Northstar Generic Clonazepam

Hi all, just a few days ago I got a refill for my Clonazepam. The manufacturer has been changed, the pills are produced by Northstar. For the life of me I can't remember what the previous manufacturer was, I will ask my pharmacy.

Anyway, I feel like I'm having withdrawal symptoms ever since I take the new generic. Nothing serious, but irritating. I'm only taking 0.5 mg in the morning and 1 mg in the evening. After taking the one in the morning, for the rest of the day I feel like I've forgotten to take it (which happens sometimes). Irritable, dry mouth, jumpy.

In the evening I notice a difference too, but not as much, because I take the 1 mg right before I go to bed and I am taking an OTC sleep pill (actually gummies, brand is Olly) as well. It's takes longer to fall asleep though and sometimes I have to get up at night and take another, different OTC pill to be able to sleep.

Have any of you noticed a difference as well with Northstar Clonazepam?

TiA

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REPORT

Why is there such a big difference in the non-scored 2 mg? My pharmacy changed my pills from the scored, to the no-scored and I hate it. I was just getting a handle back on my life and this non-score version is different. I felt it right away, the scored type seems the same shape size color, but no-scored are messing with a fairly stable life free from panic.

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My daughter takes a diff medication, but she too was given pills made in India, and felt so horrible. Her initial meds were made in the US. Through much research, she found many others who had a bad reaction to non-usa made pills. Your company of North Star is US owned, but the pills are also made in an overseas pharm. She now gets her meds from Cipla, pills made in NY, not India. Ask your pharmacy for US-made only, or call other pharmacies until you find US-made products.

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Is this an across the board change? Is CVS effected?

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The psychiatrist tried to tell me Wellbrutin's generic was exactly the same, but my son who was on it at the time had a terrible reaction to the generic. I called the Pharmacy and they told me that there absolutely can be a reaction. Generics are not, and I repeat not exactly the same as the original. Everyone just wants to save money. I called his psychiatrist immediately and demanded the change. He was fine after switching back.

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Sherry (# 3) --

Let's clarify this issue. The active drug is exactly the same. The various other agents they use to bind and deliver the drug may be completely different. You could have a reaction to one of these agents, but the amounts are usually minimal so not very common. Usually, generics are just fine, but if there is an issue, feel free to address it with the pharmacy (they may not go with a different manufacturer just for you) or have your doctor insist on Brand.

Dr. Tim Sams

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Sherry (# 3) --

Doesn't make a difference what is different. I know what I saw and how he felt. I trust pharmacists way more than psychiatrists anyway. They are more up on these things. His reaction was horrible. I rest my case, period. And yes, the insurance paid for him to go off the generic and back on to the original. It was immediate. When it comes to certain drugs, generics should not be given to certain individuals.

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Generics are way different from the brand. I take alprazolam now and the only one that works is Greenstone. I used to take oxazepam from Teva. Then the discontinued it. I tried Activis (they put SLS in as a filler!!!) and Sandoz (covered in shellac if you believe it and I swear it's all filler). Both did NOTHING.

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Re: Queen Victoria (# 3)

There's a good chance that it's not across the board. Pharmacies change their suppliers all the time, just ask them.

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Re: TIM (# 5)

Sherry,

No argument here. I'm agreeing with you, but your psychiatrist was speaking about the active medicine only. In the future, you can address the issue of other filler chemicals in the pills and your doctors will have to respect that. Take Care

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Re: TIM (# 5)

I hear time and again that sometimes generics contain a smaller amount of the active drug. It makes sense to me in my case, because what I felt were withdrawal symptoms. It's better now, because my psychiatrist switched me from Cymbalta to Lexapro, which helps a lot with anxiety.

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I believe I noticed an article on the web that read, there are, or is a company in the United States that allows recipes of pharmaceuticals that came in from abroad to be analyzed and then reformulated/composed and produced with the same name as the medicine that came from overseas. Check and research mate.

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If you are in a western country such as America or the UK then by law if a tablet is labelled 1mg (which is a tiny dose) then it has to have that amount off active ingredient in it. It’s more than likely that this is a psychological issue off change rather than biological.

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Just to let you know that generics can legally add/ or reduce the active ingredient by 20%. The inactive products can be altered as well, but aren't sure the percentage that can be altered. This is usually why certain generics act differently than what you may have been taking. I was shocked at the percentage that the manufacturing of generics can have such a wide range of effectiveness. I always thought generics where basically the same, but with small differences. I feel 20% more or 20% less of the active ingredient is too much. Either way the patient who gets 20% less won't get the relief and the patient who gets a generic with 20% more might get a dose that is too strong. I hear this all the time when people get a generic changed and the new one isn't as effective or is too strong and they can't function as well. Just wanted to let folks know a small aspect on the generic scene and that there ARE big differences between drug manufacturing. Good luck and take care!!!!!

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I've been using 1 mg clonazapam that were small yellow tablets. The pharmacy gave me some blue odd shaped ones, no brand name on them. I too felt like I was going through withdrawals. I asked and was told the other manufacturer had stopped making the yellow ones. I got my dr to call and I got name brand now. I think I will start asking for name brand on all my meds.

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Re: Sherry (# 6)

They are totally different fields and both are critical in helping people with prescription medication. You can't have one without the other. Just saying......

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Jenn (# 11) --
I did some research and to my surprise found out that you are absolutely correct about the 20% plus or minus. This is only one way that generic is managed by the FDA much less strictly than brand. This should be a consideration in discussions with your doctors. Live and Learn. Interesting.

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Just came across this post while searching for others who’ve also had issues with Northstar’s generic. I’m prescribed 0.5 mg, take it at bedtime/as needed. Six years and no problems with Teva or Mylar. Two weeks ago I transferred my script to a new pharmacy and got Northstar. Didn’t think much of it until this past week, when I began to feel...off. Couldn’t put my finger on it on first, but two days ago (after symptoms had worsened) it finally dawned on me...I was experiencing benzo withdrawals! I’ve gone through them before, so it all made sense (including the fact that my symptoms didn’t start kicking in for about a week). Pharmacy says it’s the only brand they carry and they can’t/won’t order from another manufacturer. And because I just transferred it there, I can’t transfer the remaining refills back to my previous pharmacy (or any pharmacy). Now they need my doctor to call in a brand new prescription...and so the waiting game begins.

This whole situation has really angered me. I submitted a complaint form to the FDA, but as other’s have pointed out, they tend to stick to their “all generics are the same” mantra. But the pharmacy’s complete indifference is the most upsetting. Guess they cut a pretty sweet deal with Northstar :-<

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I just star ten North Star today .
Not impressed so Far are the y a good compañía?

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Re: Re barb (# 18)

Teva for severas years then accord Now North Star all have different effects on me is anyone happy with their generic?

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Re: TIM (# 16)

This also applies to generic percocet. All I know is the small rounded tabs dont work like the large thicker round ones.

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I have been taking Northstar for awhile now and they worked great . A few months ago my pharmacist said they stopped making them. My Dr put me on Actavis which was ok but did not work near as good as Northstar. Then switched 3 more times to accord ( I would rather take nothing they are the worst) Solco & Teva. I still was anxious and moody so he prescribed the brand name Klonopin and I am so pleased with how well they do the job I'm a totally different person . Don't understand why they keep discontinuing the few good generic brands that were out there . Sandoz was a great one too ..all the generic out now are garbage at least for me

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Re: Rev barbara (# 19)

I could not take any of the generics
Just teva. I am now taking mylan and they seem to be working well for me. Have to use a diffirent pharmacy for that prescription. CVS does not have it
It is a pain to have to use 2 pharmacies and take 6 different buses to get it. Can't afford to have it delivered

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Yes! This is terrible. Can we hold them accountable for giving us a drug that puts someone into withdrawals?

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Teva was bought out by ativious not made in America Accord Heal THC based in North Carolina comes from another country India

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Teva sold to Accord Heal THC. All generic are bad. Report it to the FDA and they'll have to reformulate.

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