Sandoz Ativan (Page 6)

I switched pharmacies and was given Sandoz Ativan, I have been having a terrible time- it is like it is creating more anxiety. I switched back to my old pharmacy and am counting the days until I get back to the Milan manufacturer. It has been a horrid 2 weeks. Melatonin helps a great deal with sleep. I started off with Milan and had been on that for 2 years with no problems, I wonder if your body resists another generic brand and you have to adjust. All I know if Milan is what I need and I always get the same manufacturers for all my meds since 12 years ago from CVS- they are very consistent. Be very careful if you switch pharmacies, I learned that all generics are NOT THE SAME.

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Hi Mary2, sorry to hear your going through "shades" of anxiety and sleepless night! Did you try calling Target? I called them and they now sell the SANDOZ Sz 198's. I wish I could find out what sort of coating they put on that tablet, but I have no idea who could test it. Perhaps a lab professor at some high school could do it if asked? That would be the cheapest way to find out. If you go to testing labs for medications, that costs oodles of $$$ and that's what we don't have in here! Just barely enough to get our medications. And then it would take weeks to months or years before the results are in. Hey, something came to mind? Wonder if that other MedChat lady in here who said she runs some sort of pharmacy, maybe she might know of a trust worthy lab to check 1 pill of that Sandoz Sz198? Just a thought Mary2. I guess we will never really know till people start dying by the 100's or 1,000's. The pharmaceuticals don't care! We are their lab rats!

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Well I found a pharmacist at my walgreens who went through the hoops it took to get me Sandoz again. Thank goodness. The Watson did nothing. Wish insurance would help with name brand Ativan then we all wouldn't have to keep getting switched to different manufacturers and questionable pills. It's bad enough having an anxiety disorder without being anxious about the quality of the med your taking! I'm quite willing to pay the highest tier copayment too but I guess the insurance companies are in charge, not us....that's a whole other story

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Well, am really glad that someone at WalGreen's went through "hoops" for you, cause no one at the 5 Walgreen's I went to and called did nothing! Am happy for you, but its a matter of time when no one will carry this generic version of R59! R59 was the best anxiety pill I ever had. Been taking it for almost 20 years! Never had an issue with it, not till they sold and resold the product. Now its a joke either way you look at it. I hope one day soon, all of us won't have to take anymore pills to help us feel better. I hope for a world where people who suffer like us for whatever ailment will be a thing of the past! Am not counting on the pharmaceutical companies in providing that relief! They're only in it for profit, not the well being of anyone!

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Your explanation is clear and accurate. But, I have a question. How may I find a web-based pharmacy that carries Sandoz lorazepam. I've been calling pharmacies without much luck. I'm thinking there must be some pharmacy that carries lorazepam made by Sandoz other than the big chains. Thanks

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Hey Joe!

Well, maybe by calling Sandoz might be able to refer you to their distribution center (if they have one and r willing to reveal it). Most of the people in here deal with companies like WalGreen, WalMart and etc. Maybe some hospitals in your area might be another place to check and see if the pharmacist might know, cause a lot of them won't say because they'll lose money big time. The worse answer you can get is a NO or a YES. Am not putting much hope in some private firm that only sells this brand of generic Lorazepam. So far, its now back to Target for me, then one month I'll call for a refill and "OOPS, they no longer carry it." Sad state of affairs! Am sorry I can't be much help in this case, but you do the best you can.

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I too am trying to find a sandoz 0.5 lorazepam. I am in the Detroit area and can't find it anywhere. I have been on watson for a month and feel horrible. No relief from anxiety and major heartburn which I have never had in my life?
Any suggestions?

MB

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I'm sad to hear what we all go through just to get relief from this GAD\panic. I'm going to call Sandoz to see if they are going to continue making the SZ198. I belong to an HMO with their own pharmacy so that's why they order the Sandoz and thanks to my Dr. who makes sure they do. I am wondering, maybe there is a more effective benzo type drug? I know Xanax works well but not sure how safe it is? They make cocktails for other disorders. They used to have me try anti depressants for the panic but I had awful side effects & it didn't help a whole lot. Will let you know after I talk to the Sandoz people and we should file with FDA about the pill coating problem. Hate to think there is garbage in the pills. No one wants to have to take pills but some of us have no other option for now. take care, God Bless

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NO it doesn't work for me. I am with Kaiser and THEY switched companies to Sandoz. My last Rx turned to dust after 30 days. It's good to know I'm not being paranoid.

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Stephanie
don't waste your time with Sandoz, they will say anything and will lie to get you to think the problem is yours, you have to remember this is a company that took a good product like activus lorazapam and totally destroyed it, there bottom like is profit and if 1000's of people are miserable so that they can make an extra Nichol, guess who wins that battle, I really don't like any of the lorazepams that are out there right now but Watson comes closest to what I need to maintain a normal life, I hope you try whats out on the market to see if you can find one that allows you to live your life, if there were any justice in the medical field most of the CEO of these companies would be in jail

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I live in Allentown, Pa and my pharmacy is in Bath, Pa, when I couldn't find a pharmacy that carried Sandoz, they told me..Tell me what you need ,and I will order it for you. God bless them, they are not a chain, and that does make a difference. I have been on Milan, and Watson and neither one was good for me, Only Sandoz.

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If your diabetes is not severe, I suggest Manuka Honey. Make sure it has a white label with pink tiny flowers on it. A lot of people are selling it now and its fake. Mine cost around $50.00 for a 1LB jar. It was recommended (highly) by a chef working here in my state, and he had really bad acid reflux. He took 1/2 teaspoon before he ate a meal - Breakfast (no hot sauce) Lunch (nothing with spicy things) Dinner (no spice on his meals) no acidity drinks (like orange juice straight), no tomato sauce on pizza's, or pasta! He said he took this 1/2 teaspoon before he ate every day for 6 months. The Manuka Honey, help rebuild his stomach lining, and helped with curing his bad bacteria and gave him good bacteria. He said it wasn't easy, but he finally cured himself of taking Nexus, and whatever that other one is for acid reflux. So I had the same thing back in 07. I bought the honey from my health food store. Back then it cost $25.00 for a 1LB jar. I took 1/2 teaspoon for 3 months, and my acid reflux disappeared. Its been a couple of years now, and after 07, in 08, I started (slowly) to eat some mild spicy things. After 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 and currently 2014, other then my anxiety, panic attacks, other pains, my stomach can tolerate steamed crabs! I still keep a 1lb jar available in my pantry (has to be in dry cool place), I keep it because when I have a stomach ache, or the other thing that comes out the other end, I take 1/2 teaspoon of it and ache and watery substance is gone! Also, I do also take 1/2 of a squeezed (fresh) lemon, and add cold water, stir it and drink that too, Lemons are good for the "runs" and other aliments too. Just make sure you don't mix certain medication with the natural things, like grape fruit and some medications don't mix! But you can always depend on Manuka Honey. It is NOT CHEAP, but it works. Perhaps other's in here have tried it and it may or may not have worked for them, but it sure worked for me! As for the Sandoz 198, that coating is the pits. That makes me sick, even after I try to remove the coating, the rest of the pill sucks!

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Pretty soon it won't matter anymore. No matter what sort of panic attack and insomnia meds we take. Hope some read the study from NHS world report on these medications?
This story was on the BBC today:

Anxiety and sleeping pills 'linked to dementia
By Helen Briggs Health editor, BBC News website
Pills The class of drugs known as benzodiazepines is mainly used to treat anxiety or insomnia

England records rise in dementia
'My mum had dementia at 29'

Long-term use of pills for anxiety and sleep problems may be linked to Alzheimer's, research suggests.

A study of older Canadian adults found that past benzodiazepine use for three months or more was linked to an increased risk (up to 51%) of dementia.

NHS guidelines say the drugs should be used for eight to 12 weeks at most.

The French-Canadian team says while the link is not definitive, it is another warning that treatments should not exceed three months.

"Benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," lead researcher, Sophie Billioti de Gage of the University of Bordeaux, France, and colleagues wrote in the BMJ.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link”

Dr Eric Karran Alzheimer's Research UK

"Unwarranted long-term use of these drugs should be considered as a public health concern."

The study involved about 2,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in adults aged over 66 living in Quebec. All had been prescribed benzodiazepines.

They were compared with about 7,000 healthy people of the same age living in the same community.

While an increased risk was found in those on benzodiazepines, the nature of the link was unclear.

Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link.

"One limitation of this study is that benzodiazepines treat symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, which may also be early indicators of Alzheimer's disease."
Long-term use

Prof Guy Goodwin, president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, said the findings "could mean that the drugs cause the disease, but is more likely to mean that the drugs are being given to people who are already ill".

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Some, have been taking these med's for nearly 20 years, I guess my mind won't be in here much longer. The more stress, the more panic. My dad took these med's for over 40 years, He got dementia when he turned 86 years old. He passed on a few years afterwards. Sometime it make me sick how these medicine are compounded and made. So friends, please be careful, keep your senses about you, read more, do crosswords if you can, do word find, and play card games, anything to stimulate our brains!

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said with 1.5 million people in the UK being prescribed benzodiazepines at any one time, "evidence that their long-term use increases the risk of dementia is significant, and raises questions about their use".

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia.

Despite published guidance on their appropriate use for short-term management, inappropriate prescribing of the drugs is still a concern.

Experts are calling for better monitoring of side-effects, particularly in older adults.

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IT SUCKS! I get my Rx's through Kaiser but Kaiser is not the only pharmacy around here. I called around after reading this blog and ALL PHARMACIES WITHIN 20-MILE RADIUS ARE DISTRIBUTING SANDOZ BRAND!!! My doctor accused me of addictive behavior when I told him that this brand is watered down. Of course, the doctors hate "google' and "internet research." EMPR.COM hasn't posted anything negative about ATIVAN but there are drug monographs about SANDOZ recalling more than two drugs. Go to the website and search "Sandoz" and you will see for yourself. I'm going to try the 800# mail order pharmacy to see if they have ANYTHING other than Sandoz. I think the mail order comes from old manufacturers. Safeway carries Sandoz, CVS carries Sandoz, Walgreen's. EVERYBODY around here are carrying Sandoz because they don't care about the consumer. I'll be writing a complaint to the FDA and will find post here if I make a dent in this investigation.

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High; thanks for that info but no need to freak out people who already have anxiety. I think we are all aware of the risks but if you need the help or if it is like the 'missing link' in your brain, not much you can do. Take the lowest dose possible. And if you taper off use the 10% rule. Taper only 10% of the pill at a time and lower every 2 weeks. If you feel bad then go back up 10% until you are stable. The best taper programs take up to a year or more. I have gotten off all other meds( RX & OTC) using this method and have stayed off for over 20 years. I'm seeing a psych in a few weeks about the risks of lorazepam and how I can take as little as possible but still function well.

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Wanted to update a bit. High, you were right about the coating. It burns if left in the mouth too long. That is FFn scary to ponder. What is it? Again, if you haven't already file a complaint with the FDC please do. Also, it is true about the link between dementia, alzheimers and benzos, sleeping pills and other meds. I saw a shrink 7 weeks ago and 6 weeks ago started on a 10% taper program. I am down almost one half mg of lorazepam and will stay at this point for a while. You can take a year even more if you want to taper off. The main thing is to get off these drugs. They will hurt you. I feel fine, memory is already a bit better. Don't do this alone,get support. There are excellent support forums online for tapering. If I am doing this anyone can. I can't stand the dependency and worrying about a refill, it's too much time & work. You won't know what state your brain is in unless you get off the drug or at least get down to a fraction of what you are taking now. The best goal is to have this med. but use it ONLY as needed and that DOES NOT mean daily. This way you won't be just another Ativan addict but you will be in control. If this weren't true I wouldn't be telling you this. I have been on this bleepin drug for longer than I want to admit and I was ready to kick it's butt. You are so much bigger & stronger than this little tiny pill. take care

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Steph,

i can agree with one part of your response and that people should report the flaws in this medication to the FDA, they're slow to begin with so not reporting is not doing anyone any favors, as for getting off the medication all together, i have no intention of doing that, i have been on i mg for years, and its the only med that allows me to live a normal life, i also take blood pressure medication, if the b/pressure med was addictive i still would take it, let me explain my thinking, so might agree some might not but i have no doubt that i am coming through life only once, i never asked for my anxiety problem nor do i want it but non the less i have it, by stopping lorazepam puts me back where i was 15 years ago and that is something i will never do, each medication on the market has some negative effect whether it be the kidneys liver you name it, my whole issue is that i am going to live my life as normal as others who don't deal with anxiety issues, these products like lorazepam serve to do people like me a lot of good its unfortunate that the medication companies have no conscience when it comes to profits and the people who suffer are those that take this medication.

i think everyone needs to ask the question of what price does one willing to pay to have some what of a normal life, the word addictive doesn't bother me in the least, look around you. studies are showing that people are getting addicted to their computers, whens the last time you didn't see a teenager texting or talking on their i-phone, take a close look around you and ask the question, can you go through life without an addiction of any sort, and if any of you are a constant starbucks buyer, are you going to stop going to starbucks? no the problem is not with the side effects, at least for me but with the scums who are allowed to peddle their medication with no regard for how peoples lives are changed when they try and cut corners and make a few dollars at the expense of their customers, hope this doesn't get anyone upset but the side effects of lorazepam are not an issue as the side effects of my blood pressure medication is, both products are effective in what they are intended to do, its unfortunate that medication companies can't keep their hands off the formulas and allow those of use to move on in our lives, its really sad for me to read how so many peoples lives are changed when they can no longer get the medication that they need as a result of penny pinching by irresponsible companies who put the dollar over the well being 0f the people they claim they are helping

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Joe;
I totally understand what you're saying. My plan isn't to be off the drug entirely, although that could happen in time. It's to be on a much lower safer dose, then to take only when really needed. All I can do is try. Dementia is nothing to fool around with. I always knew this drug messed with your memory but now they are coming out with the scary truth. One mg. a day is probably a pretty safe dose. I realized this drug was making me anxious at times too. I have ptsd so I may always need some med help. We disagree on something else. I know this life isn't all there is, I am Christian. A lot of our healing will come from prayer. BTW, the shrink told me I could use 'penta gabin'..?? pretty sure I mis spelled that. He said it's not addictive but helps with anxiety. Don't think I would try it. I've had lots of people tell me they use Benadryl for the same thing. take care

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Hi! I have been on lorazepam for over 30 years do to meniere disease! i have never seen such a mess with brands that just dont work, before 2013 there were no problems, and i have had a mess trying to get something that does , what i can tell you is the sandoz 1 mg- sz198 does seem to do a pretty well job now i'm on 2mg -sz199 and i am having problems i dont know why that would be! i have had watson which is pure garbage i have tried clanasapen also garbage and on that stuff i had every side effect there was , if anyone finds a brand out there that actually works please post, i try and check the ndc # we need new post for 2015 everything i read is out of date, i wish you all the best.

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I have been on ativan for about 3 years now, before that I was on xanax for 10 years, But when I switched doctor's he told me he doesn't like xanax and will not give it to me I said fine whatever, Maybe change is good, so he then prescribed Ativan which has been ok for me made by actavis for 3years, then today I go pick up my script not made by the same manufacturer it from Sandoz OMG!! I have had a terrible day with this, withdrawal symptoms nausea, sweating like a pig, aches and pains, I called my pharmacy the tech was so understanding he said if I didn't feel better by tomorrow to call him and he would order the brand that I normally use?? Am I doing the right thing or should I give it sometime, I really don't don't think it's gonna help. Anybody have any advise?

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I take it for sleeplessness, and found the Sandoz brand to work so much better for me than Mylan, previously

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