Zolpidem Generic (Page 3)

ALL CVS pharmacies just changed the zolpidem from MYLAN manufacturer (out of PA) to TORRENT in India. Because generics can certain behave differently, I am nervous about taking the (10 mg) oblong peach Torrent brand one after reading some things online. I also don't like the idea of CVS using from out of the country manufacturer which HAS to be due to a better price because MYLAN brand is still very readily available. Any comments?

REPLY

REPORT

Read this story:

This company was the one that the Forbes article was about. This generic manufacturer was making generic Ambien and Lipitor along with about 80 other generics. The FDA is now going to stop them from importing, but only after 10 years of knowing they were selling pills with no active ingredients.

Ranbaxy will need new markets as FDA closes window on U.S., analysts predict. Flies in lab, diagnostic measures lead to ban on key API plant

January 27, 2014 | By Eric Palmer

What is a generic drugmaker going to do when the FDA finds flies filling its analytics laboratory and shuts down a yet another plant key to serving the U.S. market? Start looking for other markets. That is what analysts say India's generics leader Ranbaxy Laboratories is faced with now that it has only one FDA-approved facility to work with and its critical API plant is banned from supplying it.
"The Ranbaxy management has a lot of groundwork to do to regain its market share in the U.S. But now, with the U.S. in the backdrop, till it puts back things into place, the company may opt for a more aggressive strategy for other markets," Praful Bohra, a senior analyst for Nirmal Bang, told Business Standard.

It has been focusing on markets like Japan, where its parent Daiichi Sankyo is based, along with places like Australia and Malaysia. The drugmaker also is looking to build its domestic marketshare. But it takes times to build those markets, and even its domestic sales are less than half of what it does in the U.S. Ranbaxy derived about 40% of its $2.3 billion in sales in 2012 from the U.S., while India and Sri Lanka combined made up 17.6%, the newspaper said. One source told Business Standard that Ranbaxy is not even keeping pace with market growth in India.

The FDA earlier cut three Ranbaxy drug manufacturing plants off from shipping to the U.S. because of quality lapses, leaving it with just its Ohm Laboratories plant in New Jersey still able to serve its largest market. Then, last week, the agency put the export kibosh on its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility in Toansa, a plant that produced more than two-thirds of the APIs the drugmaker used for U.S. products.

The troubles have prevented the generic drugmaker from launching an exclusive generic of Novartis' ($NVS) blockbuster blood pressure medicine Diovan, although it reportedly has asked the FDA to allow it to make it at its U.S. plant and is looking to buy the API from another company. Toansa would also have produced the API for a launch of a generic of AstraZeneca's ($AZN) stomach drug Nexium when it goes off patent this spring, according to a report on moneycontrol.com.

But Toansa now joins three other Ranbaxy Indian plants in the doghouse. The FDA made 8 observations during an inspection earlier this month that led to last week's import alert for the Toansa plant, according to a Form 483 inspection report the FDA posted publicly on Monday. Inspectors said workers at the plant had been re-analyzing products that failed analytics until it could get the results it needed, overwriting old results in its database. The FDA said it had warned the drugmaker more than a year ago that it needed controls on computerized diagnostic equipment to keep unauthorized workers from deleting data, but the company had failed to take steps to fix that as well.

As for the "disrepair" inspectors noted: A refrigerator where samples were stored was dripping water, leaving a pool beneath it, and storage cabinets where important documents were stored were broken and didn't close. As for sanitation, windows in the quality control analytics lab were broken and could not be closed, allowing in flies "Too Numerous To Count."

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I have been calling around after having bad experience with Teva generic of ambien, apparently Costco has Milan available. I guess I will try that unless I can find a pharmacy with Qualitest or Sandoz.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I take the same and I also get those same ones. The first time I took the new I could tell a big difference , I personally think this new one is more potent,don’t know how but just works better for me than the previous generic ambien

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

During the Spring of 2011, I literally took my normal prescribed dosage of Zolpidem before bed (as I have done for almost 10 years due to a home invasion incident at the age of 19 that left me with horrible nightmares) and woke up in a police car.

My physician, Dr. Jerold J. Kreisman MD, testified on my behalf during my criminal case as the State of MO wanted to pursue jail time and an excessive fine. His testimony along with the police report, convinced the prosecuting attorney to charge me with a lesser crime that was not a felony (Careless and Imprudent driving). It became apparent that I was NOT intoxicated by alcohol and possibly sustained a concussion while suffering from sleep driving after taking Zolpidem…as I was in a car accident.
SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY CONSULTING

Luckily no one was permanently injured. I have had to attend multiple SATOP classes as my administrative punishment by the DMV and now a new MO law states I have to get an Interlock device installed on my vehicle for the next 6 months. As you can see, I am still suffering the consequences of what happened. Getting laid off from my high level government job has been the worst as I can no longer apply for anything similar due to my tarnished driving record. To this very day, I have absolutely no recollection of getting into my vehicle and hitting another car. The official police report was the only way that I was able to comprehend the timeframe and results of my actions.

See my NEW non-profit website if you would like more details: ambien-awareness.com

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Mylan brand zolphidem is available at kmart pharmacies. If anyone is looking for that brand and it's quite cheap in cost without insurance.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I've been taking ambien for several years through a mail order. Recently filled my prescription from my CVS. Began taking this new generic (Qualitest) 3 days ago, and haven't slept since.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Recently I was prescribed the 5mg Zolpidem & had it filled at my local military pharmacy. No problem; they were the Mylan brand and I knew those worked. When it was time for my refill, the line at the pharmacy on post was WAY to long so I went to CVS. Yup, you guessed it, those oblong, orange/red pills that don't do DIDDLY with the added effect of me being allergic to the coating. I did have to jump through hell & high water to get the Military Treatment Facility to fill my script since it was just filled 3 days prior, but they got it done. Lesson learned. Where generics are concerned, I can ONLY take the generic Zolpidem from Mylan. Be proactive, call different pharmacies,etc. My pharmacist today said that places like CVS, WalMart, WalGreens CAN order what you want & get it there in ONE day, they are just choosing not to. Be proactive!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

My cvs has changed to Teva manf as opposed to the previous oblong pink tablet. These new round white pills absolutely do not work !

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Wow, I am so glad I came across this website. I realize that this is an old post and all, but I've been made out to be crazy!! As soon as CVS switched I noticed the difference. I just thought that it was me, and that maybe I just built a tolerance to them. I sadly ended up using more than what was prescribed to me, and shorting myself on pills for the month. The worst part? No one believed me that these pills were not working!!!!!! Then a few weeks ago, while on vaca with the family I borrowed my fathers white pills, and they PUT ME ON MY ARSE!!!! I then had to replace the pills I borrowed from and gave him the peach ones. He suffered the same thing using them. Needless to say CVS has lost my business and Rite-Aid gained a new customer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I actually have used the Torrent generic of Ambien for years and it worked great for me. My pharmacy just switched to a brand of Ambien from Northstar and it does not work for me at all! It is a white tablet that is football shaped. I am having trouble finding anyone that still carries the peach one from Torrent.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What country or countries does mylan use to make generic ambien? Where do the raw materials come from? I was switched from another generic to mylan's generic--awake most of the night and if I did get a "few" hours sleep I felt drugged. That never happened with the other generic or the ambien. Does this fda give a darn about the safety of the generics they approve of? Frankly, I don't trust third world countries products with regard to medicines
i ingest! Heaven only knows what types of pollutants are in these third world generics.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi. Do u have a Ralph's pharmacy? They have the qualitest (best for me so far) mylan Costco is junk. I called Costco. They said they can always order the preferred brand, they just need notice from patient. Then they metro your preferences in your file.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was taking zolpidem 10mg from qualites then rite aid switched me to torrent i get 30 of them instead of 14 of the other but they are no were near as effective as the qiualitest brand. also i could buy the other 16 qualitest for ten dollars. I just wanted to rant to someone else about my disappointment.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey there, I had the same issue with Rite Aid. A lot of the stores did switch over to Torrent lately from Qualitest. I noticed this almost immediately though upon pick up and refused to accept it and they ordered me Qualitest, so Rite Aid can get it for you but you may have to jump some loops. Dealing with Ambien generics has been a living hell for me. First of all generic Ambiens are just bad news up and down the line. None of them are as potent or even really the same as the Sanofi brand. I was willing to take a slight financial hit and I was paying Tier 3 insurance (the highest tier with the highest copay) just to get the brand but then my dumbas insurance removed brand Ambien from even the highest tier. Its now a plan benefit EXCLUSION. Which means I cant get brand period unless I want to pay 500 a month and I aint Bill Gates LOL So over trial and error I found Qualitesf Zolpidem is at the very least COMPETENT. Those Indian brands are garbage. Torrent gives me intense nightmares, panics, and makes me sleepwalk every night. Those white circular ones (Teva I think) are so weak they do nothing. Qualitest is quite good. Nothing dramatic, but it kinda works. Anyway yeah, Rite Aid can still get you Qualitest if you ask specifically and nicely heh. Oh and Ive now written a formal letter to Sanofi encouraging them to reintroduce an Authorized Generic for Ambien back into the market. They used to contract out to Prasco to make one but stopped for some unknown stupid reason Im sure.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I started taking generic Ambien over 12 years ago. It has always worked fine and has either been Mylan or Torrent Pharmaceuticals. I just received my first batch from Teva and it does absolutely nothing. I took one, waited 30 minutes then took another, waited 30 minutes, the took another and waited 30 minutes and finally took the fourth one. I finally fell asleep after this, but only slept about 3 hours. I have asked my carrier to make sure that I am sent only Mylan or Torrent. No Teva, =.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Glad I'm not the only one who realized Teva does NOTHING and is completely weak in comparison. You and I aren't the only ones either, google Teva Ambien not working and look at the results. I can't be the only one shocked at the abysmal state of generic Zolpidems. I've taken many prescriptions, but Ambien stands alone as having the crappiest generics, most of which just dont the same thing in the same way as the sanofi brand name. I don't know if this one is really particularly sensitive to fillers or what but damn. They all suck just some suck less.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

last month is got the zolpidem 10mg and for the first tie it was the peach oblong pill instead of the white ones... i thought it was just me and that it couldnt have not worked at all, so i went to rite aid again this month and again the same peach ones. last night i stared at the ceiling laying in bed until 9am awake!!!! horrible i called them at the pharmacy and explained and said its not just me, im read about other people having the same problem as me and that it does nothing... it is horrible! because the ambien is the only ONLY thing that makes me sleep... so im on the hunt now to call up every single pharmacy and ask them is they do the generic in white or peach, someone has to have them somewhere, if not im going to see if my dr will prescribe me 60 of the 5mg and see if that changes the manufacturer, because my friend gets the 5mg for herself and gave me one to see if that worked and it did... so its totally the manufacturer, this new manufacturer blows and does not work. i suggest before putting the rx call other pharmacies explain the situation and ask which ones they carry.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Danielle the peach ones you got at Rite Aid are the infamous Torrent which we all hate. The white ones Rite Aid gave you before (and which they can still get) are Qualitest. I also specifically ONLY get Qualitest for the reasons you mention. Anyway, you dont need any special doctors instructions to request a different generic brand from Rite Aid. Just call them up and tell them you want Qualitest instead of Torrent and they will order them for you. I just did that very thing at Rite Aid this week. Now I dont think theyll take back your current months prescription and swap it out once youve started using it, but from next month on, just request it a few days before your refill so theyll have it ready.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

DO NOT TAKE THE ONE FROM TORRENT thats from india. what i went through for days, i thought i was damn near poisoned. everyone is different but i felt so sick, that i was like let me google it and see if theres anyone else that had the same problem. and here we all are! i just got an override today for the zolpidem. what i did was call different pharmacies and just ask them the generic pharm. company that makes the mg of the zolpidem that you take. if they say torrent, DO NOT get it filled. this is my opinion, but for anyone that has severe insomnia, if theres a chance this could happen to you, avoid it like the plague. i hope this helps!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

hey, thank you for the info! i have been going to the same rite aid and know everyone on a first name basis and they for whatever reason wouldnt/couldnt or just dont order outside of what they have currently. so i had to call pharmacies and ask which generic co brand they used until i found one that had qualitest. i went back to the dr and explained what had happened with me getting sick from the ones from torrent, she was very sympathetic and understanding, i had the bottle with the pills i plucked out of the garbage in case she wanted the torrent ambiens back, she didnt even ask or want them. i went into the pharmacy, the new one with the new rx for it again, the guy called for an override because of a reaction to the previous ones, it went through. they didnt even ask for the old bottle or pills back and i got them filled today and will have a good night sleep for the first time in quite some time! thank you for your feedback, i knew i couldnt be the only one that had this experience... if i could give sick a level on how i felt after taking a torrent brand one, id say it was about an 11!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Zolpidem 10 mg what color is the pill green MZ 2 ## Hello, Alexis! How are you? This tablet is manufactured by Mylan Pha...

6 REPLIES

For many years Qualitest has furnished an excellent generic version of Ambien 10 mg. I have tried various other manufact...

21 REPLIES

I've been takin zolpidem E 79 for a while n works great. But my local pharmer filled my script wit the purple round ...

60 REPLIES

I have taken Zolpidem for about 10 years (10mg most nights). I live in Thailand, and I can get them from a pharmacy...al...

19 REPLIES

I would like to take nortriptyline (10mg) with zolpidem (10mg) at night. Are these two medications ok to take together? ...

8 REPLIES

creme colored oblong pill with 10 MG on one side and square dissected symbol on the reverse ## I can't find a pill m...

8 REPLIES

Taking Lupin zolpidem ER round blue..works great. Pharmacy now has Sandoz zolpidem ER round pink. Both 12.5. Totally ine...

7 REPLIES

I have 10 generic Zolpidem white round pills with imprint 4 on one side, 93 on the other (from Walgreens). Sometimes the...

7 REPLIES

sir, i am a regular consumer of alcohol (around 300 ml a day) for the last 20 years and my age is 50. i want to give it ...

7 REPLIES

My zolpidem tab is small and white but says teva on one side. Is this zolpidem? ## What is the rest of the imprint on th...

5 REPLIES