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
poster:PaulB
thread:73843
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010804/msgs/73843.html