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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PaulB on August 6, 2001, at 17:37:37
I really wanted to post this message because it has been baffiling me and I have addressed my queries to experts in the fields;pharmacists, pdocs and the like who do not seem to be able to help me.
What is confusing me is that I am getting different responses from the Rivotril brand of Clonazepam and the Klonopin brand. More accurately no response from Rivotril which I have been trying to use on a PRN basis. The experts response has been that Clonazepam whether Rivotril 'brand' or Klonopin 'brand' are EXACTLY the same down to the very last molecule although there may be some differences in generics of the drugs but only that the generic is inferior in terms of potency because it may be mixed with other substances.
I live in Britain and initially filled my prescription for this drug and got Rivotril but I decided to fill my rx at a online pharmacy to get Klonopin because I wasnt getting a response from the Rivotril at 2mg, then 4mg or then 6mg which I know would be VERY high doses especially if just starting. I tried Klonopin and it worked like other benzodiazepines-quick, immediate releif at a theareupeutic dose which for me is 2mg.
I believed that Clonazepam-both Rivotril + Klonopin- were metabolised extensively in the liver by one of the P450 isoenzymes into the blood stream?
Worth also mentioning that it is interesting that the guidelines for treatment of the two drugs is different. In Britain Rivotril is almost exclusively used as an anticonvulsant and not for anxiety disorders and maintanance dosage of the drug is 4-8 mg which an NHS nurse told me is tiltrated to quickly after starting treatment which is higher than starting doses for Klonopin.
There is probably some simple solution but can anyone shed any light on why this is happening? If Rivotril isnt metabolised like Klonopin whats happening to it? I can understand that there would be differences between the generic and brand forms of the drug but I am speaking about Klonopin brand and Rivotril brand. I mentioned my pharmacist said that the generic form of Clonazepam would only be different in that it is less potent.
Much advice would be appreciated on your views on this subject.
PaulB
Posted by Cam W. on August 6, 2001, at 20:53:39
In reply to Rivotril and Klonopin, posted by PaulB on August 6, 2001, at 17:37:37
Paul - There "should" not be any difference between brands, even the generic. The difference can come from the binders and excipients (which are usually cheaper in generic brands), so the tablets may not dissociate (break apart) as easily, and you may lose some in your feces. Also, manufacturers use a range of dosage when making their tablets (95% to 105% of stated dose).
It could be either that your stomach can dissolve the Rivotril™ tablets better than the Klonopin™ tablets. Or the Rivotril lot was closer to the 105% of the dose and the Klonopin was closer to the 95% of the stated dose.
Another thing that I can think of, off of the top of my head, is that the Klonopin could have been closer to the expiry date than the Rivotril, which would make a very slight difference in potency. Or the pharmacy may not have stored the Klonopin properly (could have frozen or overheated) which can affect potency.
There are a lot of little explanations, but the most plausible is that of the tablet dissociation. Testing of tablet breakdown is done, but in different labs, different methods can be used.
I guess, in a nutshell, my answer is the same as everyone else's; I dunno. - Cam
Posted by JahL on August 6, 2001, at 21:20:36
In reply to Rivotril and Klonopin, posted by PaulB on August 6, 2001, at 17:37:37
> What is confusing me is that I am getting different responses from the Rivotril brand of Clonazepam and the Klonopin brand. More accurately no response from Rivotril which I have been trying to use on a PRN basis. The experts response has been that Clonazepam whether Rivotril 'brand' or Klonopin 'brand' are EXACTLY the same down to the very last molecule although there may be some differences in generics of the drugs but only that the generic is inferior in terms of potency because it may be mixed with other substances.
>
> I live in Britain and initially filled my prescription for this drug and got Rivotril but I decided to fill my rx at a online pharmacy to get Klonopin because I wasnt getting a response from the Rivotril.Hi Paul.
I'm UK also. I take Rivotril for night-waking, for which it helps, but I've always been aware that our US/Canadian friends on this site often report benefits from *Klonopin* that I can't relate to. You've got me wondering....
Can you tell me where you ordered the Klonopin from?
Thanks,
J.
Posted by PaulB on August 7, 2001, at 13:11:06
In reply to Re: Rivotril and Klonopin » PaulB, posted by JahL on August 6, 2001, at 21:20:36
>
> > What is confusing me is that I am getting different responses from the Rivotril brand of Clonazepam and the Klonopin brand. More accurately no response from Rivotril which I have been trying to use on a PRN basis. The experts response has been that Clonazepam whether Rivotril 'brand' or Klonopin 'brand' are EXACTLY the same down to the very last molecule although there may be some differences in generics of the drugs but only that the generic is inferior in terms of potency because it may be mixed with other substances.
> >
> > I live in Britain and initially filled my prescription for this drug and got Rivotril but I decided to fill my rx at a online pharmacy to get Klonopin because I wasnt getting a response from the Rivotril.
>
> Hi Paul.
>
> I'm UK also. I take Rivotril for night-waking, for which it helps, but I've always been aware that our US/Canadian friends on this site often report benefits from *Klonopin* that I can't relate to. You've got me wondering....
>
> Can you tell me where you ordered the Klonopin from?
>
> Thanks,
> J.Yeah. It was a online pharmacy operating from New York who didnt seem to have any problem filling a rx from a UK person-myself-for a US version of a drug-Clonazepam. The website was down when I last tried it before posting this message.
http://www.rxusa.com
The problem I have had with researching this is that US pdocs whom I have contacted have experience with Klonopin and will say Klonopin brand is approx twice as potent as the generic and the same for Rivotril in Uk pdocs opinions but these guys cannot make comparisons between Rivotril and Klonopin because they have no experience of both. There really shouldnt be any difference. They are the same drug under a different name for licensing purposes in different countries and thats all. Its like saying theres a difference between Paxil(US) and Seroxat(UK). Even if I had been given the generic I would only have to take 4mg instead of 2mg(my therapeutic dose of Klonopoin) but alas NO RESPONSE. What I will add though is that I have taken Rivotril with food and experienced an effect. On an empty stomach, nothing. Im with Cam on this. I really dont know. Thanks for the response.
PaulB
This is the end of the thread.
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