I have been taking Clonazepam 1mg for a couple if years, with good efficacy. The pill I have been... taking is green, with the number 833 and sometimes the manufacturer's name "Teva" on the tablet. Recently, my pharmacist substituted a yellow tablet, manufactured by Actavis. It is labeled R34. My question: has anyone found a difference is the efficacy or side effects between the green Teva and yellow Actavis versions of clonazepam? I ask because I had one generic substituted for another generic I take of another drug (lamotrigine) and found the substitute did nothing for me and all my symptoms came back. I am more than a little gun-shy of taking a different manufacturer's version of a generic after this last experience. So if anyone has any thing to share with regards to the efficacy of Teva's version of clonazepam versus the Activas version, please let me know. Thanks!
Clonazepam - anyone noticed difference in efficacy /side effects of the Teva & Actavis versions?
Question posted by DJLevy on 9 July 2011
Last updated on 23 February 2022
47 Answers Page 2
Yes, the yellow pill and now the blue pill do not work. Did they stop making the light green pill? That worked for me. Now I am having panic attacks and a zapping feeling in my brain. The pharmacist in several pharmacies do not care or give me an answer. How do patients who have taking the green Clonazepam 1 mg, with the number 833 on the tablet find it?
Yes, they stopped.
I have the same situation. Teva has discontinued klonopin but the good news is it will be in stock in about 8 weeks, I called today. I tried the actavis and sandoz brand, both didn’t work for me. I’m getting the klonopin teva odt tomorrow hoping it will work, if not my last option is the klonopin brand by roche.
I received a response from TEVA customer service on 4/20/19 saying that they are ‘hoping to have the original TEVA clonazepam back in 3-4 months, mid to late summer’.
I strongly encorage ALL to keep emailing TEVA at TevaCS@tevapharm.com to make sure they bring the old formula back as they have said.
Has anyone heard any more updates about when TEVA original formula will be back in stock?
Update. I went to pick up my name brand $$$ Klonopin today. My insurance had given the green light as Actavis and Accord do not work. I had already gotten one 30 day supply of the name brand. I arrived at the pharmacy, picked up my 90 day supply and went out to my car. Looked at the damned bottle. It was ACTAVIS. BUT the manufacturer said T E V A !! I almost died. I went back into the pharmacy and the pharmacist said "your chart says you prefer TEVA". I told him the bottle said TEVA but the meds were Actavis (which TEVA bought). They were the yellow Actavis pills. Well, the pharmacist said he would have to get a hold of my shrink to get the name brand because I already picked up the 90 day supply. I practically threw the bottle at him and said "I don't need 180 worthless pills, thank you" He insisted I take them, I insisted I did not want them. I won. Point is this. Don't get excited if a pharmacy says they have Teva in stock...
it's just Actavis with the Teva name on the bottle. What a cluster this is. Now, my shrink has not gotten back to me or the pharmacist and here I sit with the weekend coming up.
I talked to Teva customer service this morning and they said that they're 1M original pill is back in service. Might have to call Pharmacy and see if Teva 1 m is listed as available instead of discontinued.
1 888-838-2872 option 3 then 5 to talk to customer service. Tell them to bring back the half milligram and 2mg pill. Everybody that calls helps.
I have been taking clonazepam for several years making sure to only take it only when needed. I picked up my Rx and took half of 0.5 and it should have made me sleepy. No sleepy! Took the other half one hour later... nothing. Took 1 whole one at 2am couldn't sleep, then another at 3:30 am! Not right! It had been over a month since i had taken so i didn't even realize that they were a different color until my mom mentioned it. Come to find out they are Accord from China! If i were taking these every day like most people do, i would be going through withdrawals! Thank God i take them like i do! Now i am worried about others and thinking about what they must be going through. The FDA does not inspect the plants in China! Maybe when they first open, but even when they finally do inspect, they get a heads up so that everything checks out. Terrible and I'm calling Walgreens as soon as they are open and letting them know. Then calling other pharmacies in my area to see what brand they carry. I will just ask my doctor for Klonopin the brand name. Just so wrong!
Down to my last TEvas which is so sad. Decided to pay$325 out of pocket for the name brand. Have had to take double the amount of brand to equal TEVa and it hurts my stomach and sometimes it puts me to sleep but basically I don’t really feel anything. I’m using name brand Klonopin on and off with the Tevas but so far am very very unimpressed. It feels like there is almost no medication in it. My head feels clearer but I miss that intense calm that would wash over me with TEVa. It was my miracle drug and I have no idea what I’m gonna use moving forward... I’ll try actavis or Solco I guess but TEva worked for me the first pill the first night and none of these others have
I have been on the green clonazepam 1mg for 14 15 years and then all of a sudden they don't make it no more so they gave me some yellow one my pharmacist is really good about keeping me updated about my medication and told me that it no longer is being made. I took the yellow one my throat swelled up I had a very hard time I had to call my doctor and I got on the name brand Klonopin which I think really is not working so I am going to try and get a hold of the makers of the green clonazepam 1 mg and see why they stopped making it and see if they can still make it. I don't understand why pharmaceutical companies just go right ahead and cancel making something that people are used to and need for their health and then you're throwing into a curb to use something else that doesn't work I am kind of lucky because my pharmacist will take back my script that I have had filled and my doctor writes out a new one.
I'm I feel sorry for all the people that are stuck with taking a medication that your Pharmacy will not take back. But you can go to your doctor and you can take the medicine right to him or them and they can write you out a new script and you can turn in your medication to them because this is a controlled substance turn your medicine into them they can write you a brand new script for a different kind of medication or for the name brand every Insurance Company will override the very first script because you have to get it authorized but if you call and you talk to a supervisor you explain the situation they can override it till your doctor gets paperwork in for you to keep taking whatever new medication that you have to take so I went from the clonazepam to the name brand but I don't feel as good as I did when I was on my clonazepam I'm just kind of like praying that it'll kick in and I'll start feeling better. To all of you that are having problems my heart goes out to you because I know what it's like and I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers
I just googled this subject to see if anyone else was having problems with Clonazepam and turns out many of you have. I have been taking it for years and trying to get off it eventually, but I realize that different people take it for different reasons. I have problems with panic and anxiety. Anyway, I have been on several different generics... whatever ones the pharmacy switches too. I have been on Sandoz, Actavis, Qualitest, and Teva and for me the best was Sandoz. Was on it for years and had no trouble from one bottle to the next until about 2009. Then I received a batch that was really bad. I had some of the symptoms many of you describe such as headaches, dizziness, and just more or less feeling drugged-up instead of relaxed. When it works properly it has a calming affect and can even relieve headaches. The latest prescription I received was for Actavis and the first several bottles worked great but the last one has been bad.
I dont know if they change the binders or other ingredients but its not the same. In the past, they wouldn't switch because insurance already paid for it so I had to get a new prescription. Bottom line... they really need to standardize this product so you get exactly the same medication every time.
Oh how I know about worthless generics, though only after years of never a problem with my 2 Rxs. As for Teva clonaz vs Actavis, I would have picked Teva. Familiarity with it in both clonaz and gabapentin, my other Rx, perhaps. Plus Actavis brand is chalkier, dissolves too fast (in my mouth unless I am careful), the color is hard to tell from two vitamins I put in my pill box, etc. But always that uncertainty... does my neck hurt because of stress lately? Or is it that different generic?
Regardless, Teva no longer makes either of my 2 now. And I have been ok with Cipla brand gabapentin for a few years, and Actavis clonaz the past few months. Preferably, Teva brand in both would never have ceased.
Still not feeling NEARLY as well with Actavis (cervical dystonia) as I did for years with Teva. But the only alternative, possibly, would be Mylan
I’ve been on ClonazePAM FOR 7years
2mg as needed twice a day
I had success with
TEVA Brand always made me feel fine
Pharmacy told me they can’t get TEVA anymore in SO CAL AND switched me to ACTIVAS noticeably diffrent foggy haze can’t sleep blurred vision never had a problem with TEVA they worked fine and I could continue my day like nothing this feels like a wet blanket on me . I’m stuck with this for a month till in figure out how to get back on TEVA .
ACTIVAS dissolve before I can pick up a glass of water to drink maybe its the binding release problem ? I don’t know but it’s not good .
I hope TEVA comes back in so cal it takes away my anxiety with out sedating me ACTIVAS seems to just sedate me all day
Has anyone had itching and jitteriness from the name brand? I took Teva for years - great - and Actavis for one week - horrid. But orange .5 Klonopin giving me side effects and I sit here and cry almost every night. I do not know what to do. The NP who gave me this prescription years ago should have told me they are not something you can stop taking easily and didn’t do my research. I trusted her. Stupid me.
I decided to the brand name Roche .5- and I had breakthrough anxiety and stomach problems. I liked Teva so much better-it’s so sad to see it discontinued and all of us in pain. Look on this thread for the customer service number and complain- I think it’s best that we all at least try to get the old Teva back. I’m sorry that you’re suffering.
We all need to call TEVA, tell them the actavis doesn't work, tell them side effects and say teva was the only brand that worked.
I called yesterday
When you called, who did you speak with (was it customer service)? I for SURE plan to call tomorrow and complain. I want the TEVA green BACK and soon...
Actavis is much better than Accord. Accord is totally ineffective. Do not go to CVS - that is all they stock.
Yes. Been taking Teva Clonazepam for 1mg Bid for 2 years and had to switch to Activis do to Teva not making it any longer. I spoke to the Teva rep about quality and effectiveness and they said “It’s the same drug but some people may respond differently.” Today was my 1rst day and not the same! They appear to be weaker and felt a little dizzy with some depression. I’m hoping it’s just initial effects from changing and if not will look for something else. To me Teva was the best!
Yes! Absolutely there is a huge difference in the effectiveness. I have taken the Teva brand for several years as I have panic disorder and anxiety. I cannot find the Teva brand at any pharmacy. The other manufacturers of clonazepam do not work. Period! I am dealing with panic disorder again because of the ineffectiveness of clonazepam made by other manufacturers. the Accord manufacture is by far the worst in my opinion. I need to talk to my doctor and try a new medication.
The Teva brand was always the best for generic versions of clonazepam. I remember when it said 88 834 I believe on the tablet with the score on the back side. Then they put the Teva logo on the side of the pill. That was around 15 years ago and the potency and quality declined from having just numbers on it to having the Teva name on it. Now let's fast forward 2 today 2018 September where Teva is using Actavis Pharmaceutical clonazepam to replace their own generic brand. The difference is astounding. There are unwanted side effects and no relief as the medication gave in the past. I've tried other brands almost every other brand and none of them compared to the Teva brand of yesteryear. My opinion is to switch over to Time released Xanax or alprazolam ER. It has a longer half-life and works better then the clonazepam.
The only thing is will the doctor switch you over to this medication with all the hype and all the opinions about how bad it is? Now I'm not saying to go on the immediate release Xanax but the time released which last 12 hours. It comes in half milligram 1 mg 2 mg and 3 mg. It is more addicting than clonazepam especially the generic brands being offered these days which in my opinion does not have the same amount of benzo powder then they used to put in it. All these generic manufacturers of clonazepam are doing something underhanded and we know this because we've been on this medicine so long that we can tell the difference. We know if it's weaker or if there's unwanted side effects. I think everybody should start calling pharmaceutical companies and complaining letting them know that they have changed the formulation in the pill and that you stand behind many people who take their medication and are willing to take their business elsewhere due to them trying to cut corners for whatever reason. The only way we're going to get this solved and back to normal is by Non-Stop calling complaining and putting it out there on the internet that these companies are watering down medication for-profit. Now we can say this because we've been on it for so long that we know. I hear all these comments and most of them are the same concerning this issue. Now it's up to us to try at least to get a company to make it the way they used to. Or switch over to Alprazolam ER.
Been on Teva brand clonazepam for 8 years(4mg per day). Per call to Teva, they bought out Activas and Teva said they are using Activas formula now. Just got Teva brand after they said they quit making it. It was a sugar pill, had a bad reaction. Weird from one month to the next of no problems then bad reaction. The lady at the pharmacy showed me the medication before I got it. 1st time that happened. Just because it looks the same doesn't mean it is the same. Had the same reaction to another brand Accord. This is playing with peoples lives. I take it for seizures. I know when it works and when it doesn't. I haven't had any side effects in the 8 years of taking Teva till now. Now the doctors dont want to give you something else you can take. Brand name from Genetech Roche I haven't tried. It costs over $300 who can afford that every month. I called them for financial aid. They said sorry we don't provide financial aid anymore. Imagine that.
My doctor when I asked for a replacement gave another benzo but only .50mg per day. I don't want withdrawals. There has to be something we can all do.
Like I said below, get the Wafer form. It's only produced by TEVA , PAR and SUN - All of which of made in the USA because of the strick process in making the Oral Disintegration Tablet. They are sensitive to heat so they must be made locally and all each pill is individually bubble wrapped in foil. The PAR brand I received yesterday is manufactured in NY.
Another advantage to having only 3 manufacturers is there is less chance of getting a different brand everytime you pickup your new script. Both CVS and WGs had Par in stock but Walgreens would've overnight ordered the TEVA wafer form if needed. I will try it next month against the PAR version They have it in the .025, 05 ,1.0 and 2.0 strengths.
I'd love to know, also. Just got 3 days worth of SOLCO, took one and had nightmares all night. So iffy about it so far.
I've not tried anything, in my 22 years of cervical dystonia, other than a few unknown generics which were absolutely fine. Until a change one month in both clonazepam and gabapentin gerneric brands , both for same thing. Unbeknownst to me. Sick sick sick.
I had to track down the last Teva in my area for both. Started getting better within an hour.
A few years ago, Teva stopped making Gabapentin, and I was horrified. A friend let me have her late mother's bottle of CIPLA. It was just like Teva for me. So that's what I've ordered since. And pray they don't stop making it. But I still got Teva clonazepam from Walgreens, special order.
Until lately... and mixed reports as to whether the brand still makes it or not. I had to try a sample of Solco. And took the first last night. Had vivid nightmares all night, and afraid to go anywhere today until I see if anything else happens. Next on my list, if Teva doesn't turn up, is Accord brand. Any comments on it?
Something you an others may consider is the wafer (oral disintegrating tablet) form. It's available from TEVA , PAR and SUN pharmaceuticals. It works basically the same as the regular tablet form but all you do it place it on your tongue and let it dissolve, no water is needed. It takes about 10 seconds to dissolve on your tongue and kicks in almost immediately. I got mine filled for the first time yesterday after being fed up with the poor choices of generic clonazepam available. CVS and Walgreens both stocked the PAR brand and my insurance covered it and there are no special needs that your DR has to list. If your insurance won't cover it for some reason, the cash cost listed on the bag was 87.50 for 60 pills.
Related topics
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.