Klonopin Brand Name (Top voted first)

I've been unable to find Klonopin (brand name) at any pharmacy. Although I've taken this medication for several years, this is the first time I've been unable to find it. I've been told the manufacturer (Roche) has it on backorder. Some say it's no longer available. I cannot take the generic as I get a serious migraine. Does anyone have any suggestions where I might get a Rx filled?

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REPORT

I contacted the FDA and filled out a form, Please anyone else that has noticed the change in the medication (not controlling symptoms as well), please do the same, so we have the medication working as before, we are still having to pay the high prices for the Brand Klonopin and we should be getting what we pay for!

Here is the link: fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

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In December 2013, Roche closed their manufacturing plant in the USA. Genentech ("part of the Roche family of companies") was supposed to start producing. Genentech only began supplying in October 2014 so there were months without brand klonopin available.

Sadly, the "new" "brand" klonopin that is distributed by Genentech is made in Mexico. For a while, the 0.5mg tablets were made in Switzerland. I talked to a pharmacist and now all 3 strengths are made in Mexico (0.5mg, 1.0mg, and 2.0mg).

I have nothing against Mexico but noticed immediately that the 1.0mg tablets that Genentech distributes are not as good at calming my mind as the 2013-Roche 1.0mg tablets were.

For a while, Roche/Genentech continued to produce the 0.5mg tablets in Switzerland. I believe Roche/Genentech used these 0.5mg tablets to gain FDA approval. Now they have moved all to Mexico and are doing something WRONG - either in their starting ingredients, their synthesis or their additives.

They work better than the generics which depressed me and left me anxious. But the Genentech product leaves me anxious. For example, I have trouble sleeping; my doctor suggested taking twice as much Genentech klonopin which I tried. It had no more effect than the previous dose.

I have heard that the FDA only tests 1 dose of a new drug so I suspect Genentech got approval with the Roche-proper-made 0.5mg tablets and that NONE of their products would now pass FDA approval.

My body can tell the difference. There are also slight changes to text on the tablets so you can tell the difference...if you still have any of the original Roche-made pills.

No other tranquilizers work for me and I am very disappointed in the apparent lack of quality in the Genentech-distributed klonopin tablets. :(

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Hi, I to take the name brand Klonopin, I call Roche today the manufacturer of Klonopin & was told the it is on hold but should be back on the market in Oct. here is the phone # I called if you would like to call. I think the more of us that call they will get this problem resolved quicker 800-821-8590 when I wanted to speak to one of there pharmacist I was on hold over 20 minutes so I gave up. But the recording told about the Klonopin and then I spoke to a live person. Hope this helps.

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i also have not been getting the results i use to get with brand name Klonopin, i have been on this medication for 25 years and something has changed. it does not work as well and i cannot go to sleep either. i called Roche and complained, they took my information, but i was told there was no change in the drug. i disagree, not working the same for me. my anxiety and panic attacks are not being controlled as in the past!

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Thank you for your posting!!! I've felt the same way since day 1 I started taking the Genentech 1mg klonopin. I too cannot take the generics at all but this is not the normal, real klonopin. I wanted to write to the FDA. I wonder if doctors could help us fight this.
Reading what people have said previously, Genentech originally had the 0.5mg tablets made in Switzerland (sounds like Roche-proper), and has been making the 1mg and 2mg tablets in Mexico with ingredients from China. I think the FDA only evaluates 1 dosage of a drug before saying it's ok, so I think they evaluated the old Roche-brand-real stuff. Then I tried to get some 0.5mgs tablets only to find that they have now moved all production to Mexico. Thank you again for your note. I think a lot more people are sensitive to the change in this medicine than they thought there would be. Thank you!

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Interesting you mention not sleeping as well with the new 'brand' klonopin. I too have been waking at 3am and anxious. Even when my doctor said to increase the dose (from 1mg, to 2mg) at night, I still wake at 3am. Very disapointing. Though I see for some people the new-brand works well enough. Wish it did for me too!

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Someone called the new brand-klonopin "klonopin-lite" and that's what it feels like to me. So many things could have affected our response to it - what I'm aware of that could change it from original:
- quality/purity of starting materials (chemicals)
- the synthetic pathway (though ending in the same product at the end, you may add or remove varying degrees of impurities)
- how it is handled during delivery -- is it not kept at the right temperature? That could affect the medication.

I see that some people do not notice the difference between the original and lite versions of klonopin. I've been taking it for over 10 years and I do notice differences:
- I do not sleep as well now, even using more of the same medicine
- I am anxious whereas the original would calm my mind as well as slightly sedate me
- I have to take ativan with klonopin now to sleep -- some doctors will not prescribe concurrent tranquilizers but my doctor has known me for 15 years so understands what I go through.

I want the FDA to retest Genentech's version of the medication now that it is making all of 3 strengths in Mexico. I have nothing against Mexico but it is a change. And it was only after Genentech got FDA approval that they moved the 0.5mg tablet manufacturing to mexico.
Argh, I wish I were less sensitive to the slight change in how they make this medication. To write to the FDA (if the new klonopin doesn't work the same way for you), here's the link someone else was kind enough to post:

fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

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Hello, Bonita! How are you?

Yes, there seems to a shortage due to a recent sale of the manufacturer, but I can't find anything for sure on when it will be resolved.

If you can't take the generic, then the best thing to do may be to speak with your doctor and try an alternative in the meantime, such as Xanax.

This medication carries the risk of being habit forming and could cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache and irritability.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

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I contacted company as I also am unable to take generic Klonopin as it gives me a horrible headache. The company told me possibly be back in production in September. My doctor did give me Xanax to help till get Klonopin Brand back.

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It was encouraging to learn that others are caught in the Klonopin shortage. I'm trying to take generic Xanax and am having very weird symptoms... dizziness, nausea, etc. I'll be in contact with the prescribing doctor today to see if I can get brand name.
Thanks to all for the feedback!

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I had a call back from Roche which makes Klonopin. He told me they are hoping to start manufacturing again in October. After reading about everyone having to go to generic like me and experiencing headaches really helped me a lot . I have been having headaches now for about 2 months and they have been getting worse turning into Migraines so I have had to go to ER twice in less than a month for shots to try to stop the painful headaches but I still get them. So after researching time on this generic Klonopin it is making sense now that it is the generic flaring up these headaches. Be so glad when name brand comes back.

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Thanks. I'll be picking up Rx for Xanax tomorrow. Hope it doesn't have too many side effects.

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My doctor will not prescribe brand name for Atavan or Xanax, and I can't take generics which he prescribed earlier. Have been to the ER and treated for anxiety, low potassium, etc. I've decided to try to continue the withdrawal from the benzodiazipides (sp) as I just recently read a research report about the link to alzheimers. Perhaps it could be the issue or the component of Klonopin that's been reviewed by the FDA. I asked the person at Genentech whom I spoke with if they were using something from China. She said she had no information about that. I think I'll suffer thru this and take melatonin at night. Have a few Ambien remaining but not sure I'll take them all.

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Klonopin® Tablets

0.5 mg (NDC 0004-0068-01)

1.0 mg (NDC 0004-0058-01)

2.0 mg (NDC 0004-0098-01)

Genentech/Roche

Customer Number: 1 (877) GENENTECH (436-3683)

Klonopin is temporarily unavailable from Roche. Roche is projecting to resume supply of Klonopin tablets in October 2014. Generic clonazepam products are available on the market and there are no shortage issues.

I copied this straight from the FDA website on Drug Shortage where you type in the drug Klonopin and this is what I found.

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this shortage is a blatent disregard for customer safety.the mfgr of klonopin seems to have zero concern for the stoppage of klonopin distribution. they stopped the mfgr of klonopin without so much as a peep to even the prescribing doctors leaving millions at risk for serious effects of sudden stoppage.

i contacted roche and they tell me that a reformulation was a necessary fda requirement but i think its politically motivated by insurance companies and healthcare providers to shake lose the people taking it without the real need with no regard to the people that have a real need for this medicine and since roche seems to have little fear of a legal suit for its unexplained unindicated stoppage the government must be backing the stoppage. roche is also very evasive as to its production date and seems to have little regard for even its own warnings that sudden stoppage of taking this medication can cause serious side effects and in some cases cause stroke or even death. more to follow.....

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I agree that the brand Klonopin that's been available since October 2015 does NOT affect me the way the original Klonopin did. I don't sleep as deeply as before and I wake up around 3:00 a.m. Then I have trouble going back to sleep. During the day, I feel as if I haven't had enough sleep and my brain definitely can tell the difference. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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I have been on Klon for about 10 years..having been through the generic world of klonoopin for over 6 years(not a fun ride) and upon advice from Dr switched to namebrand..much smoother. I do think it maybe had less sedative effects than generic teva..but lasted much longer as I was able to decrease my dosage easily with good nutrition...and then had to switch back to generic teva..which I noticed the lil euphoria effect but did not last as long..........Went back to name brand klon about a week ago. Not the same medication..not sure why. Maybe they have made it less potent...some big conspiracy....to get people off off the benzos...joking aside. NOT the same med for me and it actually creates lots of anxiety and depression...I suspect nothing will be done about it as the public has a view about benzos as being bad news....the stigma. Not the same med......maybe my Teva works better while not perfect...metabolizes too quickly. The new clonaz....not strong at all..its if I didnt take it...

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I called the last of July and was told they should have it back on the market to actually get it to distributors and have it filled October. I said that would mean it would have to be in production in September. She just told me that it has to do with regulatory control on one of the inactive ingredients. That if they don't follow though with testing on it, they wouldn't be able to manufacture it at all but assured me they had no plan to discontinue it. It's just a matter of time and it'll be back. I just pray it's back before I run out as it's the only thing that helps me and the generic doesn't work.

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I called the Number too and I would suggest anyone who needs brand name Klon's to call!! They keep saying October but can't be certain but something about a regulatory problem; I said you would think there would be a public announcement. If we can get as many people as possible to call, they'll know we mean business!

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I called in July, twice in August, 9-5-14, and today 9-17-14. I talked to a pharmacist the last 3 times, they always say the same thing about the regulatory issue. Today I asked if it was in production yet. She said no. I then said, nicely, well it would have to be in production now for it to be available the first week of October wouldn't it? She said she did not know. I asked what the lag time from production starting to getting it to the pharmacies was and she said she did not know. I tried to get more information, asked if there was anyone that could tell me when production would start, or when the testing would be completed, and she said no. It seems to me that they would have to start production soon in order for it to be available in October? Everyone that needs it should call and maybe someone else can get more information than I have been able to get.

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