Watson Vs. Mylan Generic Lorazepam Side Effects. (Page 19) (Top voted first)

Been on Sandoz mfr. lorazepam for 10 years; no problems; no need to increase dose. Sandoz stopped mfr. Now, can only get these generic's & Actavis. Having lots of troubles getting results; either nothing or zonked. Anyone else w/any experience which mfr. is closer to Sandoz (since FDA approves up to 2% differences in generics). Thank you.

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Twig7 (# 347) --

I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here, and if I hadn’t spoken with a Mylan rep yesterday myself I wouldn’t have believed it either. Just 4 weeks ago from the last email they called me back on, I was told the release on the backorder would be after May 21, now I hear they have enough to fill one more batch and they are discontinuing and my pharmacist shows that in the computer he uses to order. Just to be safe I’m doing what she advised and call back every couple weeks to see when they’ll release it and have my pharmacy do a direct order. Good luck to you all.

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Re: Savannah (# 353)

I'm going to say this right outta the gate. My apologies to you for asking a personal question about who was writing your script for the amount you're on. By no means was I trying to upset you asking the questions I did. I didn't think it would offend you. You've been very candid about pretty much everything else on here that's why I asked.

As for researching what therapeutic dose that can be taken daily of Ativan (lorazepam) I'm fully aware of the amount. I've read the PDR many times not only for my benefit but to docs that have ridiculed me for being on what I'm on. My questioning was more in the line that you seem to have an empathetic doctor and pharmacist willing to write you a script 6mgs a day. And the truth is that's not outta the norm for extreme anxiety disorders. But you will find many docs that will look at you "like really" I've been there done that. You're truly fortunate.

As for the discontinuation of Mylan. I have a close friend that works in the Pharmaceutical marketing area. I haven't talked to him in years. I posted the question to him whether Mylan was discontinuing their lorazepam and he just got back to me. And to my shock he confirmed that they are in fact no longer going to make it. I asked him why and he said it's not lucrative for them anymore to produce it. It had nothing to do with them not having the ingredients to make it they just weren't making money. So I called Mylan up and asked them why you would tell folks that it's on backorder 3 weeks ago and do a 180° and counter dict it today. The individual was not very polite. I realize that this person must have been answering a lot of questions for days on this matter. But it still didn't make it right being rude.

So you were right that it's no longer going to be made. With that said please don't feel I'm back peddling here. Who would you believe the company marketing the product or someone on this board. If you were honest to yourself I think you'd say the company. We all were duped plain and simple. Even our pharmacist feed us a line to a certain degree.

Summing things up. I have no problem saying I'm sorry if I've offended another person whether it's in person or in chat. As I said earlier it wasn't my intentions to upset you. Honestly I was beginning to believe that some of the posts on here were and are the same person. That's what made me come across the way I did. And I truly believe there's like 6 names that are all the same person.

Again I'm glad you were able to get the so called brand name Ativan. I hope that eases the grief you were going through. As for some of us we will have to find a plan B. My provider will-not pay for this brand name Ativan at a price gouged cost. And honestly I don't blame them.

Best of luck to you.

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Re: Twig7 (# 354)

I decided to call Mylan just now to see what they tell me about backorder vs discontinuation. I was transferred to a woman named Desiree who deals with product availability. Honestly she didn't offer much of any useful info. She confirmed all sizes of lorazepam tablet (0.5, 1, 2) are showing as backorder and don't have eta dates. I pressed her if this means it's discontinued and she wouldn't commit an answer (she apparently didn't know). I have no reason to disbelieve Twig's friend in the industry that says Mylan axed it. I also just called my CVS and the pharmacist checked and found she is unable to get any sizes of Mylan lorazepam.

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Re: Henry (# 357)

My pharmacist told me it's no longer available and is discontinued. My spouse called three chain pharmacies and they said it's discontinued. I'm just perplexed. I think that Mylan should just plain and simple post it on their website. It would save alot of phone calls and stress on not only them but us as well. I'm not sure what plan I'm going to take as of now. I'm thinking going back to Valeant's generic. But I don't even know if it's being made either. I was told by a large chain pharmacy they had it. Three weeks later they tell me they don't have it at all and never did have it ane that they only carry Watson and Actavis. Major Pharmaceuticals is Leading brand so that's out as well. Wish you the best Henry.

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Deedee you don't hafta use your email to post to these threads. That's only if you want to know if you post has been posted. You can use an anonymous name post your comment then come back and checked the boards. All I know is Mylan most certainly made some of us look like fools. I put my faith and trust in their replies to those personal phone calls I made. I stood up for them out here and yeah. I'm glad that things have worked out for you. As for me I will bounce back and figure this out. Have a good one.

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Re: Twig7 (# 354)

Some additional thoughts on your friend in pharmaceutical marketing saying Mylan's lorazepam cancellation is because it isn't lucrative. It makes a lot of sense, I took a look at what my insurance and I (blue cross) pay CVS total for the generic lorazepam and it's only $0.048 per tablet. That's what CVS gets, how about the generic manufacturers and then factor their total costs? The average monthly script cost for most people is probably less than $3.00. Competition drove the price so cheap that it's not a lucrative medication anymore and we're left with the crap that doesn't work correctly (Actavis). On the flip side is Valeant that owns the rights to brand Ativan and makes a good product but they charge $28.00 per tab.

I guess ill have to start researching here if any of the Xanax generics are considered decent. I took a look at webmd and see the brand cost is about $500-600/month. Obviously I don't want to spend $6000/yr on anxiety medication but if im not doing well on ativan or xanax generics, $6000/yr for brand xanax is better than $60,000/yr for brand Ativan. JFC what a nightmare.

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Re: Twig7 (# 354)

I have to say I wasn’t offended at all. I just have a serious anxiety disorder. I fell and hit my head at the age of 7 & went into convolutions. I was raped and left for dead in the woods at the age of 10. I do not feel sorry for myself. I live my life to the fullest and I did not allow what happened to me to change who I am. It does not define me. I also had a tubular pregnancy in 1992 and it can change your brain chemicals, which it did :(. That’s when the panic started. I am on Ativan because it’s the only thing that allows me to function well and drive etc: I do not want to feel doped up.

As far as mylan goes, I was very upset over them stopping and I do not believe it’s their fault. What happens is other companies make things cheaper and the pharmacy’s get bids to contract with a brand. Who ever comes in low they get. It’s a shame. Out of all the generics I have taken mylan was the very best! I feel for all of us! My Doctors have said I will have to be on it the rest of my life. It really sucks! I would rather not be but I can not have quality of life and take care of my family if I am not functional. Anxiety is very hard to live with with out the correct meds. The leading brand made me so sick. I remember when I was first put on the lorazepam I took it for a couple of weeks and then went off. I ended up in the ER and they told me I had to take my medication. I did not like that answer of course. In 2010 I went through a very bad episode of anxiety my meds were no longer working. That is when I went on an anti depressant. That truly helped me from the panic episodes. At the time I was having heart palpitations 24/7. The only way to calm me was to up my lorazepam. So yes, I’m taking more then some people but not as much as others. Many people take 8 mg a day. Some take 4 mg at bed time ! That would prob make me go into a coma!

I have lowered my dose since put on Ativan an it goes to show that the real stuff actually works better than the generics! Just so everyone knows I am one person using the same Email. I have only wanted to help and I am just as disappointed as every one else was with mylan stopping the manufacture of lorazepam! It’s something that worked well for many and it’s said that companies get driven out money wise for a cheaper less effective med.
Thanks all!

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Re: Twig7 (# 359)

Evidently the medchat administrators looked at my last post before they approved and if they match up multiple names under the same account they immediately shut them down, so that should make you feel better, that the “friends” we’ve made on this link truly care about one another. I would’ve never known not to take the Activis brand, and then just recently found out how Watson may look like the old Watson, but is made by Sandoz now and doesn’t work either. This site has really helped me know which to refuse and which ones to give a try if I’m backed in a corner and can’t get the 0.5 from Mylan next month. Have a good one??

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Re: Twig7 (# 354)

Hello again, I replied yesterday but I do not see it posted. I have had many traumatic things happen at a younger age and a tubular pregnancy that changed my brain chemicals. I was on the same dose for many many years... then if stopped working for me. I had to go up on it and add an anti depressant that helps with panic. Valeant is charging me as a Ativan price. Are they the owners of Ativan brand? The meds are thousands! I have caremark and I do not know who you have but if the generic doesn’t work then your insurance should cover it. They have a form your dr can fill out so that they need to pay for the brand name. I hope everyone gets this figured out it’s very stressful I know.

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Re: Deedee (# 363)

Deedee, Have a good one is a slang we use in my state. (As in take care) As for Mylan the only beef I have is that they could have informed the general public on their website that they were going to discontinue it.

There was no need to tell one person one thing and another something else. Like everyone else here I use lorazepam to control my extreme panic disorder.

I was trying to be positive for the other readers out here because my Intel from Mylan was it's just on backorder. When I started seeing numerous names I've never seen before saying they aren't making it- it put me in a panic. Some of the posts really looked like the same person. I was like ok.

This site is very valuable to many of us. I don't come here a lot but when I do like you I get the 411 on who's having troubles with one and who's not. My doc is anti-benzodiazepine. I can't even tell any of you how tough it's been dealing with that. I've been on every drug available here in the states with no luck. Being I'm retired military I can't pick and choose who I see. And I don't have other insurance. Even if I did the majority of doctors do not like to prescribe benzodiazepines.

For the time being I am taken a breather on what my next move will be. I have a bit of time to figure this out. I really wish you the best.

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Re: Henry (# 365)

Don't know if you've ever used Klonopin? My son takes it and it works really well for him. It's longer-lasting but it's not fast acting like Ativan is (i.e. lorazepam). Xanax took care of my panic problems, it was fast acting but had a short half-life. Gave me terrible headaches at the base of my neck and skull. Tranxene didn't do anything for me. Librium same thing.

I've taken Sandoz, Watson, Actavis, Ranbaxy, Purepac all of which didn't work. Cause worsening panic and inability to sleep along with a host of other side effects.

My understanding is and I could be wrong Purepac markets Watson and Actavis. Leading is made by Major Pharmaceuticals. I've seen a host of other companies making lorazepam but I don't know if they're available. My pharmacist hasn't been any of help. The military pharmacies buy whatever is cost-efficient for them. They do that with all their medicine. The price is Vets pay for serving. ;(

If I hear if anything I will post it out here for you all. As my grandmother used to say, "This too shall pass".

Forgot there's always trying to find a compound pharmacy that will make the medication for you tailored to your chemistry in your body. Something I'm thinking about looking into. The only problem with that is getting the military to pay for it.

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Re: Savannah (# 362)

You've been through a lot. I'm glad that you've been able to work through your experiences. I like you have extreme anxiety problems. I don't know if you've ever heard of free floating anxiety but that's what I'm diagnosed with. It's like being plugged into-220 watts all day.

I also have drug-resistant depression. The options that I have to take care of that are not something I care to do which is ECT. There are many other options but the military and the Veterans Administration don't want to pay for them.

My questioning about the amount you take wasn't as I told you before trying to be nosey. It is as I expressed in another post my experiences with benzodiazepines have not been good. When I was on 4 mg of the brand name Ativan made by Wyeth as I posted in another thread I was on that mount for numerous years without any drug increases or drug tolerances. As I stated once I got on generics my life fell apart. I've only had two doctors in my years of taking lorazepam that had absolutely no trouble with me being on the doses I've been on. When ssri's and snri's became available I was forced to take them and ended up with serotonin syndrome. This is with my current doc.

Anyrate I'm glad you were able to get your insurance company to pay for brand-name. Disclaimer to whoever reads this as I've been saying I still won't believe there's an actual brand name Ativan until I've tried it. Don't take that personal it's just me. The reason why I say that is Valeant makes the BPI generic and their so-called brand name. Again Savannah do not take what I said personal has nothing to do with you. I just don't believe they're making a brand name and if they are I don't believe it's the same formula. But I could be wrong. The important thing is that is working for you.

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Re: Henry (# 361)

Henry, yes, do you have caremark? Cvs? That’s who I have and my dr filled out paperwork and told them I had to have brand only. He told them how the leading brand made me sick with the fillers and not helping me at all. Valeant is the brand I have that’s the actual Ativan name. My rx is 66,000 a year. I think to the pharmacy it’s cheaper. I am a write off for them I’m sure. Unless they get it for way cheaper. I do not know how that works. I know that people on medi-cal can get Ativan through Ativan. If you go to Valeant's website you can fill out paperwork to see if they will approve you for a discount or free rx. Just thought I would let you know.

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Re: Henry (# 365)

To follow up on my post #365. I just spoke to Sandoz and then my CVS pharmacist. Sandoz confirmed they are manufacturing it and have stock on hand. CVS are going to try to order the Sandoz 1mg lorazepam for me. She said on her computer the order looked fine, but I would get a call tomorrow letting me know if there was a problem or if received.

The behemoth company Teva Pharmaceuticals bought Actavis and Actavis bought Watson, so everything under that umbrella is junk. I have never tried Sandoz generic lorazepam but doing some research on the web and this site it seems the responses are mixed. Some say it works great for them, others had problems, so im not sure what to expect. I will post a follow-up when I (hopefully) receive it.

[1] Sandoz Lorazepam 1mg. Has Anyone Tried The New Version??

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It is absurd, annoying ambulance chasing, greed and nothing else motivated case. This is utter BS. These losers go after products many of us need. I do not abuse benzodiazepines, and have successfully done so for panic attacks and anxiety. What is so fun about amnesia? So many people live and die in pain because of this avaricious, opportunistic bulls***. There are people who turn to the street and suffer greatly while they slave away at demonizing our medicine. Ativan is quick acting and great for panic attacks. The horrendous shrinks I've seen prescribe far less benzodiazepines and offer Ibuprofen for gunshot wounds around here in DRUG WAR USA.

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Re: Henry (# 372)

Hi Henry, Can you tell me is this a new formula of Sandoz and what does the pill look like? I've seen someone talk about GreenStone. Don't think I ever heard of it. I looked on their website but they don't seem to make lorazepam.

I don't have much luck talking to big chain pharmacies. My experience has always been with the big chains they only get what they have and won't special-order or anything.

My local pharmacy doesn't seem to want to help me find a brand that will work other than Mylan. They carry Leading and as I spoke about it - it doesn't work.

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Re: Sunset (# 373)

Thank you ! I agree with you ! They say generics are the same but that’s so very untrue . It amazes me I can take 1 whole pill less then for all the years I have been on lorezepam and feel better then I did on all the garbage we get . It’s very unfair for all of us who have anxiety problems . It’s not fun and we should not have to suffer ! Thank you for your feedback ! Recommendation . I also made a complaint with the fda . The more people who do the more we paint a clear picture for them .

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Re: Savannah (# 377)

I wanted to ad with the Watson before they changed it it helped. I did have a tight tension feeling from it in my jaw. I use to think I was having anxiety but I have talked with many people who said they had the same prob. I also took Ranbaxy and it helped me well until they took that off the market.

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Re: Savannah (# 377)

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around the price. I used to get 120 1mg brand name Wyeth for like $30.00 for a months supply. Don't quote me on that price but I know it wasn't that much.

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Re: Henry (# 372)

Ugh again. So I just talked to my CVS pharmacist again. As I wrote last I called them Thursday and they were going to try and order the Sandoz lorazepam. Prior to that call I spoke with Sandoz who informed me they are still making it and said she saw stock on hand at Sandoz's facility. However, my call just now to CVS I was informed they have been unable to get it so far. It should have arrived Friday but didn't and again not today. On another thread on medschat people were talking about having issues getting it as warehouses were "waiting for shipment". So that may be the issue with me, and it still might come it. Unfortunately I have no idea if it'll work as i've never had the Sandoz lorazepam and the feedback i've read is mixed. CVS told me the only ones for sure they can get are Teva (Watson/Actavis garbage) or Leading Pharm (garbage).

I have a bit of stock of medicine so I have some time to see what happens. It's not looking good though. I might be at my doctor soon talking about switching to a different medication after 12 years doing well with Ativan.

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