling me with ACCORD.. which felt not as good, and didn’t work as well. Was on that for a few months. Then went to a different pharmacy and asked for something different. Received Qualitest and that seemed better.. today was refill day and now recieved green pills from TEVA... I will report my findings...

Matt43 6 March 2019

I wish you could show a photo, are you sure it’s 833 and not a cursive R with 33 below it, that’s the Actavis #. I’m just wondering if Teva just started stamping the Actavis brand who they bought out.

KEE33 6 March 2019

I just called Teva - long story short the gentlemen that I spoke with told me that they have been taking into consideration everyone calling in complaining about Activis formula. He told me they are talking about bringing back the original Teva formula but it will be manufactured in another location. It is not being dispensed or anything and is still not available at this time. He told me that it is in the early stages of being talked about bringing it back and that I would need to call back in 60 to 90 days to get updates on where they are with this process as it will take time. Praying this happens & SOON!!!

Suza2711 11 Jan 2020

I might have found a small pharmacy that has the "original" formula (just a hunch). Your description of the old TEVA... is it the 1mg or 0.5? Just curious...

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Sara85 28 Jan 2019

Teva is discontinued. Teva decided to go with a cheaper Chinese company named Accord. There is a difference in the filter ingredients. Another brand is Activias, I hope this helps.

KEE33 29 Jan 2019

I contacted Teva, they actually sold just a few of their products to Activas. Activas has the most similar ingredients that Teva did but not exactly the same. Accord is a Chinese manufacturer but isnt affiliated with Teva.
I wish Teva would decide to bring back their original formula though

ddearagao 20 Jan 2019

My pharmacy CVS didn't even tell me they changed my prescription to accord. Accord is worse than Actavis. I called every pharmacy and none sell Teva. I only found 1 that sold Actavis. I filed complaints with every organization, pharmacy, Teva, and my doctor. I was going nuts on Accord. Actavis is better but not like Teva. I use this medicine for cervical dystonia.

Votes: +2

TKMarsh711 20 Jan 2019

I am on the name brand for now but my insurance isn't going to pay for it anymore. I've told my Dr. about everyone complaining about the generics. His response was that he had lots of patients on it and no one has complained.

MuseMyself 29 Jan 2019

In the beginning I thought actavis was better then, I was having major side effects as I was told I was going through withdrawal. I thought it was a step up from Accord I no longer believe that to be true. Accord I had withdrawal symptoms but, not nearly as severe as actavis. My Dr. immediately called in diazepam to stop the withdraw and calm my panic. Teva diazepam has changed as well I never had to be on such a high dose in order to stop restlessness and be able to sleep. I still have anxiety but, it’s the best option at the moment. Teva and brand have different compounds I did better on Teva than, brand. I did better on qualitest than, Teva. They have sold there scoring imprint to solco years ago but, not the formula. Qualitest and Teva where the top of my list I didn’t ever have withdrawals from switching from one to the other like I have major issues with now.

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I don’t have a clue what other diazepam to try because, phama are buying one another and partnering up and they are just getting worse. When, I was in the hospital I had the lower dose of DAN as it was helpful. I went to get off benzodiazepines and was weaned of 80mg of diazepam in less than five days using Teva orally dissolving tablets. Even though, I left in full withdrawal- I became aware that Teva is still using their ODT formula that I have taken before as I felt more like myself again for a couple days. I am going to discuss going back on the Teva ODT next month.
Take care
Muse

Bowie55 14 June 2019

I use it for similar issues. I talked to my pharmacy today and they said they are only selling Accord brand even if Teva returns. I don't know what to do.

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DDebra 30 Dec 2018

I am going through the same withdrawal since they discontinued the Teva generic. It’s no fun, believe me. Just wondering if anyone had thought about getting advice from an attorney regarding a class action suit against the company. It appears to me there are enough voices that would be behind something like this. I’ve been on this medication for over 10 years and with no prior notice, they just stop making it. It’s disrupting people’s lives, and I feel like our voices should be heard.

Votes: +15

Barbara 67 31 Dec 2019

I am going through the same thing . The light green Teva pill worked great for me with no side effects and instant relief. The new blue pill makes me worse. I see my doctor on the 19 going to see if I can change to Valium. My doctor says by law manufacturer are allowed to add 10% less of the actual drug to generic brands. So you need to take more to get your actual dosage. She said and us doctors believe they add even less than the 10%. The withdrawal has been murder

DonaldRFuller 25 Oct 2021

Same thing happened to me except with chlordiazepoxide (Librium). I'm not sure who the manufacturer was, though. Chlordiazepoxide cannot be found anywhere. I think the FDA is more interested in pushing more expensive brand name medications. I bet if one followed it, the money trail would lead right back to the FDA.

Simspn74-19 19 Dec 2018

I think it's because they were in trouble with the fda and couldn't get by cheap and they bought actavis and run thier junk which isn't any good.. I was on teva 1mg and work perfect and now I'm on thier yellow r34 pill and it's not doing anything but making me sick if thier is a karma in the drug place I hope it bites hard on teva for doing so many people wrong with these medications and people who lost thier jobs

Votes: +3

MuseMyself 22 Sep 2018

I’m not sure why Teva stopped clonazepam. Their ingredients differ. Teva has two more inactive ingredients than, Actavis... one of which is water. I’m not sure if, it is “weaker”. It may just hit its peak onset differently. Actavis, uses the same inactive ingredients as brand Klonopin. Teva, had worked best for me for many years without any side effects. I also, felt it lasted the longest in my system. Compared to other generics- such as Mylan
that I went through withdrawal from & ended up in the ER as the doctor didn’t believe me & thought I was drug seeking- his words to me were, “ I am not giving you more medication than you are on- Good Luck!” ( very arrogantly)... mylan, was worse than, a placebo for me. Others, felt it helped them best.

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Even though, they were recalled multiple times for their lack of compliance in their potency & became, under investigation for over a year before, they were forced to recall & discontinue their clonazepam. That’s why they are no longer allowed to manufacture certain drugs... they were recalled before, for other medication for super potency- being too potent. Everyone, has a different reaction...
FDA approves Generic meds within their approval guidelines being met with a generic drug can be off either 20% above or below potency as well as when, peak onset is reached to be “equivalent” to brand... switching from one generic to another can be up to 40% difference. Whenever, I had switched from brand to generic or to another generic- I felt a major difference. I have tried every generic of clonazepam- Actavis was actually, superior to others generic brand opinions. On Actavis -at first, I was calmer not hyperventilating or having panic attacks w/o any side effects. The more I took Actavis brand- I was having more side effects than, I could handle. My mood changed, sleeping less, having more pain then- usual, & I felt like I was hungry all the time. I had no other generic options to try. I spoke to my doctor about it & he switched me to diazepam from Teva. With the diazepam, I’m calmer with a lot less side effects (so far). It’s weaker than, it used to be when, I had taken it years ago. I feel it’s a lot better than- other clonazepam generics options. With diazepam -I feel I am able to take less & less often. I hope I will be able to discontinue it more easily than, clonazepam -when, I am ready...

Votes: +6

Brand2generic 22 Sep 2018

I'm going through horrible withdrawal and it started with the change of manufacturing. My doctor tried to get me the brand name and there's NONE availiable. I too was hopeful that I could taper off with the brand name product but honestly, there's no similarity between Teva and "whichever" one pharmacy decides to go with. So depressed and hopeless. :(

MuseMyself 23 Sep 2018

Teva bought out Actavis and many others... yes, there is still brand Klonopin. I thought about going back on it. The switch to diazepam was a faster and better option. I did some research on many generics today. For the fact, they used to actually help. Where Teva’s manufacturing their medicines has changed as did many other companies. Most generic companies are from China, Japan, Mexico, India, etc. not many that are based in the US actually, manufacture their medicines here- they pack them...
But, they do have brand name- it’s not a lot more money- maybe a different pharmacy may be able to get it for you.
I’m still trying for my insurance to approve brand topamax.
I hope you find something that helps! I know the withdrawal and the generic issue too well!
Take care!

TwitchMasterFlex 19 Nov 2018

I am going through the same issue.
mylan is making me sick and miserable.

I am asking for diazepam today as well.

Byrjun 13 Dec 2018

TEVA worked great for me for years, Actavis put me in the hospital, solco lots of side effects, teva melting tablets gave me hives...
I'm on the name brand. Hoping to get a brand exception from my doc/insurance. She wont put me on diazepam and said she tapers with ativan (WHAT?!), but aside from that, the name brand STILL isnt as good as teva was, TEVA changed my life.
I called them and complained at least 4 times, letting them know what happened, and if they did a simple google search for TEVA clonazepam they'd see they're ruining a lot of peoples lives. I dont think they really care but hoping if enough people complain maybe they'll bring it back. I mean actavis put me in the hospital, I cant really prove it but maybe if I threaten them with the bill? lol

Byrjun 14 Dec 2018

I made a petition on change.org for those who want to try that route

TwitchMasterFlex 19 Dec 2018

I would sign it.

I am still a mess.

Appointment on the 31st

Im asking for Xanax if he says no I am going to end up in the hospital.

I am sick all the time from these death pills.

I would personally go to the company with a film crew if I could find people that wanted to join in.

I am dead serious.

Link to petition?

KEE33 21 Dec 2018

How can I find the petition?

KEE33 29 Dec 2018

The Activas 1 mg once per day was giving me chest tightness and shortness of breath. My doctor switched me to Diazepam 5 mg once per day. I went to the pharmacy to get it today and only took 1/2 of the pill (I am sensitive and was scared to take the full pill). I now keep having waves of nausea and feel like I just want to sleep. It is a miserable feeling. I really don't know what to do. I'm glad I didnt take the whole pill...

MuseMyself 29 Jan 2019

KEE,
I hope you are feeling better. I was put on diazepam your body actually adjusts quickly to it. For some reasons lower doses help better I guess they have different compounds that affect me differently my insurance won’t pay to take four pills at a time so, I am kind of stuck taking the two... Klonopin was the same thing my doctor had to explain I needed to take four a day then just increased my tablet mg and dose the 1mg worked better than two... I’m going to try a different generic next week hoping it helps better I’ve been to afraid of going through withdrawal I stayed with Teva just to get by.
Hope you’re doing better
Take care!
Muse

Worthyexpress 18 Feb 2019

I wish TEVA did not discontinue their clonazepam either. Fortunately, I was in a process of tapering off. I will go to my doctor to see if diazepam will work for me. I am also taking a herbal supplement to relax the heart muscle which calms the mind too to deal with anxiety issues. The herbal supplement helped decrease the dosage of clonazepam. Just to share my experience.

Inactive 2 Sep 2019

Teva and Sandoz both tested over 100% of the control clonazepam (Klonopin Roche labs) Teva beat the klonopin in all areas by 100% - 101.8%. Sandoz beat the control by 107% in all areas. And people think there's nothing wrong...

Msrhodes 21 May 2021

Hi, I was on TEVA for many years. When suddenly they quit making it. I could not take Actavis nor accord, the sublingual is a joke. I'm interested in trying to start a class action law suit against TEVA for our pain and suffering and multiple doctor appoints. Right? I have been living in hell ever since 2018. I hope to here back from you.

casperchyna 21 June 2021

I'm sorry your Dr is such an ass. I'm going through that right now because my Dr decided I was drug seeking and refused to give me anything at all and prescribed me to have a sleep study done instead. I am no longer seeing this arrogant Dr. My new Dr didn't see a problem with prescribing what I need. I hope you have a different Dr that will help you. Don't let this mean Dr keep you from getting the help you deserve. We know our body's and minds better than any Dr. Especially those who shouldn't be practicing medicine to begin with.

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