Generic Xanax/Alprazolam Brand/Manufacturers?

[50yellAD]

Has anybody tried more than one generic brand of Xanax or Alprazolam?

Which brand do you use or have you used?
What differences could you notice between the brands?
Which do you prefer?

I started using Sandoz brand. I have always been skeptical about the whole anxiety thing and medication but these were like miracle pills. I only needed to take half of one and it allowed me to feel like the old me again. They had no side effects, negative or positive, other than just allowing me to feel normal. It felt so great to feel like me again it was energizing.

Currently, I am using Purepac from Walgreens. The two brands are like two totally different pills. Initially, these really had no effect of me besides inducing daytime naps. They do not really help with my anxiety. The worse part is a rebound effect that makes me extremely irritable. Using Sandoz half a pill was sufficient; however, with Purepac I could take 10 times my prescribed dosage and receive no effect. They do not even help anymore with sleep.


I know there are a lot of differences and preferences among generic manufacturers of medication. For example, many people notice major differences and are very bias toward and against certain Adderall manufactures... though I have not heard anyone voice similar concerns about Xanax.

I would be greatly appreciative of any shared experiences or insight.

Thanks.

[mwessel41]

sorry to dig up an old thread but I'm having similar issues switchin Xanax brands. I was on purepac to fall asleep, which was working fine. I just refilled and CVS gave me mylan, which seems to have no effect on me at all, not to mention the fact that it leaves a terrible taste in my mouth. I too am curious as to others' experience with alprazolam brands.

[ellymae]

Walgreens can order the generic brand made by Greenstone. That is the only one that I have found to work for me. PurePac does nothing. Hope this helps!

[ADHDNEWB]

I was taking xanax for ten years. Miracle pill yes, but very dangerous. I've tried them ALL. I never noticed a difference between any of them honestly. Maybe the mylan brand, but that's it. They seemed less effective compared to other brands. Tolerance also could have played a role here. I didn't start taking those till YEARS later.

[john5527]

Sorry if I missed another thread on this topic. I have been on alprazolam for over two years now. I took the sandoz manufactured pill until my small town pharmacy went out of business because of walgreens. I got my prescription filled at walgreens and the pill was very different. Much more difficult to split also. It is made by purepac and I don't like the side effects. The pill no longer seems to help me. Plus, I feel lighheaded all the time and dizzy. Does anyone know where I could get the one made by Sandoz or if walgreens can get this one?

Thanks

[jennyjay]

Greenstone is a subsidiary of Pfizer, who makes the brand name Xanax. I just found this out.

[muldoon]

Originally Posted by 50yellAD

I started using Sandoz brand. I have always been skeptical about the whole anxiety thing and medication but these were like miracle pills. I only needed to take half of one and it allowed me to feel like the old me again. They had no side effects, negative or positive, other than just allowing me to feel normal. It felt so great to feel like me again it was energizing.

Currently, I am using Purepac from Walgreens. The two brands are like two totally different pills. Initially, these really had no effect of me besides inducing daytime naps. They do not really help with my anxiety. The worse part is a rebound effect that makes me extremely irritable. Using Sandoz half a pill was sufficient; however, with Purepac I could take 10 times my prescribed dosage and receive no effect. They do not even help anymore with sleep.

I had started long ago w/ the Sandoz. Somewhere along the line I noticed they were circular instead of football shaped. I recently used my old Sandoz emergency supply & the experience was EXACTLY as you describe. Sandoz is so much more effective than these PurePac things.

I'm going to dump Walgreen's because of this and find my original pharmacy for the Sandoz. I am on the XR version (Greenstone) and IR version (PurePac) if needed. I now want Sandoz & Sandoz only for both forms. Unbelieveable difference.

[drylightning]

I think I know what you mean about Mylan not working as well as others...



I'm not certain that the Mylan isn't working as well as others because I've just recently increased my dose. I was taking 5 mg/day from about 1995-1999 for panic disorder. At that time, the alprazolam worked wonders. Since 1999, I gradually decreased my dose to 1.25 mg/day, which I'd been on for a year or so. I never thought at all about who manufactured my generic Xanax and was doing well until a couple months ago when, out of the blue, the panic and anxiety came back. So, we upped my dose a couple times and now I'm back on 5 mg/day. But I don't feel as good as I think I remember feeling back when I first took this dose. I definitely feel better than I did two months ago, but I have my doubts whether the Mylan is doing quite as good a job as it should.

So, it is interesting to read that others think Mylan is a weaker generic. I wonder if I'd feel better if I were on Sandoz, which would be convenient considering my upcoming change of insurance in July. (Switching from an HMO that supplies Mylan to an HMO that supplies Sandoz.)


Of course, it's possible this is all in my head, because, while the Mylan may not be working as well as I *think* I remember the Xanax generic working back in the 1990s, it may be that my memory is tricking me. And since I do feel much better, maybe I should just let it go and stick with what works, even if it doesn't work quite as well as I'd hoped.

[rom661]

I am looking for some assistance. My pharmacy changed to the Mylan brand of alprazolam. I know some claim it is in your head but it is absolutely not the case. I can't afford name brand but for years I used a generic which I can't recall the name of. It was shaped like a football with a score (no pun intended) on one side. The .5's are pink colored. Any assistance would be appreciated.

[CptNemo]

Originally Posted by rom661

I am looking for some assistance. My pharmacy changed to the Mylan brand of alprazolam. I know some claim it is in your head but it is absolutely not the case. I can't afford name brand but for years I used a generic which I can't recall the name of. It was shaped like a football with a score (no pun intended) on one side. The .5's are pink colored. Any assistance would be appreciated.

This might help:
http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php?ac...ame=alprazolam

[Calmness]

Hello people. I have been taking alparzolam for around 2 years now and will only stick to Xanax now the thing with generic brands. Yes they are the same substance but the can be made differently. Basically it comes down to how quick and effectively the body can absorb the substance, now there are many factors that alter this like food and acidity ect. But back to generic brands my mum came to me with the same question as she found that valpam didn’t work compared to ducene. Now the final stage of a drug is a crystalline salt, depending on which solvents were used in its preparation determine its melting point and affect the absorption in the body, you also see on blister packs batch numbers which have different melting points compared to other batches, but all should be within in the companies acceptance. With substances such as alprazolam you really appreciate quick absorption and reduction of anxiety when in public. So that is why certain brands may work and other not so well, so when you find one that works generic or not stick to it. Hope this has been helpful and thanks for your time... Calmness