Brand name vs. Generic - Benzos

[andybones]

I am sure this question has been beat to death, and everyone has an opinion and that's exactly what I'm looking for. Your experience.

I have been on generics for the past 6 years of Klonopin, and generic Xanax for 2 years.

I have never had the opportunity to try name brand as my Insurance wouldn't cover it.

I have switched Insurance companies and I have the opportunity to pay for brand name.
It's a bit of a higher price, about $2 for my Xanax generic script (Sandoz), vs. $40 for name brand.
$5 for my generic Klonopin script (Teva), vs. $40 for name brand.


I am considering spending the extra $70 or so to see if the name brand is worth the extra money, however before I do so I wanted to ask for some opinions from you great folks.

[jimtje]

Definitely a difference, although $70 worth of differene for... what, a month? Man, I'm not so sure.

Some generics are solid. For Xanax I've found Mylan (thanks Wal-Mart) to be the worst. Activitias or whatever it's called is solid. Whatever they got at Costco is pretty fantastic.

$70, god damn. If you're really that curious just try one and see how it compares. No need to throw all 70 into it. I prefer brand certainly, consistency and nothing weird.

[andybones]

Yea, it's definitely a bit of a bump up in price, I think that's a good idea, do brand name klonopin one month, then brand name Xanax the next so I can at least have the chance to compare. Thanks for the input.

[jimtje]

Hey, not a problem, definitely shopped around the block with my everchanging insurance and docs and even spent a summer doing Chinese generic .4mg pills (docs there... prescribed me 1.6mg a day, what the hell). Happy to help.

[Zander]

Andy if you're talking about buying a medication in the U.S. with a valid prescription from a licensed pharmacy, there is absolutely no difference. The generics must contain the exact same amount the of active ingredient. This is regulated by the FDA and and strictly enforced. If the generics do not contain the exact same amount of active ingredient, the FDA would shut them down.

From the FDA:

What standards do generic drugs have to meet?

Health professionals and consumers can be assured that FDA approved generic drugs have met the same rigid standards as the innovator drug. To gain FDA approval, a generic drug must:

   contain the same active ingredients as the innovator drug(inactive ingredients may vary)
   be identical in strength, dosage form, and route of administration
   have the same use indications
   be bioequivalent
   meet the same batch requirements for identity, strength, purity, and quality
   be manufactured under the same strict standards of FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations required for innovator products



http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou...100100.htm

[andybones]

I respect your opinion Zander, but even different generics I have found to be varried in effects, for example Mylan is one of the worst generic Klonopin. So, IMO there is s difference per person, for example fillers.

Next month I will get brand name Klonopin and post results.

[Popster]

andybones:  Zander wasn't expressing his opinion

He was quoting the FDA regs.  
This govt agency doesn't play rosy around the bush.
The generic standards are very strictly enforced, to the chagrin of the brand names.....because of the money they lose to the generics.
Rest assured, if your in the USA and you buy generics, you are getting the same chemical formula (active ingredients only) as the brand name.
It's no different with aspirin.  Bayer, Safeway, Walmart, Anacin etc.....all the same.
"Fillers" can be different......but "opinions" don't count in this case.....the chemical formulas are what counts.

Save your money or don't......

I respect your opinion Zander, but even different generics I have found to be varried in effects, for example Mylan is one of the worst generic Klonopin. So, IMO there certainly is a difference, for example fillers.
I suppose this isn't really a question that can be answered, more of an opinion.  
Next month I will get brand name Klonopin and post results.

[andybones]

Fair enough, not trying to argue here.
Was hoping to get personal experience and opinions, but no worries.

Either way ill post my results next month.

[Popster]

Not to worry andybones.......I sometimes buy brand names cause I think they work better.......sort of like the placebo effect....if one "thinks" it's better......that thinking CAN have an effect on your experience.

This has been proven time and time again in psychological studies.

Excedrin is a good example for me......I will pay a little more for it than the Safeway equivalent.......even though I know there's no difference....
I do draw the line on expensive items though LOL

Fair enough, not trying to argue here.
Was hoping to get personal experience and opinions, but no worries.

Either way ill post my results next month.

[andybones]

Your input is appreciated. And I agree, it may all be in my head next month that brand is better, or I may find it to be equal and save my money and go back to genetic.