Inactive Ingredients Of Qualitest Or Leading Pharma Lorazepam (Page 4)

What are the inactive ingredients of Qualitest lorazepam or Leading Pharma lorazepam? Does anybody know? It seems that its formula might have been changed because I feel 1mg is less effect than before or does not work. I used to take Ativan 1mg before abroad and one month from Kaiser in the U.S. but they gave me refill as generic lorazepam (Qualitest). I felt 50-60% effectiveness compared to Ativan(brand lorazepam). I can't take Watson lorazepam as it does not work for me causing side effects (rapid heart beats, sweating, anxiety, dehydration). Qualitest has less side effect (less dehydrated than Ativan) I did not have physical dependence on Ativan for long time and quit too. But this generic lorazepam is getting less effective over a few months. Also my pharmacy had changed Qualitest to Leading Pharma without notice so I had to get new transcript for new pharmacy for qualitest (I transferred once). I did not take it for mental problem (anxiety or panic attach) but for side effect of levothyroxine (I should take it as I got my thyroid gland removed). Ativan has calming effect and reduces heart beats, sweating, and stiffness and helps sleeping a little as I suffer from some pains. It does not fix my problem but reduces temporarily. Zanax does not work. Cymbalta does not work. All depression medicine does not work. With Cymbalta, I became unconscious and was hospitalized. I almost died taking Prozac due to side effects and worsened my symptoms. Ativan only helps a little. I called most pharmacies in LA but many of them sell Leading Pharma lorazepam and some sell Watson. Most pharmacies do not receive return once it is opened (only one pill is taken) while Rite Aid does and during the period of medication, patients can't buy another lorazepam even with new prescription so if the medicine cause side effects or does not work, customer have to wait until refill period comes. I found only one pharmacy selling Qualitest lorazepam but most others sell Leading Pharma, I don't know why but maybe because of their marketing. So I may change to Leading Pharma but am worried that it does not work like Watson. I wonder if anybody tried Leading lorazepam and if it works, though effects are different according to each individual. Ativan in the U.S. is very expensive ($2600 for 1mg 30 tablet) and most doctors do not prescribe it and insurance is mostly not covered or do not want to pay for it. That's why Kaiser gave me brand Ativan only once and changed it to generic.

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Re: Judi (# 58)

I googled the FDA website, so don't remember the web address. And somehow I found file a complaint. Here is their phone number if you can't find the webpage: 1-888-463-6332

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Re: Richard (# 17)

I have taken Mylan for 15 years. It works great for me. However, CVS was unable to get it for me the last time I refilled it so I emailed and called the manufacturer. Customer service at Mylan told me they will no longer be manufacturing lorazepam, which explains why CVS can't get it. I am trying to find another manufacturer that will work for me. I have tried Teva/Actavis/Watson. Not working. Seems so unfair that they can just stop making it.

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Re: Cindy (# 62)

I’m curious......when you (or anyone else on this forum) say Leading is not working.....do you mean ‘not at all’ or just ‘not as good’......I know when I go without a dose I end up in the ER....it’s not just high anxiety or a panic attack...another question.....has ANYONE found a generic they are happy with and can currently obtain? I wonder if this recent scare with Valsarten will get the fda off it’s butt and get meds made in the USA again and oversee their content continuously....clothing requires a label where it’s made..why not our medications?

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Re: Richard (# 63)

I ended up in the ER as well because I thought I was having heart issues. I would say it was not working at all. It was a week after starting Leading I ended up in withdrawal. I can get Sandoz and Actavis. I take both each day and feel fine. I'd like to really cut down but have been on for 24 years. We shall see how it goes.

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Re: Judi (# 64)

Why would it take a week if it was not working at all? I missed one dose of the brand name Ativan and bp went sky high and rapid heart rate, dizzy and anxious......all because I missed a dose...2hours later the heart rate went up...then i’m Guessing my anxiety took over and poof! Bp went up....of course being anxious I took my own....225/140..yikes.....while awaiting treatment I thought ...ohhhh I think I didn’t take my Ativan this am...I took an extra in my pocket...20 minutes later I felt relief.......the nurses were perplexed until I told them what I thought had occurred...sure enough when I got home it was still in the case I kept meds in.........right now i’ve Been taking 2 Leading/one old Watson a day (at night)......sort of acclimating my body AND mind to Leading as little else is available...

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Re: Richard (# 65)

When I have tried to cut down my 3 mg a day the panic attacks started on day 4 or 5. I've tried 3 times and think I'm going too fast. I need to switch to 1 mg tablets so I can take .25 mg less than .5 mg. I have 2 mg tabs that I split now.

My doc wants me to at least try. That's the plan. In answer to your question I think it's just our chemistry. Just took longer to react for me.

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I see someone is making the rounds again stirring up the pot after she's got her brand name. Some of us are hurting really bad and I'm not sure what your two cents are worth to us right now. You've already made your case about what Leading brand did to you.

Deedee I'm on Sandoz right now and it's not working well at all. It's worst then Leading was for me. The above comment isn t talking to you. She knows who she is.

Richard don't mean to come across harsh dude but alot of your post are confusing. Sad thing is brotha it's not all in our heads that many of the different brands just don't work. What I read from your posts that you actually had troubles like us and now you don't.

Deedee someone posted a website from the FDA says Mylan is truly done. I took my last pill yesterday and I'm on the roller coaster ride now.

Glad you and Jamie were able to get the Mylan stocked up for the time being.

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You know I just called a local supermarket chain a few hours ago and they said they have Qualitest. Didn't I read they were d\c'd. This is getting very overwhelming to say the least. I've never tried it but alot of y'all have said it works good. Has it being renamed by another manufacturer? I was trying to find someone in my city that may still have or can get Mylan from their warehouse. This Sandoz is not working well at all. I can't tell if I'm in withdrawals or Its to strong.

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Re: Gabby (# 68)

I’m glad to see a familiar friend who I felt was always honest. I wonder if Qualitest started up again or if it's someone else. Pill identifiers still haven’t been updated since way back. If you go to search drugs instead of putting in the logos on the pill, Qualitest is on the first page, has a “V” on one side and 4008 with a line under on the other and says it’s made by Qualitest, that’s the 1 mg. I’m due to fill my prescription a week from Monday and I’m not sure if he’ll still have Mylan left or what I’ll deal with. I did have to switch my 1 mg twice a day to two of the 0.5 instead. I’m not sure if they’re getting old or what, but I haven’t been feeling too good lately. Two of these don’t work like the 1 mg did and if I take an extra half too soon, it knocks me out and I’m sleeping for an hour. I’ve been on this for so many years and I’ve got too many issues to think about stopping now and get an attack just thinking about it, but I’m wondering if these drug companies are really messing with us. The Qualitest was all I could use and trust for 4-5 years and actually changed pharmacies when CVS couldn’t get it and a local family pharmacy could. That lasted about 2 years and then they discontinued. Please let me know if you’re going to try it. My depression was so much better when I was on that. I felt a true sense of total calm, but not tired or yucky just taking the minimal dose every time. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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Re: Richard (# 60)

That is probably true. I think it depends if a pharmacy still has some left in stock. My pharmacy will not order from repackagers which still have some of these brands. I called Sandoz and they do not make it anymore either. That worked for me. I am going to pick up Activas on Monday and hope it works. I went yesterday to Rite Aid pharmacy (CVS is my normal pharmacy for insurance) and they wouldn't give it to me because of just getting an order from Leading Pharma. So I have to bring the bottle in so they will fill a new one for me. I have gotten so much misleading information from pharmacies and online that I am exhausted. I have just a few pills left for the Sandoz. I filed an FDA complaint on Leading Pharma, but they seem to be taking over all the pharmacies as their other ones run out. So to everyone: if you tried Leading Pharma and you can't take it, please file an FDA report. That is the only way we can get it off the market if enough people can't take it. I think they are heavy on fillers and short on Lorazepam! God bless everyone and action is what will make a change. We can't sit idle or we all will be in withdrawals.

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Leading Pharma Inactive Ingredients:
-Anhydrous Lactose UNII: 3SYSLH9PMK (UNII stands for Unique Ingredient Identifier)
-Magnesium Stearate,
-Microcrystalline Cellulose,
-Polacrilin Potassium.

The difference in Leading Pharma, Ativan, Sandoz, and Activas/Watson is the first inactive ingredient: Lactose.
Ativan: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline Cellulose, polacrilin potassium.

Mylan: Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilin potassium, and sodium stearyl fumarate.
Activas: same as Ativan, EXCEPT their source of lactose is not specified UNII: 8J2B2A4N98G

(Sandoz uses the same ingredients as brand name Ativan). Magnesium Stearate helps improve the strength of Lorazepam.

I've been researching for 5 days and I am tired of it. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research phone number: 301-796-3400 the lady there gave me the website to look into all the ingredients of lorazepam.

Also, I have been replying to individuals thinking it would be a public post so sorry about that. Just figured out how to do a public post to everyone. A little confusing for me.

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Re: Gabby (# 67)

First...sorry if I confused anyone...first...I never said it was ALL in your/my heads.....I think a good many reasons why we take lorazepam is due to how we think....and I think a medication's effectiveness has much to do with believing it works......so I do think positive thinking CAN play as big a part as negative thinking......secondly....people have been making blanket statements that “Leading” or “Sandoz” just doesn’t work while I believe the truth is closer to ‘it doesn’t work for ‘them’...% of inactive ingredients can/will affect the absorption of the active ingredients differently in everyone.....I have to admit..I got pretty nervous reading the earlier posts in the forum regarding Leading.....i’ve been taking Watson for 6 years..yet I read others that cannot take Watson..I read Qualitest is excellent but cannot be gotten anymore but then I read how ‘Qualitest is the worst”....’Sandoz is good...Sandoz is bad.....

“Watson doesn’t make lorazepam anymore” though two separate pharmacists have told me they have always made lorazepam but when a Teva took over Actavis it became the distributor......I have no idea what the truth is......just like everyone else here who isn’t a pharmacist i’m relaying what I’ve read....and relaying personal experience. As far as having troubles......well...anxiety, particularly health anxiety has a major effect on the effectiveness of a medication...i’ve seen Leading referred to as ‘no better than aspirin’ and ‘it’s just a placebo’’......’it’s garbage’......what effect do you think that has on a person who can only get Leading? Scares the s*** out of them, that’s what some people that take 6mg a day for 35 years feel......yet other than personal ‘experience’ is there any proof these generic don’t work except for those who write here? My guess actually it’s not a guess but a reference from a Costco pharmacist and a friend who is a pharmacist in the Midwest ...both say they’ve had zero complaints regarding Leading Pharma lorazepam......and unbeknownst to each other...they both gave me the same conclusion......people who it works for don’t write in to medschat groups complaining about it...i’m not saying it DOES work for people writing here...i’m saying just maybe it does work for many that don’t write here...one wouldn’t get that from reading this forum.

I’m about to run out of the Watson I have.....i’ve been on 2 Leading/one Watson per day for weeks...I still cannot tell the difference......I wouldn’t have even been on this forum if I hadn’t noticed the pill was twice the thickness of the Watson...”Leading”? I’d never heard of them....googled them and found this forum......I wish I hadn’t.

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Re: Judi (# 64)

Judi I was in your shoes many times thinking maybe I should just come off from this stuff. I won't give you the long version but I went.against my pdoc and internal medicine doctor and checked myself into detox. One of the worst life events I've ever been through. The sad thing is that I failed to be able to cope with extreme panic disorder without being on something. My doc met me at the front desk and said here's a script for Ativan you'll need to be on this most likely for life. Only good thing that came of that we found a benzo that actually worked and I was able to live a somewhat normal life. There's a English lady that has devoted her life to the study of benzodiazepines. She feels that there's nothing wrong with being on them. And to rush trying to come off from them is not the right approach. I'll try and find her name and posted it later. If you aren't being forced to come down my advice would be take your time. :)

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Gabby (# 69) --

The English woman....do you mean Claire Weekes (who didn't feel benzos were a big deal..)? She was wonderful...anyway..... I was told in 1967 that I would probably be on them (at the time- valium) the rest of my life. In 1972 I tried to get off it....back then they believed in Cold Turkey.... I agree with you...THE WORST period of my life.....imagine being a zombie in pain with panic attacks.....and btw...after one month the craving was just as strong....got a new doc at the clinic and he immediately put me back on Valium (benzo of choice back then)...within that day I was human again...went home the next week.....switched to Ativan in 1983 when my shrink was retiring and he didn't want his patients on an addictive drug like "Valium"......showed me a pamphlet about Ativan....it stated that is didn't remain long in your system and was not addictive like valium.....(sigh).....they were right ...its MUCH more addictive!

Anyway....I agree....for some its utterly necessary......much like Metaformin is for diabetics, heart drugs for those with heart issues, valsartan (well....um...something like valsartan) for people with high blood pressure...many conditions require drugs for life.....and I believe benzos are one of them for people with panic disorder/severe anxiety....yeah...its addictive....but try ripping a heart medication away from a heart patient or like my wife who is on valsartan for BP.....she will be on it most likely the rest of her life.

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Richard (# 70) --

Yup that's the lady. Showed some of her YouTube videos to one of my docs years ago ---She was anti benzo freak. Thought all the new SSRI's & SNRI's were the next best thing to Murphy's Oil. Ended up with a permanent ring finger twitch from Effexor. I'd already been through the old skool antidepressants that made a basket case out if me back in the early 80's. You have no idea how important it is to keep your medical jacket. (Well at least some don't)

As for Valium you couldn't get me to take that stuff even if it was free. The half life and a short time effects of its usage is worst then Ativan. I only took Valium when I was on a dusty island with a 40 mile perimeter, water on one side and mountains on the other. Ativan was just making the scene about that time. Was loaded up on Tofranil and Amitriptyline. The 3 bar shoulder board thought that was a great combination for panic disorders. That gave me a racing heart of 134 and hallucinations. ;) Oh yeah he put me back out on the line turning multi-million dollar equipment.

But back to Valium I only took it as needed thankfully. Yes I realize that Valium was the happening drug at one time. Actually Miltown was a lot more popular in the timeframe you spoke of. My aunt was on that junk. Turned her into something horrible.

Yes the folks that make these pills we're on knew just how addictive they were before they hit the open market. But the question is what else would they have given folks that were debilitated from panic disorder. I suppose there might be a magic bullet we don't know about that works? Dunno...

Lorazepam works just great as long as they stop changing the formulas. Then they do what they should do for many. As we've all said out here one might not work for one while another may work for someone else. So far I've only had two work efficiently.

As for many we are shunned for being on what were on only because the new drugs are the real McCoy according to many pdoc's. The sad thing is that isn't all true for everyone. You see if those drugs worked trust me when I say this I'd be on them. All my trials and errors were performed under close monitoring. Ok enough of the past. I'm in hopes this Sandoz will balance out for me long enough to start back to my beginning. But as of now it's got me a bit unhinged. This too shall pass.

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Re: Richard (# 20)

Pharmacy changed manufacturer from Sandoz to Leading Lorazepam. Within five minutes I reacted to it badly. Twitching, nervousness, diarrhea, itching, insomnia. Never had a problem with Sandoz or Watson.

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Re: Cynthia (# 76)

Well, the good take from this rapid reaction is your reaction was more likely psychosomatic.... absolutely real but produced by your body not by the meds... I only wish Lorazepam (made by anyone) worked that fast..... fastest I ever had it work was 20 minutes and that's putting it under my tongue that hastens it a bit...lol...no wait... insomnia in 5 minutes? You must mean the first day, not 5 minutes literally... even so, that's REALLY FAST ... it takes the body/mind a little while to realize things aren’t the same......but I think for what’s available now-Leading and Actavis......I think they are pretty much equal....both poor.....it took a while for the 'old' Watson to get out of my system.....I'm done with Leading, but Actavis is no better...I asked the pharmacist...what happens if Actavis stops making it? (Costco won't deal with Leading because Actavis is offering cheaper deals).... He said there are several companies waiting in the wings for FDA approval to start marketing it. Whether that's true or going to happen, I haven't a clue...but if it's true I hope they are aware how dissatisfied we are with the two current products.

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Re: Richard (# 77)

Please contact the FDA: https:/­/­www.fda.gov/­ForConsumers/­ConsumerUpdates/­ucm095859.htm

I did over my meds not working. Same manufacturers. People need to get the word out!

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Penso que os benzodiazepínicos,incluindo o Lorazepam,são realmente bastante eficazes,no tratamento da ansiedade,mas não há como negar o seu grande potencial de dependência psicológica,ao menos psicológica.O problema desta classe de medicamento 'benzos',que também promovem um relaxamento neuromuscular,que facilitam a indução do sono,mesmo os que não pertencem à classe dos indutores do sono,que são de curtíssima duração,é ,a meu ver,que após alguns anos de uso contínuo,mesmo em baixas dosagens,podem,além de desenvolver a tolerância 'aumento da dose',para o mesmo efeito,acontece com certa frequência,a necessidade de se adequar as dosagens;nem sempre para um aumento de dosagem,mas também aos horários;quanto menor a dosagem eficaz,melhor;se tomamos 1 mg de alprazolam ou lorazepam,por exemplo,e sentimos o alívio dos sintomas,melhor é procurar manter ao máximo,com esta dosagem;uma simples miligrama a mais,podem nos deixar muito desatentos,letárgicos,e 'sem emoções',principalmente à longo prazo,o que não é nada saudável;as vezes é preciso combinar com algum antidepressivo,que possua efeitos ansiolíticos,como a sertralina,fluoxetina,dentre outros,assim como em certas situações,inserir o uso de algum psicoestimulante leve,como a ritalina,modafinila,pemolina magnésica,dentre outros não deve serem completamente descartados ou desconsiderados;ao menos podem eventualmente diminuírem as sequelas cognitivas reversíveis,assim como serem úteis,no 'desmame' diminuição gradativa do fármaco benzodiazepínico..

Google Translate (may not be 100% accurate):

I think benzodiazepines, including Lorazepam, are actually quite effective in treating anxiety, but there is no denying their great potential for psychological, at least psychological, dependence. The problem with this class of 'benzos' drug, which also neuromuscular relaxation, which facilitate the induction of sleep, even those that do not belong to the class of sleep inducers, which are of very short duration, is, in my view, that after some years of continuous use, even at low dosages, they can, in addition, to increase dose tolerance, for the same effect, the need to adjust the dosages, not always for an increase in dosage, but also for the times, the lower the effective dosage, the better; we take 1 mg of alprazolam or lorazepam, for example, and we feel the relief of the symptoms, it is better to try to keep to the maximum, with this dosage, a simple milligram more, can make us very inattentive, lethargic, and without emotion s, mainly in the long term, which is not at all healthy, sometimes it is necessary to combine with some antidepressant, which has anxiolytic effects, such as sertraline, fluoxetine, among others, as well as in certain situations, insert the use of some psychostimulant such as ritalin, modafinil, magnesium pemoline, among others should not be completely discarded or disregarded, at least may eventually reduce the reversible cognitive sequelae, as well as being useful in 'weaning' gradual decrease of the benzodiazepine drug ..

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Re: Richard (# 14)

Yes the leading brand lorazepam 2mg works it's sad seeing all these reviews where people believe this pill is garbage this company was awarded 40 million dollars to continue manufacturing they are definitely in it for quality and business and this pill does not taste like sugar it tastes sweet but all other brands of generic lorazepam have tasted sweeter it of course your body knows what is needed to feel well and with generic pills they are made differently and people either got the feeling of relief or aren't satisfied and go elsewhere but the saddest thing here is all these bad reviews I believe people are just agreeing to get their liking and their making of the generic pill there bodies are used to and that's not right

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