Best Generic Alprazolam (xanax) (Top voted first)

I have been getting the 2mg Greenstones the last few years and they work much better than the Actavis. Now i read that greenstones were changed back in early 2014. Is it people that take these to feel high or people who really need them for anxiety and nothing else? Regardless if they have been changed they're still much better Actavis and I have heard mixed results on Sandoz. Dava seems to be crap. Took it once (looks to be from Endo who bought out Qualitest). Any opinions on the current state of the generic xanax manufactures? And lastly, no insurance company will give me the name brand. It's generic or nothing.

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Well just my 2 cents here but i'm sure i'm not the only who who has encountered this.. i've been on xanax since 1985 and i don't really need much to get me thru the day.. i usually take .5mg at a time and i used the brand name till the generic came out (I don't even recall exactly when that was now) and everything was fine up until this year.. may of 2016.. I had no idea there were that many different makers of generic xanax.. the pharmacy i used to get it at closed so i went to cvs and no lie the generic they sold me smelled like glue inside the bottle... but i took it anyway and i noticed right away that it made me feel like i've never felt before... and it wasn't good or anything close to what xanax is supposed to do ...so i told them and they just acted like ehh.. so what.. so i figured just bite the bullet and take em.. about a week in I was actually starting to get sick and i knew it was the pills... so i called cvs again and they said to bring the pills in and they would switch them... and they did... and gave me the same pills right back... which of course still don't work... so i went to another pharmacy and got something different and that brand was davi... this was a completely different looking pill from the ones i got at cvs... cvs had sandoz which were blue and oval shaped... the davi pills somewhat worked... but not like it should have... i asked the pharmacist and she said its hard to get a handle on a lot of the generics now because most of them are no longer made here... and that's mostly in the last year or so... so to say there's no difference and they should all work the same sounds right.. but in fact ..its not right... i'm not even sure who i can talk to about this... all i can do is tell you that there is definitely a difference... and that wasn't so 3 years ago... or even 2 years ago... at least not in my experience... with the internet being what it is today you'd think there would be a way to find out what really does work and what doesn't, but i don't see that and wish i could find someplace that was current (within the last year anyway) about which manufacturer is really as close to what xanax used to be. Thanks a bunch.

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well its more than just a bit different eddy .. this newer stuff was makin me downright ill .. the drug store i go to now gave me the davi brand generic xanax and they sort of work .. but not very well .. and i told them so .. so i asked if they had another generic / they said no but they could order it for me .. so i asked for greenstone because that seemed to be what everyone was sayin worked well .. i got only 15 just to try them .. and while they don't make me ill like the sandoz i got from cvs .. they don't work as well as the davi which weren't that good at all .. so i spoke to my dr.'s office and they're gonna prescribe me the name brand next time .. and then we'll see if its just me thats changed .. or if its really the medication .. i know how i feel tho .. and no matter what anyone says ( and this is just lately mind you now ) but these generics are not the same as the name brand .. they're not even the same as the generics they used to be . i'm no chemist so i can't say .. and i don't have any of the older stuff left anymore to compare them to .. but somethin has definitely been changed .. who knows what ?? maybe they're tryin to use up some of that old chinese drywall they had to take back ?? but its different .. and not for the better ..

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I believe you girlinflorida. i've finally settled on the greenstones and they don't make me sick, but they don't work as well as the ones i got a couple of years or so ago.. i spoke to the pharmacist and she told me everything has changed in the last couple of years. even she doesn't know where a lot of the stuff she sells is made. but she did order the greenstones for me, special, which is something that cvs would not do. and she didn't make a fuss about it either. she told me they cost about the same so it was no problem. when i brought the pills i got at cvs back and told them to smell them. they actually smelled like glue. i mean like old glue. and they said ok and then switched them for more of the exact same thing. now hows that for service?? imagine going to a restaurant and tellin them the milk in your coffee was sour so they bring you another cup made with the same sour milk... sorry that's the only milk we have. but trust me on this.. its not you.. if i was to have this same conversation say 4 years ago i'd be sayin the same thing that eddy guy is sayin.. that it's weird ..or all in our heads.. but you know how you feel.. so don't be afraid to speak up and ask for somethin different.. if they won't listen then go to another drugstore till you find a pharmacist that will.. and cvs is probably not the best place to go. they have no power or authority there to do anything themselves. it all comes from someplace else.. none of the people there are decision makers. i hope you find something that works better for you.. and if you do please post it here ok ?? but don't give up.

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Re: joanie (# 16)

Hi joanie! First off, I respect your opinion. I have been taking alprazolam for 17 years. The brand that I have been taking is sandoz. I believe these to be the best of all the generics. I switched pharmacies 2 months ago and was given the Actavis brand. I believed that I was going to die. The Actavis does not work for me at all. Although I have a relative that takes Actavis and they seem to work fine for him. I have read about Actavis on many forums and no one seems to have anything good to say about them. In fact I have read that their fillers/binders that they use actually Causes anxiety. What a World aye. Every doctor will most likely tell us that there is no difference at all. That's what their BOOK tells them to say. I think all of our brains are wired a bit differently. I had to take the Actavis for a whole month and a half. I was in bed for almost that whole time. My Doctor did not believe me, so I fired him. Found another doctor who understood the Problem. Good luck to you.

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Thank you for this, today's journey is just that calling pharmacies feeling like a weirdo asking for Xanax that works. Truly this creates more anxiety feelings just thinking of it, and yes I agree a few years ago you probably could have told me all generics work the same. :( so screwed. I stopped filling my prescriptions at cvs as well. Publix has always been good and treated me with courtesy but they sadly will have the Dava alprazolam for sometime but having spoken to a younger pharmacist there he did document my complaint and was going to watch for further complaints. If I said this at cvs the manager would be rude and tell me "I can't help you" (we know this can't help you comments are not leaving patients with a happy I want to help you feeling but can't) cvs must train their pharmacies staff to be jaded and treat patients poorly.

What stinks is there IS a mom pops pharmacy five minutes from me that does have good generics and does take my insurance HOWEVER they won't fill any schedule 2 or higher medication unless it's accompanied by a non narcotic drug like "Motrin" or "antibiotics"

:( so unless I get a prescription for something I don't need every month I can't use the pharmacy

:(

Thank you for writing me back, makes me feel not so shallow and alone today :)

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It's frustrating that Big Pharm reformulates these meds without ever acknowledging it. The Greenstone XR we're actually better than Brand Xanax a few years ago but that's all changed. Greenstone are ok now but so many retailers have moved to cheap, crappy, India made Aurobindo. They suck. I have tried Sandoz, Dava (really crap), Auro (are they real?), Brand and Greenstone. I'd go back to the reformulated Greenstone in a NY minute but it's all Aurobindo! The almighty dollar wins- and regrettable we, the patients get inferior meds..

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Re: Joan (# 19)

Hi Joan! I'm not sure if there is One with less fillers but They do use Different fillers/binders. I'm just starting to research this. There is One thing everyone should know. According to the FDA a Generic medication does Not have to be the Same as the Brand Name. As a matter of fact the FDA gives Generic manufacurers a 20% leeway-meaning a one milligram tablet only has to have 80% of the Originals formula. So I'm guessing that Every generic is only 80% as strong as the Name Brand. THANKS FDA!!! This could be one reason that the Name Brand is Always better and Always more expensive. By the way , this rule applys to ALL generic medications- Not just Xanax/alprazolam. Good to know. Have a Great day!

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Ok this is hard because benzo generics differ like CRAZY! It has taken a lot of time and money but I have tried almost every generic on all main benzos and have finally gained a great knowledge and opinion of alprazolam generics..and clonazepam and diazepam, etc.

The greenstone has been changed back to the original formulation as of 2016-17 year and finally circulated back in making them they best to brand name which is near impossible to get unless you want to pay thousands of dollars. On clonazepam par pharma (qualitest) are the best..when it comes to diazepam the (activas/watson) or best teva sucks for both. Now my opinion alprazolam in preferred order of trying all generics except the bocas which I hear are same as greenstone. It isn't in your head each generic is way different and here is how in preferred order for 2mg xanax (generic and brand)

#1- pfizer/brand name "x a n a x - 2"
#1 (tied)- greenstone - thank goodness they went back to pfizer formulation - "g3722" - greenstones may not work as quickly as activas or others but it is the best generic to get and takes effect within like 20 mins and then last the longest and has best feeling for anxiety etc and is the best generic, slow to come on but are strong and long lasting.

#2- dava-the green - "S 3 0 9"s are good generics...but they are the type of alprazolam that just taste great and bitter and dissolve well but just make you sleepy...they calm you and next thing you know your just asleep..better for GAD.

#3- actavis - "R 0 3 9" are great as well but they are really strong and take effect quickly and end quick (better for those real fast come on panic attacks, but they fade quickly and are a little more addictive than all others. That being said i still enjoy them but would always get greenstone over them.

#4. Sandoz (novartis)- "gg249" - used to be the best but since last year these ones have ruined the market with presses and honestly I like my meds made here in the USA. Anyways, they are good when legit, but again these type just make you slow and sleepy like dava greens but stronger on anxiety properties.

#5 sun pharma - "1 1" - imprinted pill. These are expensive yet cheap. I've heard both really bad and really good things about them but have not tried them.

Aurobindo is novartis. Apos are Canadian and are actually 2mg xr bars (I prefer instant release so not an bion pharma fan..they are great but they are xr not ir)

-honorable mentions- boca pharma circle 2mgs , new xr that have come out such as sandoz and actavis ER line..i stay with greenstone on all XR. But the new ones look well, USR, ONAX, R666 (PRESSED RISKY).

ONES TO NEVER GET: Mylan, sun pharma, etc.

When it comes to the end the Greenstone are the best all around but it is also nice to have a yellow and green on hand as well. But always get Greenstone over any other unless you can get the bocas. I've heard great things and would love feedback but GREENSTONE is the best US made generic and is equal to brand name, which brand name is near impossible to get anymore. Hope this helps. Have any other questions I'm happy to help.

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Me too Eddy, sorry but they ARE making me sick, yes they may have a percentage of the active ingredient but I've been prescribed these twelve years and have never had such a bad experience with a generic drug.

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Re: joanie (# 12)

Joanie, I am so sorry you are having a hard time finding the qualitest alprazolam..it is quite simple..par pharma bought out qualitest this year of 2017. Find any mom and pop pharmacy and ask them to order in the Par Pharma manufacturer and you will get your qualitest pills like before. To anyone who wants anything qualitest it is now owned and going to need to be ordered by a willing pharmacy and under Par Pharma manufacturer and you will get those qualitest ones with the V. I am an alprazolam connoisseur..and have tried almost every brand out there except for some of these out of country ones. My 2 cents:

#1- Pfizer (Roche)-best for any benzo

#1.5- Hearsay I hear the Boca made alprazolam are just as good as the brand pfizer and / greenstone which has been changed back to it regular formula of 2014 this year in 2017

#2- Greenstone-perfect balance of smooth yet hard hitting and lasting long

#3- Actavis- hard hitting quick to end can cause more anxiety imo

#4- Dava - in same wholesale as greenstone but very different- very sluggish alprazolam feel..more of a sleeper than anything

#5- Sandoz - used to be the best a few years back..Novartis an India company now owns them and this formulation has changed sleepers as well and not nearly as great as old 2014 Sandoz formulation.- I stay away a waste of money imo

#6- Apotex- apo is ok..they are from Canada and are actually extended release..you get a 2mg apotex bar and you are getting extended 2mg..just how apotex and Canada do it and make them..extended which is good but I prefer an xanax xr if I need extended not an app 2mg bar.

Notable/Hear Say of some of the other better brands- vocals I hear are the best but hard to find and confused with the only other circle 2mg xanax..mylan which is horrible..i have no idea how mylan makes so much quarterly..they don't even make my list: boca (close to brand) qualitest (I hear they're really good, now owned by par pharma just ask your pharmacist to order you in the Par Pharma made one and you will get them qualitest bars with the V and their new formulation. Stay away from sandoz the benzo market has been ruined by them.

If you cant afford brand name get greenstone, Boca, or par pharma..I hear sun pharma is good. I haven't tried it but if Wal-Mart dispenses it i'm sure it is poor quality as they order the cheapest product they can..you honestly get what you pay for. After my search and test of years of which is best and not paying 600 for brand, greenstone will always remain my choice unless I can get some Boca made one's or par pharma/qualitest ..i have also heard that qualitest isn't good but I think they are a great pharma company..stay away from allergan companies like sandoz, actavis, novartis, santos & teva (teva sucks everyone open your eyes) but everyone's body is different and will have different likes and preferences but my experience and it has been a long one. Hope this helps. As I said I'm a benzo connoisseur so if you need help or have any question just ask & I will help gladly. Sandoz/novartis an India company just came out with new xr/er versions..I'll stick to American made though.

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I agree with what you say and there could be a difference from time to time with strength and yes a lot of Xanax might come from foreign lands. You can still request and pay for the name brand drug. CVS orders the cheapest pill available, so does every other pharmacy to make the most money. If they know it is a questionable brand they won't continue to order from that supplier. The FDA would be the agency to contact to address your concern and you could always pay a lab to analyze the contents. They might not do this for a consumer of a controlled medicine as it would require you shipping Federally Scheduled medicine using a common carrier and across State lines.

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Re: EDDY (# 30)

No need to b me rude this is a post to help people and who are you to judge. I habe many talents thanks for asking. No one said it was a good thing..think what you say before saying it and realizing what people may have gone through that you haven't. Go me bleed and peace ain't got time for drama or noise only positive here

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Re: EDDY (# 1)

Weird?

Do some research. The fillers actually matter.

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Hi girlinflorida, i'm in florida too. i'm in the fort myers area, so if you're close to there i can tell you the name of the pharmacy i go to. I really do understand what you're goin thru. anxiety is a real b**** to live with. kinda like being chained to an 800 pound gorilla.. and then somebody comes along and kicks the gorilla. let me know ok.

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Re: Goozer (# 27)

You mentioned Novartis when referring to Sandoz. Novartis is based out of Switzerland not India. Sandoz continues to make one of, if not the best, generic alprazolam available. In my opinion at least. We're all different.

I also differ with your opinion of Dava (which is now owned by Endo). I find them to be right up there with Sandoz and Greenstone, albeit they may be a little more sedating as you mentioned. Their anxiolytic efficacy is good though.

Also since Greenstone basically is Pfizer why pay more for name brand?

My top three (generics) are:
1. Sandoz (all dosage increments great but especially 2mg gg249 bars)
2. Greenstone (all good but Sandoz bars are better imo)
3. Dava (.5 yellow s901 footballs seem just as strong as 1mg green s902 footballs, green s903 bars are great)

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Re: frenchy (# 4)

I thought it was just me. I’ve been getting the worst alprazolam out there. I used to get decent quality from Optum RX but I can’t use them anymore. CVS, Walgreens and Walmart have the worst. I can’t imagine my drug plan letting me have the brand

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I have been going through this crap for so long on how these generic xanax are all the same. Have you ever tried Wal-mart and wonder why they are so cheap? For the most part xanax was the only drug I have been on even in the days of non-generic. Some of our best friends worked (now retired) with these companies. They would tell us to make sure to get non-generic, which you can not do these days. Each company have many different fillers and crap in our drugs today it is sad. I have been asked if xanax did anything for me because they never felt anything. We then seen the difference in the pills. Theirs were round and mind peach and oval. When they went to the same pharmacy and received the same ones they were shocked. You can not tell your doctor or any pharmacy that your drug is different, believe me you will only get the same answer. I had trouble with a stomach pill it was not working any more so I told this small town pharmacist about it and he told me to come in and he gave me eight of the regular ones and it was a shock, he then asked me to call him to see how they worked. When I told him he said generic drugs have a lot of filler and a smaller amount of the drug. So through all these years of taking away our real meds yes we have much proof that generic are generic for a reason. It would be like selling you this big beautiful new house for just like the one they sold to your rich friend for 1/4 the price. COMMON SENSE. They play us for fools. Unless you do have a lot of money forget it. BUT PLEASE NEVER STOP FIGHTING AND FIGHT HARD, JUST BECAUSE WE ARE AVERAGE PEOPLE THEY WILL ALWAYS GIVE YOU A LINE OF CRAP. I know the inside of these drug companies most are junk. A lot of people today never knew what real medicine was and that is why we are sicker longer.

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Re: frenchy (# 4)

No.. Generics aren't the same.. You think anyone in health profession gets generic. NoTHEY DON'T.

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Re: Hamster (# 13)

I have gotten 2 scripts of aurobindo alprazolam XR. They are definitely different and do not work. Looks like we are all in the same boat.

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Goozer (# 38) -

Go in peace sorry my darn auto text I hate it lol

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