Opinions - Are Branded Benzodiazepines or Generics Better?

[Pinkavvy]

No, fool, we wont continue this at all. I'm done. I wont argue with you. Open your mind to learning, and you'll go alot farther in this fourm, and in the world. your opinion of a pill being weaker is not proof of evidence. perhaps your tolorance is differant? or more likely, perhaps you had a smaller dose size. The FACT is that generic pills have the same active chemical as the namebrand. Just because the binders used and binder ratio may be differant, does not make the pill weaker, usually the binder ratio differance is to make harder to abuse. The reality is that a 1mg pill contains 1mg of active ingredient. Next you're going to tell me that a 5/500 Vicodin brand hydrocodone is stronger than a watson brand 5/500 hydrocodon/apap pill.

[vdogg420]

Originally Posted by Pinkavvy

The FACT is that generic pills have the same active chemical as the namebrand. Just because the binders used and binder ratio may be differant, does not make the pill weaker, usually the binder ratio differance is to make harder to abuse. The reality is that a 1mg pill contains 1mg of active ingredient. Next you're going to tell me that a 5/500 Vicodin brand hydrocodone is stronger than a watson brand 5/500 hydrocodon/apap pill.

agreed!! i had my wisdom teeth out and the dr actually checked the do not substitute box and said his patients claim the generics are under powered. its all in your head if you ask me. the pretty little blue percocet that is rock hard MUST be better than the little white one that leaves a micro-spec of white residue on your fingers when you handle it. swim happens to be a rx junkie and agrees with me as well.

[Iggypoop]

Brands do make a difference. Binders, standardisation of ingredients and actual mg per pill will vary by brand. Although pinkavvy you are right saying that the active principle will be the same.

[oggy]

Edit. I think others are agreeing with me about brand quality from experience.

Cox Pharmaceuticals are the best swim's ever had and I know a lot of swim's that would say the same thing. Swim's never had a brand like it but could be a tolerance thing, mind you I do remember the cox valium did taste very bad witch is a good thing for checking streanth.

[raven3davis]

Are you taking a 2mg dose? SWIMS dad used to take like .25mg before he had to be infront of a lot of people but he was prescribed. SWIM doesnt recommened taking xanax without a prescription so maybe you should voice your concerns to a doctor and ask for their opinion. You really shouldnt have to rely on xanax to go on a date but if you must it probably isnt the worst decision you could make. Just dont take them too often and dont make it where you have to take a bigger dose to feel the effects.

[oggy]

Ok. But its ok to get high on many other drugs but not self proscribe xanax?

I only take 1mg at a time and dont use it all the time.

[xpr´k]

bzp's are known for their fast and pretty nasty addictions.

For me personally i stay away from the easy drugs. Easy to find, easy to take, people cant tell your using, slight to no hangover, some are even dirtcheap. Its to easy to abuse those kind.
Beware of any drug you can use daily without to much trouble is my motto (weed thought me that lesson a looong time ago).

[oggy]

Thank you.

[Pinkavvy]

Yeahsme- There is always a slight variation is ratios of any pill production, including namebrands. However for a pill to be prescribed in the united states, it must meet average standard ratios of active chemical dosage. So if it claimes to be 1mg of active chemical, or 10mg, it must be close enough on an average random sample to meet standards. They can't claim 10mg and consistantly be at 8.8mg, as they are held to the same dosing average standards that the namebrands are. There is always a variable, but not by much, and not anymore often then namebrands. Hence pharmacist/insurance/patients have a right to chose a generic brand rather than a namebrand. A brand can't mislabel the dosage incriment, just as a patient or isurance company can't decide to change the prescribed treatment/dosage that a doctor decides to prescribe.

[oggy]

Maybe in the US that is but in my opinion ordering from IOP's brands make a difference.

[dr ACE]

what is IOP's oggy?.maybe there are differences in the varitaitons of potecy of generics compared with regular brand name pills,between the U.S and the U.K, but i doubt it, cause different drugs manufacturers produce thier pills in different places all over the world

[dopenose77]

Swim is prescribed lorazepam and is curious after reading some debate on the fourm, has anyone had experience with both Ativan and its generic counterpart? I've only taken generics thus far to save money but if the name brand is any better I'll give it a go.

[Forthesevenlakes]

SWIM's had experience with both and honestly can't tell the difference. subjectively, they feel the same. now generic diazepam and valium, on the other hand...SWIM has noticed a qualitative decline in quality with the generic version.

[calmascanbe]

forthesevenlakes, can you give us a compairison between the 2 mentioned and clonazepam ?

[hightimes129]

Hi swim is new to this forum....however swim had a quick question about taking the generic xanax made by Greenstone, swim has read on on this forum that most people think this is the bext type of xanax how ever it gives me no effect like regular brand name xanax. swim had taken 4 mg's of it the other night and felt nothing but sleepy, and if swim were to take 4 ms's of the normal brand name xanax swim would have a very good high swim would be warm inside, very talkitive and over have a great time. It is just a completely different feeling which is not worth it at all, however brand name xanax if deffinitly worth the trip. This has occured on all of the occasions swim has taken both the generic and brand name xanax.....anyone know why this would be?

[IHrtHalucingens]

Most likely tolerance. Generic alprazolam has all the same active ingredients as the brand name xanax. Has all the same amounts and works exactly the same. My guess is that you have been abusing them and your tolerance has gone up, as it does very fastly with this substance. Either that or placebo effect, you know its a generic and think its not as good so it isnt.

But there is no reason why someone with no tolerance should react differently to generic and brand name pharmaceuticals.

[Abrad]

By any chance were they aquired from an IOP? SWIM has heard of some products being weak or totally inactive. Otherwise SWIM would agree with SWIIHrtHalucingens, that tolerance is probably your problem.

[raven3davis]

Some people like certain brands more than others. SWIM didnt know there is much of a difference, but apparantly, two different brands of 2mg alprazolam can give you 2 different highs. Some people like gandor more than upjohn and SWIM has also heard people mention alpax, which is normally ranked high. Tolerance could be an issue, but some people swear by certain brands. Maybe you got some weaker pills that are expired or something. Some IOPs could even sell homemade pressed pills that have a lesser amount of aplrazolam in them.

SWIM has heard the issue of brand name vs generic discussed quite often. Some people just like certain brands more than others. SWIM has heard this agrument with oxycodone pills too. Many people like the purdue pills, but there are other brands which are less desired. SWIM is unsure why some brands would make weaker pills. All these pills should be pharmecudical grade so there shouldnt be much of a difference in the quantity of active ingredients in each pill. Never the less, people often state how one brand is superior to another. anyone have an opinion on this subject?

[Jatelka]

SWIJ would say: Alprazolam is alprazolam is alprazolam ( if by any any other name)

[Colby]

Thats wierd, SWIM has taken both and felt the exact same effects, with the same dosage.

[asplinteredfawn]

Has anyone noticed a difference in potency between the generic white Sandoz 2mg oral Alprazolam tablets, the generic yellow Alpharma 2mg, the Upjohn 2mg tablets, and the 2mg orally disintegrating tablets by Schwarz Pharma (Niravam)? SWIM has found the Alpharma tablets superior and the Schwarz Pharma (Niravam) tablets to be NEARLY invalid. Does anyone concur or have any words of advice?

[GreatWonder]

SWIM has obtained a quantity of Alprazolam tablets under the name Notense - 0.50 (0.5mg). They are in blister packs with good expiry dates (08/2009) and are single score round pink tablets. The manufacturer is Sarabhai Chemicals, Vadodara, of which SWIM has found the following information;

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(The above site looks and reads pretty legit to SWIM)

SWIM has not had the chance to try these yet, but would like to hear from any SWIY's who may have heard of or used these. SWIM will report back to any SWIY's who would like to know the potency of these - SWIM has found little information so far.

[GreatWonder]

SWIM took a single 0.5mg table this evening (tablet did not have the revolting taste that the last supply of Alprazolam tablets SWIM received) and didn't notice much for a while. After 45 minutes SWIM felt an effect more similar to diazepam, a lot more groggy and heavy (though not a strong effect) so is still not sure about these tablets.
The powdery inoffensive taste of the pill and the fact that a lot of sites have "Notense" in their lists of generic DIAZEPAM is not reassuring SWIM at all. This is even though the blister tablets clearly state "Alprazolam Tablets I.P.". SWIM will try increased doses to get a better idea of what SWIM has obtained.

[Micklemouse]

A quick web-search would surely be a better idea? Notense is indeed Diazepam. Another name is Apozepam - perhaps that's where your coypu's confusion came in, if not maybe a stern letter to the supplier would be in order. Please be careful ramping up the doses.

Notense chemical information

[GreatWonder]

Yes, SWIM searched extensively on line and could only find Notense under lists of generic Diazepam. Still SWIM wasn't 100% sure as the blister packs were clearly printed with Alprazolam 0.5. SWIM has taken 2x 0.5mg and now feels nothing more than dopey and clumsy with mild anti-anxiety effects. SWIM does not like the effects of Diazepam, it make him more withdrawn whereas Alprazolam just reduces the anxiety so SWIM has contacted supplier.