I have read some conflicting reports about whether generic-brand OTC drugs are as effective as name-brands – even though the active ingredient (like acetaminophen) might be the same, the name-brand (like Tylenol) might have inactive ingredients that somehow make it more effective than a generic – does this make sense to people who understand the science? Also, if you do buy generic brands, are there any that are better than others?
As my hospital uses generics, I have always bought them myself. Occasionally a patient will have an issue with a certain generic, but that is very rare. Just go for it. Buy what is reasonable in cost. But am interested in other opinions.
“…does this make sense to people who understand the science?”
It certainly does! Formulation can make a world of difference in how the active ingredient gets absorbed by the body. So even though the API is the same, the effect of the drug could be different due to difference in formulation. Generics makers do not always copy the original formulation. Sometimes, they just don’t want to bother, sometimes, they are precluded by patents covering specific formulations, etc. In theory, generics makers have to prove that their own formulation of the drug results in equivalent bioavailability and therapeutic effect, but in practice, the end result - product on the shelf - may still work differently.
@BunsenBurner, that’s interesting. A few years ago I bought the generic version of Allegra at WalMart. I usually buy it at RiteAid. The entire month I was using the Walmart pills, I kept having itchy eyes and sneezing. When it ran out and I bought my usual RiteAid stuff, the symptoms stopped. I was wondering if it was my imagination. Maybe not.
We save a TON of money by always buying generic OTC meds - diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Sominex, etc), acetaminophen ( Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen(Aleve), loratidine(Claritin).
Also generics of Tums, Mylanta, low-dose aspirin, cough and cold medicines, other antihistamines like generic Allegra and Zyrtec, acid reducers (Tagamet, Prilosec, etc)
They all work just fine. Huge waste of money to buy the name brands, IMO. Physicians also recommend trying the generics of these.
It also pays to shop around. Target’s generic Claritin is way cheaper than even the sale price at Walgreen’s and CVS. did some further checking this week and found that our local discount grocery chain even beats Target’s price, and by a substantial margin. Like the others, it works great!
It is not your imagination, Consolation. Mr. B had the same issue with his Claritin, however, he was able to find another generic version that worked well.
We all have unique genes, and it is quite possible that some of us would have been “outliers” in the equivalency studies of generics. When one generic version does not work as well as the brand name drug, it is prudent to try another version. Same goes for prescription drugs!
I would be more concerned about the quality of generic prescription drugs. generics are not the same. yes your insurance company and Health and human services want you to believe that it saves them serious $$$. but that does not mean all generics are bad even for prescriptions, it is just hard to find out in an easy fashion. a doctor explained to me that even the drug stores prefer selling generics because the % mark up is higher for them even if the overall cost they sell it at is lower. OTC for aspirin and stuff I am less concerned about.
I buy and use generic OTC drugs…things like aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. ditto cold meds.
Sometimes, it is not the formulation issue but a QC issue. Be especially careful with prescription drugs, even brand name drugs, coming from mail order pharmacies. Dog knows who really made them and QC’d them!
For example, the authors of this article tested several versions of a well known drug and discovered:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212438/?report=classic
Speaking of online pharmacies:
http://www.nabp.net/programs/consumer-protection/buying-medicine-online/
I always buy generic OTC.
I think at one time there was talk of making “super” generic RX…which would be generic but the manufacture making the RX would use the formula with 100% match provided by the comapny that invented it for less than name brand but more than a generic …not sure what happened to that idea.
I do buy generic or store brand medications. but I also try and determine where they are imported from.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/world/asia/medicines-made-in-india-set-off-safety-worries.html?_r=0
There is seldom a problem with using generic drugs, and truthfully, I would rather see the drugstore get the profit than the highway-robber drug companies. I prescribed a new antibiotic to a patient last year for a bladder infection. It was the only oral drug available for the bug he had, and the cost for a 10-day course (20 pills) was $2000. The cost of a course of treatment for hepatitis C is $80,000 to $100,000. Sure, insurance will cover it. That’s a big part of why insurance costs so much. In a lot of cases, it feels to me like the drug companies are saying, “Your money or your life.”
The area where problems can crop up is with timed release meds. The active ingredient in the pills is the same but the release mechanism can vary, and isn’t always equivalent.
@CIEE83 …Express scripts isn’t going to pay for my sons Focalin XR. It’s $369 per month without insurance help. With it, it costs around $160. We are going to the doctor to discuss genetic Focalin, but now I’m more wary after reading your post since this is extended release. This medicine has worked great for him for 6 years and it ticks me off more than I can say. I’ll pay it if I have to, but that’s $4,000 a year.
I don’t take anything myself but I have a close friend who takes a lot of stuff. She is just trying the newly available generic Lunesta after the price went up and she has not been taking it. Other products were too strong or too groggy making and she has not been sleeping well for awhile which means she falls asleep in the day. Now they are just coming out with generic Abilify which will save a lot of money (and hopefully help a lot of people who can’t afford it.)
We use the Costco generic Zyrtec and have found it very reasonable and works fine. We get generic Sudafed fromnCVS and it works fine at considerable savings over brand. We often get generic ibuprofen and aspirin as well. We haven’t noticed much, if any difference for us. For some folks, there is a difference, especially if they are allergic to any ingredients.
I always buy OTC unless I know that the generic doesn’t work right for me.
For example, I’ve never been able to find a suitable OTC for Excedrin Migraine but the OTC cheap version of Omeprazole actually works better for me than the name brands. I’ve never found allergy or pain med OTCs to work better or worse so I stick with the cheap ones.
I buy OTC generic’s for myself and DH. However for my kids I have spent the extra on the name brand. I just feel that especially when they are still growing it’s best to go with the one I know that works the way it should.
Sorry I missed the OTC in the title. Yes on generic Naproxen. I don’t use pain relievers much but friend does frequently and is allergic to tylenol. I don’t know if I find anything particularly effective or ineffective personally.