Is Mylan Lorazepam Discontinued? (Page 7)

My pharmacy told me that they can't buy mylan any more and they do not know if it is discontinued or not. Since Qualitest lorazepam was discontinued, Mylan is the only lorazepam that works (less effective than Qualitest) but works with less side effects than others (Watson, leading pharma, actavis: don't work causing serious side effects). Any alternatives, or another generic lorazepam that works ok? Lorazepam is the only sedative that works for me for anxiety and stiffness due to side effects of levothyroxine. Other medicine such as clonazepam, alprazolam (xanax), cymbalta, zoloft, lexapro, etc do not work.

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Re: Richard (# 120)

All I know is anything other than Mylan or brand does a number on me. Sandoz was manageable. But Watson tears me up.

I realize that Aurobindo is made in India. But my Mirtazpine from there works just fine for me and it's from the same company.

As far as talking to any pharmacist I don't have anybody that I can trust anymore. The ones I did all retired over the years.

I'm in hopes that Bausch will get back to me about why they're out of all strengths of brand name. I'm still not buying it.

Marcus I hope you'll get back to me on where you're getting the aurobindo from. Peace y'all!

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Re: Richard (# 120)

As a military veteran I've read the VA bantering about getting all of us Vets off from benzos. They are targeting those that are 70 and older. They feel there's a less chance of fallen, dementia and other health issues. They feel putting someone on antidepressants that so called work for panic disorders is a better choice. They say they've had a huge success rate. I'd like to talk to those Vets and see just how successful it was getting off. I think they're full of hot air. Richard don't get me wrong here about your placebo effect. But if I'm reading you clearly here are you saying some of the generic lorazepam is nothing more than a sugar pill? If so that's kind of stretching it. I think the honest thing is maybe they're not getting enough of the main ingredient and how it's released through our livers along with fillers that are giving many of us a hard time using them. Bausch won't tell us that the pill they say is brand name is actually a generic that Biovail made back in 04-05. I've called them out on this plenty of times. It works pretty well but not as well as Mylan did. And they are charging an astronomical amount of money to purchase it cash wise. The military and VA system will not buy it. All I know is if you don't think they're going to discontinued making benzos wait. I guess some of you can't read the writing on the wall after so many aren't making it anymore. Read the shortage websites. They haven't changed in over a year plus. Leading and major is taking over and Bausch is running out so they say. Leading and Major say they're short too. I don't wear a tinfoil hat but there's a real good chance we won't see benzos much longer. What bothers me the most is the pharmacist and doctors saying no to those of us that have been on it for years. The same people had no problem benefiting from it when there wasn't anything else to take. Nothing but a bunch of self-serving money making backbiters. What I'd really like to see out here is those of us band together and get this thing under control. Stop talking about it and do something. Just my two cents worth I guess.

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Re: D505 (# 122)

D505....boy are you ever misreading me! Please check my posts on this and other lorazepam related forums.......some here have spoken about lorazepam made by Leading Pharma being as effective as a "sugar pill"...they aren't saying it IS a sugar pill (well, some actually may have) but no....it just doesnt seem to be as effective as the old Watson or other manufacturers of yesteryear....before they were made in India......as far as a placebo effect...for those who have been taking benzodiazepines for many years (personally i've taken the same hefty dose for 52 years....6mg/day ..one of the lucky ones who never required more)...there is no placebo effect....i think what i said was maybe the India-made manufacturers and docs were HOPING for a placebo effect with their less effective products.......the thought of taking an older person off benzodiazepines they never asked to take is just plain cruel....... it could kill them.....and not only make them prone to the falls they fear taking the meds might cause but stopping absolutely can cause convulsions, heart attacks, depression, etc. (read the horror stories on google of people trying to withdraw)....life as the user knows it will cease and be one long grueling hardish just to maintain being alive much less earning a living or functioning in any social situation. I am hoping big pharma ignores the warnings and keeps going for the $ rather than the studies.......as i've said before..alcohol does far more damage to the brain and body, is just as addictive but because everyone seems to use it, it will never be banned.

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Re: Jibs55 (# 121)

I got the Aurobindo from my CVS pharmacy. But now I see it's on the list of shortages. So it may have just been the old stock they had on hand. I don't know what I'll get at my next fill.

Also, I don't think the Aurobindo is made in India--not this one at least. It seems to be made in the US from what I can tell.

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Re: Marcus (# 123)

Aurobindo Pharma Limited is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company headquartered in HITEC City, Hyderabad, India. The company manufactures generic pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company’s area of activity includes six major therapeutic/product areas: antibiotics, anti-retrovirals, cardiovascular products, central nervous system products, gastroenterologicals, and anti-allergics. It is marketed out of East Winsor, NJ. ........same as "watson" (actavis-parsippany, nj), Leading - Fairfield, NJ-this one is literally around the corner from me.)...all made in India...all marketed from NJ.

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Re: Richard (# 124)

When I spoke to them last year I was told the lorazepam was to be produced by the Aurolife Pharma, LLC umbrella, a 100% owned subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. "Aurolife's goal is to become the leading US based generic pharmaceutical product manufacturer in the specialty and niche areas drug." They are based in NJ.

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Re: Marcus (# 124)

Thank you for letting me know where you were able to pick up the Aurobindo. I'm not certain how long they've been on the market in pharmacies but I couldn't get anyone to say it's available. If your not an established patient with some pharmacies they won't give you that information. Has to do with being a controlled substance. I haven't called any of the mom-and-pop ones yet. I hope you won't have any problems getting it your next fill. Thanks again for filling me in. You're actually the first person to say you've tried it. Good to hear it works as well as brand.

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Re: Henry (# 126)

Unfortunately the product is manufactured in India but marketed in NJ.....just like Actavis (Teva),...and Leading, My wife takes Aurobindo valsartan for blood pressure...it too is marketed in NJ but manufactured in India.....i don't gelieve links are permitted here but google 'where are Aurobindo drugs manufactured - wikipedia'.

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Re: Richard (# 123)

I've seen other posts of yours switching gears about Leading. You seem to be overwhelmed by products made in India.

I now see what you're saying about the placebo effect. As they aren't making it as strong and some may not notice it.

I don't know about you but I have a difficult time reading the same story over and over again. Kind of what you've been doing for the past year across all of the threads.

For me it makes things non-productive. It's hard enough having the brand that works for you or me and someone is constantly repeating themselves. Does that make sense?

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Re: D505 (# 129)

Of course that makes sense. Yes, i was wondering why all these people were complaining about lorazepam that was made by other companies...i had been on ativan -name brand...when Wyeth made it..but my wife retired (i was under her plan- she worked for a health insurance company)..so i had to go generic...things were fine for a few years when i noticed my dosage after all these years-no decades..just wasn't doing it for me....also at this time i noticed that my lorazepam suddenly got larger..looked at the bottle and saw Leading...didn't seem to bother me too much.....go forward 3 months..now it was really bothersome.....the anxiety...talked to a doc/pharmacist who told me of how lorazepam was now made in india, etc etc......it takes a few months before my body noticed a change......at times Leading seemed okay....others not...then actavis came along....which was far worse for me...of late its better....i think our brains/bodies require time to adjust..probably at different rates for everyone......Btw.....the name brand is no longer made by wyeth...i've heard it bothers some, not others...sorry for the repetitive stories but i think a background/history of taking a drug is important to what someone has to say about their experiences...

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Re: Joseph (# 1)

I have the same issue.. did you find Mylan brand of Lorazepam? Nothing else works for me.

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Re: Joyce (# 9)

I have the same issue.. did you find Mylan brand of Lorazepam? Nothing else works for me.

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Re: Henry (# 18)

I have the same issue.. did you find Mylan brand of Lorazepam? Nothing else works for me.

Should I try the brand name Ativan? What do you suggest?

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I earlier mentioned I switched from the brand name to Aurobindo and was doing well on it. I believe I made the switch on October 2.

For the last week and a half I've been having symptoms typical of withdrawal, which for me are neurological in nature: brain zaps, difficulty focusing, and a bad brain discomfort that is hard to describe (not pain).

I notice it's between the doses, like it doesn't quite last long enough until the next dose.

In the past when I've made drops in my medication, I've noticed that for 2-3 weeks I initially feel sleepier and calmer, and then the problems start.

That's what I'm noticing this time again. At first I actually though the Aurobindo was more potent, but now it seems like I'm feeling the withdrawal symptoms. I've had this before when I've made a cut to my dose where it hasn't shown up for several weeks.

My new insurance won't pay for the brand name. I'm going to try asking Bausch (Valeant) about the patient assistance program again, but the last time I asked they said I wasn't eligible.

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Re: Marcus (# 134)

Sorry to hear that about Aurobindo. That was something I considered trying because the jerks at Bausch now let all strengths of Ativan go out of stock in warehouses. When I called them in August they lied to me and said short term (2-3 month) backorder. When I called Walgreens last week they told me their wholesalers were listing all strengths of Ativan as “long term backorder”. I’ve been getting by getting sent around to the different pharmacies and filling with remaining stock on hand. There is now none left in any strength. I have enough to get me to my doctors appt early next month. If Bausch still hasn’t made Ativan available I will have my doctor switch me to generic Xanax (that drugs generics actually work, especially Greenstone) at least for the short term. Xanax doesn’t work as well for me in how I need a longer lasting anxiety reliever, but it’ll be effective enough and prevent acute withdrawal. Good luck to everyone, the BS never ends with these drug companies!

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Re: Henry (# 135)

My response could be idiosyncratic. It's always hard to know what is causing what. I am on multiple medications. It's just one data point. Obviously Mylan worked well based on the many data points here. I've never been on Xanax. I don't think my doctor would be willing to switch me.

Bausch must really have production problems. You think they'd be highly motivated to get the product to market when they sell it for thousands of dollars per bottle.

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Re: Henry (# 135)

I'm in the same boat you are. I was getting mine through their patient assistance program and was grandfathered in when they took it off from their carried drugs available for the PAP.

I got laid out in July when they said they didn't have any 1mgs left. So they put me on 0.5 and doubled it up. Went to order it last month and was told they don't have 0.5 left.

I've been taken Watson = Actavis or whatever it's supposed to be. At this time I really don't care who makes what. It still is junk all the way around.

I really think that big brother is closing in on benzodiazepines. But short of sounding paranoid I can't say that's true.

Marcus I'd still like to try the Aurobindo just to see if works better for than this Watson. But I can't get anyone to either order it for me or find it.

It's got to the point that pharmacies won't even answer your question unless you got a written script. They've taken over the doctor's authority.

Yes I understand they have a license that they could lose if something went wrong with a patient. But when they know the meds you've been on didn't work it's difficult to understand. Not to forget that they put us on a prescription monitoring program.

Bausch & Lomb told me they were only short for their PAP program and that I should try local pharmacies see if they can pick it up. I told them I could not afford it cash wise.

The pharmacies that I did get to speak to me said it wasn't available in any strength.

You can thank Leading and Major for causing these major shortages. I sometimes think that's why Mylan and other company stop making there's because theyccouldn't compete with them?

But my gut says benzos are being discontinued. Hope I'm wrong. This is just one big sad ordeal all the way around.

What bothers me the most is not being able to come out here without my email address popping up on this site. And wondering who some of the folks in this thread are. I know a few others have felt the same way.

Many of us need this for support. I know I do.

If I come up with any news that will help any of you I will post it.

Marcus you can call Bausch but I'm sure you'll get the same answers I did. I'm biting me tongue about what I'd really like to say. Good luck y'all!

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Re: Jibbs55 (# 137)

I too had a fear of benzos being discontinued which i mentioned to my shrink....he reassured me that there would be so many lawsuits against removal it would put many of the pharmas out of business or least cost them so much it wouldn't be worth the discontinuation....especially considering benzos are one of the most highly prescribed drugs out there despite the claims of articles saying the opposite...for the simple fact...nothing on the market can stop a panic attack so quickly as benzos......and with more and more stress-related anxiety happening these days, they are still being prescribed often. Yes, they are addictive....many have tried to cope with general anxiety or panic attacks without them by using alternative ways...they have failed miserably.

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My situation has gotten much worse on the Aurobindo.

I have psychic tension, can't focus, flickering feeling in the head, agitation--in short, withdrawal. I'm not epileptic but I feel that way, and I don't really have a good word for it. But it's all a very bad feeling in the brain.

I did some research. It's made by Aurolife for Aurobindo. Aurolife actually *does* make it here in the United States in New Jersey.

But if you Google Aurolife and look at the Google reviews, look at the Google Q&As, and look at the Glassdoor reviews for the AuroLife plant in New Jersey, people are saying that the tablets are completely watered down, that the quality control is terrible, and several employees on the Glassdoor site said they thought it was a miracle the plant hasn't been shut down.

I kept several of my name brand Ativan on hand as insurance, and I got so bad the other day I took one instead of my scheduled Aurobindo (I take 1 mg 3x a day). I was able to think again, I felt normal and like myself again.

By the next day was back to this new bad state. I've had periods where I've considered calling 911 because the feeling in my head is so bad. At my next fill I guess I'll ask for Teva/Actavis even though I've read the reviews here aren't that good, but I'm not sure it could be worse than this.

I'm wondering if their production is really inconsistent because I honestly felt that the Aurobindo was stronger when I first took it. My bottles come with the lot number so I can see that the change happened when I was switched to a newer lot. Or maybe it's just a delayed effect.

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Re: Marcus (# 139)

Sorry to hear this. It’s scary because the FDA claims what you are talking is “bioequivalent” to brand Ativan. I had very similar issues with Major/Leading and filed a report with FDA Medwatch because it was no better than taking a sugar pill.

Teva/Actavis is not as bad as Major but I still had significant problems. At this point you may want to discuss these problems with your doctor. Other options are trying a different benzodiazepine like Klonopin or Xanax. K is longer lasting than lorazepam and X is shorter. K has about a 10% reported side effect of depression which was an issue for me. There have also been some complaints of generic effectiveness. X generic works especially the Greenstone generic which is an “authorized generic” and greenstone is the generic drug arm of Pfizer. If I can’t get the brand Ativan next refill I will talk to my doc about switching. Good luck, keep us posted.

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