Every generic clonazepam pill/NDCs manufactured by each pharmaceutical company feel different?
Question posted by TodJay on 27 May 2021
Last updated on 18 November 2024
I find that clonazepam, depending on which brand is prescribed gives me different effects. TEVA/Barr's disintegrating tabs used to be my favorite because they provided more general comfort in regards to panic, and a lot better for depersonalization relief, on the other hand, PAR's ODTs caused me to feel a little nauseous and overwhelmed with how it hit me, almost dirtier feeling and aggressive within about an hour, and short-lived, while TEVA's current tablets seem to sometimes cause chest pains the next day as well as not feeling like they always work with little medicinal benefits, or just not always distinguishable in effects and/or negatives, SUN Pharma's ODT would feel alright except it didn't provide the same level of comfort as the TEVA/Barr ODTs, and caused some dizziness. Now I'm taking Accord, which seems to be less sedating than TEVA or some other brands but provides a more quicker GAD relief than TEVA; SUN and TEVA take hours to feel anything, while PAR and Accord seem to work faster, except Accord is closer to SUN in that it provides a more generalized relief in some ways, but all of them seem to have mixed benefits and negatives; every clonazepam lowkey is almost like taking a different benzodiazepine all together. I'd say Accord's effects are maybe a mix of all of the above without very distinguishable negatives so far. With my experience, I may stick with Accord, since it doesn't cause anything too unfamiliar that would worsen my anxiety and panic attacks, while still taking into account the possible side effects of it being a different brand.
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3 Answers
GS
GSHNC
17 Aug 2023
Old thread but I must chime in. Ive been on Clonazepam for 15 years and TodJay is correct. Every hard pill and every oral disentigrating tablet hits different. Ive been on the ODTs since Teva discontinued manufacturing a few years back. Ive been taking Par ODT which were the best for the last 3 years and I believe the manufacturing and quality control fell apart. Each pill in foil has lot numbers as well as date on the back of each. I can tell huge variances between lots every time I pick up a new precription. My sleep is off and my anxiety is wild. Ive used Sun ODT for about 4 fills because Par was on backorder. The first batch of it was good and the other 3 were totally different just like Par. Today I picked up my first batch of TEVA/Barr ODT so im hoping for the best.
As far as the hard pills TEVA was good and consistent until they discontinued them. Ive tried the rereleased version and its not the same. It helps me sleep but doesnt nothing for focus and anxiety actually is makes me overfocus to the point of paranoia. In the past I was a fine time on Accord .5s hard pill when everyone else was complaining. They were consistent to me but not as good as the ODT pills from Par at that time. The Brand Name Klonopin I tried was expensive and knocked me out but felt lifeless the next day and it felt like it was burning a hole in my stomach. Actavis and Mylan hard pills they use to make caused my anxiety to be even higher. To conclude, the original author (TodJay) was correct. Every manufacturer brand works different and even more variables when you get into to the ODT category. Each lot or refill seems to be different I guess because these are made in foreign countries with no strict quality control going on . I would say when they were made that which I believe they're not at this time (AUG 17 2023) that was the best and most consistent overall. I believe the NEW TEVA and the Klonopin brand name are the only two choices in the hard pill category. The ODTs from PAR are great when you get a good batch and Sun ODTs are terrible overall. Im trying TEVA/Barr tonight so I hope they work well.
Votes: +0
TO
TodJay
17 Aug 2023
Thanks for replying on my old thread!
I find that most formulas aren't that great, and way too many variances in manufacturing just for one active chemical, and each have their ups and downs, and you have to settle with the one with the most tolerable effects overall. Sun ODT were second best to the TEVA (Barr) version for me, but ODTs are more expensive, however, they had a long half life for me, felt relatively clean, and consistent compared to all the chalky, hard to swallow tablets out there; I don't understand why there isn't a convex clonazepam more available out there, and at least being being made by two pharmaceutical companies. TEVA, Accord, Solco, all chalky and rough; I miss my TEVA ODTs, quite a bit, even if they were bulky and had to pay a bit more for them.
PA
Pawest1968
17 Aug 2023
I am having the worst problem and I don't know what to do. I have been on clonazepam for 15n plus years went to see a Nurse Practitioner in April of 2023 and she said due to my age she wanted me to ween off the medication. And it's August 2023 2 weeks after my last dose and I feel so horrible can't even leave the house. What do I do? Please help
GS
GSHNC
18 Aug 2023
@Todjay please tell me they haven't discontinued making Bar/Teva ODT clonazepam and I probably got an old batch. I took my first 3-.05s at bedtime of this brand last and slept great and woke up feeling great. I also feel normal and not drugged up like any of the other clonazepam generics. I also like the taste of these. Are you saying you switched from these to another brand cause of the price? @Pawest1968... you need to see a psychiatrist no matter the cost and tell get back on these if they were working. Just make an appointment and tell them you were doing fine but a nurse took you off them for no reason. Nurses and family drs shouldn't be prescribing you these or taking them away either. I would've raised hll on the spot if some little RN would've told me you needed to get off them. It's not her call to make decisions about mental health. You should have left that day and searched for a psychiatrist.
They can pull up your prescription history and see how long you've been on it discuss it with you and put you back on it. That makes their job easy if they see something was working and once you got taken off the med that your homebound and paranoid. I know the feeling. I was off it completely for about 3 days total after a slow taper and couldn't function. Find the money and do your research for a good psychiatrist and tell him/her your situation.
TO
TodJay
18 Aug 2023
If the expiration is many months ahead, it's probably a recent batch. When I had the Teva ODTs, they don't have very long dates on the printed blister, maybe a year or less, however, I haven't seen them really after Walgreens took over Rite Aid years ago, but I'm not sure how common they are now.
GS
GSHNC
18 Aug 2023
TodJay.. the expiration is 8/2024 and surprising received these from a CVS. I get 90 a month and none of the none of the Walgreens and CVS around me had that many in stock except one 15 miles away. I got there thinking I was going to receive Par brand but ended up getting Teva instead. I've been wanting to try these for the 15 years Ive been taking them but nobody stocked them. They're still listed on Tevas website so I take it they're still available. I was just hoping you wasn't going to say you quit taking them because they quit making them. So what brand are you currently taking and what strength and are you satisfied?
TO
TodJay
18 Aug 2023
That's a good date, which means they seem to still manufacture it. Walgreens switched to par back on 2018 or 2019 for me, I think. None of the tablets work particularly good, at least, not as well as the Teva ODTs did. I wish Par hadn't taken over.
GS
GSHNC
18 Aug 2023
I don't know if Par has taken over. It seems to me that Sun is. Everyplace I go to says on backorder which happens every 6 months or so. So they're either having a demand problem or a problem with quality control. Every batch of Par I get hits different
TO
TodJay
18 Aug 2023
Par made me nauseous, Sun made me a little dizzy and slightly disassociated but felt closer to Teva in terms of just being chill.
NO
nosok12
18 Sep 2023
What are your opinions on the new ODT's that you got. My pharmacy is also having problems getting me my PAR ODT's and am wondering what brand I should try to get as I'm running low on my script. Any advice would help! Thanks.
TO
TodJay
18 Sep 2023
I personally like the TEVA/Barr brand. I'm thinking about switching back to them even though they cost more.
GS
GSHNC
19 Sep 2023
I'm on my second month of 90 .05mgs of Teva/Barr and the CVS I go to carries it so it's still available. One thing I noticed about this months refill with the newer lot# and date is the inconsistency compared to last month. This months seems to be alot stronger than last months. I take 3 at night before bed (1- at 11pm, 1-12:30 and usually 1 at 2 before turning the lights off). With this months refill I can feel each one I take and barely make it to 1am now. I feel unmotivated or overdosed taking 3 of these and ive never had this problem before and that's after taking klonopin at the same dose for 15 years. The last few nights ive only taken 2 at bed and I pass right out but I wake up super early which irritates me so im in a little conumdrum. Do I take 3 and float through the day with zero cares and sleep all night or do I take 2 and wake up 2 hours earlier then usual and feel less groggy.
TO
TodJay
19 Sep 2023
Clonazepam is a heavy/potent molecule, so I can imagine slight variations affecting consistency greatly.
GS
GSHNC
19 Sep 2023
If you are only given a choice between Teva/Barr or Sun I would definitely go with the Teva. For me the Teva works good for sleep and panic attacks but lack the antidepressant like affect that Par had. I like Par the best because it gave me an little high/buzz each time I took it but it also irritated my stomach. With Teva there is no buzz or stomach irritation and leaves you flat almost depressed feeling like nothing matters. I hope this helps, there should be more than 3 manufactures for these.
NO
nosok12
20 Sep 2023
Thank you for everyone's feedback. I'm going to see if they can get the Teva brand as I still haven't gotten a call from them with the PAR order that they got in. If anyone starts getting PAR again please let me know as I hope this is a short term deal as I like this brand.
GS
GSHNC
20 Sep 2023
@nosock12 --The Barr should work well for you and maybe too well so you may need to take less of it than you did with Par. As far as the Par problem ..that has been going on for the last two years so I wouldn't depend on them. I use to chase them from one CVS to another Walgreens and after awhile it got annoying. Try the Barr and let us know what you think.
NO
nosok12
21 Sep 2023
Looks like they are able to get me 48 PAR and 12 Alembic for a total of 60. She said that PAR is on backorder to end of October. Does anyone know anything about this Alembic. She couldn't get the Teva either at either of their wholesalers. They had Sun but I didn't like how that one made me feel when I tried it a few years ago... This is so frustrating...
GS
GSHNC
21 Sep 2023
Why not just transfer your script to CVS as they can definitely order Teva. Call a local CVS and tell them your current situation.
NO
nosok12
21 Sep 2023
I’ll grab this one as I do like the way the PAR makes me feel with the antidepressant like feeling and it’s not super strong that puts me to sleep. I will look into my local CVS the next refill that I get so that I can try the TEVA. I always say if it’s not broke don’t fix it and I’ve had pretty good luck with the PAR 1mg. I use a pill splitter and cut in half to make them last longer too. Thanks for getting back to me with your input!
NO
nosok12
21 Sep 2023
One more thing I take as needed which can be anywhere from 2 times a week to every other day depending on anxiety levels. So it tends to hit harder when I don’t take daily. Love the option of ODT as I don’t like taking in pill form.
TO
TodJay
2 Oct 2023
I had to temporarily switch to Teva from a different pharmacy this month because my local pharmacy is backordered on all of its supply of 0.5mg tabs, and all of the pharmacies around here mostly just carry Teva as the default. Honestly, after not having it for over a year, and then coming back to it again, I don't notice a difference in therapeutic effects from last time; Teva tabs literally just don't really have any noticeable effects on me, especially not like their ODTs, which were the best.
At least the copay was still cheap...
GS
GSHNC
3 Oct 2023
The Teva tablets are useless other than for a substitute for a sleeping pill. Teva was the first Klonopin I was put on 15 years ago and was the gold standard until they discontinued it about two years ago. The new version looks the same but that's where the similarities end. It worthless since they reintroduced it back into the market.
TO
TodJay
3 Oct 2023
Yeah, tbh, feels like a mostly drowsy/lethargic pill, like, I can get a similar effect by eating a Thanksgiving turkey while actually feeling decent afterward.
Teva clonazepam tabs are basically mild sedatives but don't do anything much in the wrong direction necessarily in terms of negative effects. The only good thing is the long half-life compared to the others, and at least the texture is mostly consistent...
Accord tabs are flaky, they either barely work, work very strong but not in a good way, occasionally work alright, make me feel outright sick, or don't work at all, and each tab tastes different or is soggy and crumbles.
GS
GSHNC
3 Oct 2023
There's a major klonopin shortage going on right now with no end in sight. You can find more in the search bar on here for "klonopin shortage". It includes teva,solco and accord. Teva and solco and coming back eventually but no date for Accord. People will have to switch to ODTs now. Clonazepam Oral Tablets Shortage Last Updated: July 28, 2023 Status: Current
I'm done with Accord, so I guess for Teva and Solco, that's good news?
GS
GSHNC
3 Oct 2023
Im interested in Solco as well as Accord in the pill form but for now I guess I have to stick with ODTs until the others come back online. I take it all of these companies get their raw materials from the same manufacturer which is crazy if you think about it. I never had inconsistencies with any of the pills but knew right away if the brand would work. I remember getting the Actavis version from Teva once after Teva acquired Actavis and chose to go with their version instead of their own and that stuff was terrible and actually gave me panic attacks. Also I tried the very expensive Roche brand name and didn't have any luck with it other than terrible stomach pains and sedation/confusion. I never ran into problems with Accord and if I remember correctly Solco as well. The ODTs is where I find huge variations between each refill and lot #s of with Teva/barr, Par and Sun.
TO
TodJay
3 Oct 2023
Is it hard to request brand name, or I'm assuming only certain in insurances cover it?
GS
GSHNC
4 Oct 2023
Insurance won't cover it but you can buy it out of pocket if you ask for the brand name. The local CVS near me stocks the brand name
GS
GSHNC
4 Oct 2023
Insurance won't cover it but you can buy it out of pocket if you ask for the brand name. The local C V S near me stocks the brand name
TO
TodJay
4 Oct 2023
I don't like the TEVA, but I don't think the pharmacy will fill another script this month, even if I request to fill the the brand name Klonopin.
GS
GSHNC
9 Oct 2023
Anyone had a fill recently with Par? Is it back it back in stock? Of course when I call Par they say there's no shortage or backorder so I don't know whether to believe them or the pharmacy. I miss the buzz I get from Par. Teva pills are little more than a sleeping pill and Teva/barr ODTs pretty much blank me almost comatose taking them daily. Par seems to have an antidepressant activity, at least for me.
GS
GSHNC
19 Oct 2023
I scored 50 Pars but it might be the last ones around as there was no number for Pars in their system now. Any news on Alembic or any other clonazepams available other than teva???
TO
TodJay
19 Oct 2023
Latest update from about a week ago is that a lot are still back ordered, with TEVA's mostly left in stock, since they have a huge monopoly on the pharmaceutical market, I guess.
GS
GSHNC
28 Nov 2023
Got one first fill of alembic today against my wishes. I have a few Par left but wasn't expecting to get alembic especially right here at Christmas time when anxiety is the worst. Anyone had any luck with these?
GS
GSHNC
28 Nov 2023
Got one first fill of alembic today against my wishes. I have a few Par left but wasn't expecting to get alembic especially right here at Christmas time when anxiety is the worst. Anyone had any luck with these?
NO
nosok12
14 Dec 2023
GSHNC what is your take with the new brand that they replaced with PAR with. Same effects I have some that I got as well but have been using PAR for years….
GS
GSHNC
16 Dec 2023
@nosok - Alembic comes in last place in the ODT lineup to me. My social anxiety comes right back when I take this stuff. The next night I can take Par and everything is back to normal. Also Alembic is terrible for helping sleep I guess because of the anxiety getting through. There's also no antidepressant effect like Par. It's going to be a rough year to come if this is the only manufacturer out making it. Par is the best followed by Teva/Barr then Alembic. I plan on calling Par and seeing whats going on.
NO
nosok12
18 Dec 2023
Thanks for the feedback. Let us know what you hear about PAR…
GS
GSHNC
27 Jan 2024
For those that are wondering PAR is back in stock again. I picked up my script yesterday at Publix and got a fresh batch that has a Exp Date 2026. Took them last night and back on track now after 2 months of anxiety and avoidance. Thank the lord
TO
TodJay
8 Feb 2024
Has anyone ever found a Klonopin generic that isn't trash yet?
I just received my Solco script after this dosage has been on backorder for a while, and of course, this time it's not as effective, or, it's in fact keeping my mind stimulated, or not doing anything, and I'm not feeling well rested at night like it even had any sedating effect that it usually does to help me sleep when I'm either anxious, or wired from whatever, including constant tossing and turning, stimuli and such; basically it would probably not have made a difference if I didn't take it the same night. On top of that, it feels like it barely has the calming properties it usually does in the day time, that, or it's super subtle now.
Can anyone think of anymore generics to ask for next time, even if I have to switch pharmacies? I don't feel like paying hundreds, or even a large fraction of the cost for Klonopin®️, if I can even get that. If there's any other brand that's reliable, let me know.
GS
GSHNC
8 Feb 2024
Switch to ODT's. There's about 5 different manufacturers which is more than pill form.. Also they work better and faster than pill
TO
TodJay
9 Feb 2024
I only see PAR mostly where I am, not sure who carries others, like Teva or Sun anymore, not sure if I recall there being another 2.
GS
GSHNC
9 Feb 2024
From easiest to find to hardest to find would be Par, Teva, Sun, and Alembic. Par probably works the best outta any pill or odt
TO
TodJay
9 Feb 2024
I did not like Par, Teva I don't know who has it anymore, Sun I was only able to get a few times from different pharmacies. Not sure where Alembic is available.
GS
GSHNC
9 Feb 2024
And you ain't going to know until you ask. Call around to different pharmacies and ask what they carry. Walgreens is bad about saying "we can't give that info over the phone" then you have to do some leg work and physically go into the store and ask. CVS Walgreens and Publix all have the ability to get Teva as I got it from them when Par was on backorder . Call or go in and tell them why you don't like Par and get chum with them. Some will have no problem getting if for you because most people don't take the ODT form. What these places don't like is to order you something special and you take it for a month and transfer it to a different store. Get friendly with the techs and a pharmacy and you'll be amazed what you can get done. It's a lot of effort yes but so is dealing with anxiety. I use call my pharmacy the day before I picked up my script to make sure the had XXXX brand so I could go to a different pharmacy if it was the one I wanted.
BO
BobcatK
9 Feb 2024
You have to call and ask you can't expect people on here to know. Ive got Teva from WG CVS and PLX when Par was on back order. They all have the ability to get it if you befriend the tech or the pharmacist working. If they won't tell you over the phone which is usually the case with WG then go in store and ask.
TO
TodJay
9 Feb 2024
Everyone carries Teva or very here, the others are just backups when Teva isn't in stock. Walgreens carries only PAR over here, so I figure it a monopoly thing, especially after Walgreens bought out my local rite aid location, that's when it changed to PAR years back. I can ask the others, but they're further out locations.
TO
TodJay
9 Feb 2024
Everyone carrying Teva, meaning the tablets.
GS
GSHNC
9 Feb 2024
Meaning disintegrating tablets. But you have to ask for them
GS
GSHNC
9 Feb 2024
Yes
TO
TodJay
10 Feb 2024
I meant the regular tabs being a monopoly, the ODTs are mostly PAR over here. Teva's ODTs used to be common for me several years ago.
GS
GSHNC
10 Feb 2024
You got pill then you have OD tablets
TO
TodJay
10 Feb 2024
I know, I used the ODTs originally before switching to regular hard tablets.
TO
TodJay
18 Nov 2024
Not sure if took some tablets from a more recent script, but since yesterday, the Solcos are either underwhelming, or making feel slightly off, like in a negative way, sudden heart sinking feeling, feel like suddenly passing out/dizzy, or not getting much relief, if at all, like there's no shift to a more calm/sedated state.
BO
BobcatK
18 Nov 2024
I hate variances in pills and OD tablets. I get ODT Pars every month (90) and I can tell a difference every month. I can go back and forth with left over pills from last month and the current month to see if it's just me thinking it or is it reality and the truth is reality. Even among the same manufacturers with the ODTs there's no quality control (most of these are made in poor countries. When I used to take the pills there was huge differences among manufactures..Teva vs Solco, Teva vs Accord but the quality stayed the same of that manufacturer. Teva was my favorite pill because they quit making them 1st time and then I found Accord was just about perfect.The new formula of Teva is terrible and Solco is/was the worst. It's tough especially this time of year with holidays coming up and you get a weak script. That's the worst.
BO
BobcatK
18 Nov 2024
That's a bad feeling around the holidays especially. You may want to call around and find a different brand next month. Solco was always the worst for me. It made my anxiety worse with sleep issues, dizziness and paranoia.
I was also on Teva for about ten years when they stopped making it. I’ve tried all of them, including the new Teva. All I can take now is the name brand and it costs me 188.00 a month. My doctor doesn’t seem to believe me that the generics are different so up-dosing isn’t a choice. I’d really like to start taking a generic again but I don't know which one.
Votes: +1
TO
TodJay
23 June 2021
Didn't know they still made the brand name version, I actually thought it was long discontinued.
HA
Harmony22
23 June 2021
For me, the new Teva 2mg is starting to slowly work. I am going on night 7 of it and off of the Roche. I also take .5mg Teva along with it and in the day. I tried the accord in 2019, but like Todjay stated, they were different in consistency and I felt nothing. I will say that the brand is much stronger so it would be best to transition by .25 to .5mg instead of a direct switch like I did. It has been rough but I am getting adjusted.
HA
Harmony22
23 June 2021
Yes. They still make Roche klonopin.
TO
TodJay
23 June 2021
I had to adjust to Accord, because I was getting weird feelings in my head when it started to kick in within the first few weeks or so whenever I took it. Accord feels less sedating than TEVA when TEVA wanted to work, yet helps me get to sleep better and faster at night during intense anxiety and/or panic episodes than TEVA. Personally, I find that it's better for me to space out dosages within 1-3 hours apart for maximum effect despite the brands. Accord kicks in faster it seems, TEVA in both forms, the tablets and ODT would take 2-4 hours to even notice the full effect, whereas Accord is within 1 hour, I think?
HA
Harmony22
23 June 2021
Teva does not work right away like the Roche and others. It takes longer to get into the system, but I found that it lasted longer than the others. I really have noticed that with the Roche. I started getting panic attacks on that. I never had that on the old Teva and now that I am on the New, I am not getting panic. Everyone is so individual and our bodies will metabolize and react different to the different drugs. I just Pray that they keep the generics that work and not discontinue them again. They are really playing with our live's.
TO
TodJay
23 June 2021
I agree, I also think doctors and pharmacists should stop looking at their patients like they're crazy when they say that different generics have different effects, positive or negative, or give no reaction, like patients are just bluffing.
P.S. I wish I can afford to try Roche.
HA
Harmony22
23 June 2021
It is very strong for me. The half life appears to be much shorter. I have heard others say that. I believe I am a fast metabolizer. Hopefully, these Dr. and Pharmacists will wake up. Just stick with what works best for you. Patience is key.
HA
Harmony22
23 June 2021
It is very strong for me. The half life appears to be much shorter. I have heard others say that. I believe I am a fast metabolizer. Hopefully, these Dr. and Pharmacists will wake up. Just stick with what works best for you. Patience is key.
TO
TodJay
29 June 2021
I remember trying Xanax/alprazolam wafers, it hits so hard that it actually causes a panic attack, and gave me a weird disassociation/off-feeling hours in.
For me, every brand acts different. I am so very sensitive. I had been on Teva generic for 10 years when they discontinued it. I had plenty of old Teva, but went ahead and tried the Roche brand. That way much too strong and it gave me panic, gastritis and feeling very tired. The half life seemed to be much shorter than the old Teva. I went back to my old Teva and did fine. I meant to say that the reason I switched to Teva back 2010, was because the Mylan Brand put me into withdrawals. I was on some other brand that always worked. I had no idea that I was on Mylan.
Also, Teva came out with their supposed old formula in 2019 after many people complained about the discontinuation. I tried the new Teva and it did nothing for me. Last Sept I tried it again, but the same thing. I went on Roche and had the same effects as I had in 2019. I am now going on my 6th night of new Teva and no Roche. It has been pretty bad. I have been in withdrawal, so I have had to updose which helps. I am giving this Teva a fair chance. It takes the brain and body time to adjust. Some folks don't have much of a problem, but a lot do. Hope this helps you to know that you are not alone.
Votes: +1
TO
TodJay
23 June 2021
I'm also very sensitive to medications, especially in regard to my severe anxiety and panic symptoms.
I've heard so many bad things about Mylan, and the new TEVA not being the same quality as it once was after they changed to Actavis. So far, I seemed to have adjusted to Accord okay, but it seems to wear off pretty quick in terms of it ceasing to linger in the body with rebound effects appearing, like within 2-4 days, whereas the TEVA would hold me off for 4-5 days, though realistically, they both last about 6-12 hours, with Accord lasting maybe a little longer, as far as the main duration of the medication. The issue with Accord is the quality control, some pills dissolve so fast and taste weird and starchy, while some are harder and chalky like the other brands. As long as it doesn't affect the quality of the medication, which thankfully seems to be the case, that's all that matters.
I would also like to say, it also seemed like the TEVA tablets did nothing for me on some days, as you've said, and just gave me chest pains from the large chalky pill getting stuck in my esophagus. One thing I notice about Accord is that it seems to help me sleep during anxious nights, whereas the TEVA seemed like a hit or miss, or didn't really do anything. I'll say though, the TEVA disintegrating tabs felt the most natural out of all of the generic brands.
I've also heard people preferring some generics over Roche; I'll stick with Accord for now.