Brand X Medicines, Just as Good As Name Brands?

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
Do you think that the Walmart version of Benedryl or Eye Drops for example, is as good, effective and same ingredient quality as the name brands?

What about prescription drugs, are the Generics just as good as the original name brands? I don't know if I trust that, some things I am compelled to spend the extra money and get the name brands if I have the choice. Are you the same?
 

I prefer generics, but always read the ingredients label to make sure that the 'active' compounds are provided in the greatest amount for the money.

My health care provider(Kaiser Permanente) fills prescriptions with the generic version, as long as it is equivalent to the meds prescribed.
 
I hope you're right Thomas! I have Kaiser too, haven't had many prescriptions filled, but if they do use generics, I don't have a problem if it's truly the same quality and strength.
 

SB, here's what Kaiser says about generics:

Your plan's drug formulary may include both brand-name and generic drugs.


  • Brand-name drugs are produced and sold under the original manufacturer's brand name.
  • Generic drugs are produced and sold under their generic names after the patent of the brand-name drug expires.
Although the price is usually lower, the quality of generic drugs is the same as brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are also just as effective as brand-name drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that a generic drug contain the same active drug ingredient in the same amount as the brand-name drug. However, a generic drug may differ in other ways, such as color, flavor, shape, or inactive ingredients.
Click to expand...

Kaiser Formulary
 
One example I know of within the past year, a friend's name brand antidepressant having very differing effects, from the top of the line generic. After the doctor wrote a specific request for the name brand--not the generic--did the insurance company approve payment.

Pharmaceuticals, in general, are best to avoid. imo.
 
I think it depends on your doctor's opinion of gerneric brand pills if you decide to take them in preference to the branded
ones .My doctor whom I've been seeing since 1988 said to me would you put cheap oil in your car?
 
With OCDs I've used, I notice a superior difference in the effectiveness of name most brands compared to store brands. Not quite as much in the case of prescribed generics, but I haven't been prescribed more than a few.
 
jnos said:
One example I know of within the past year, a friend's name brand antidepressant having very differing effects, from the top of the line generic. After the doctor wrote a specific request for the name brand--not the generic--did the insurance company approve payment.

Pharmaceuticals, in general, are best to avoid. imo.
Click to expand...

jnos, do you know the name of that drug?
 
jnos said:
One example I know of within the past year, a friend's name brand antidepressant having very differing effects, from the top of the line generic. After the doctor wrote a specific request for the name brand--not the generic--did the insurance company approve payment.

Pharmaceuticals, in general, are best to avoid. imo.
Click to expand...
I take a mixture of both generic and name brand but it took a year to get the tweaks right. I have to pay out of pocket for my medicine so name brands are expensive, however generics sometimes have a different effect. It is best to try and then determine what is right for you. So I can understand the docs insistence that name brand be used.
 
I understand that it is not only the active ingredient in a medicine that is important, but the others that make up the drug. These can affect the rate at which the drug is absorbed and processed by the body. In some cases this may not be important, but in others it may greatly affect the efficacy of the medicine. If the doctor precsribes a specific brand, I'd stick to that.
 
Capt Lightning, you are absolutely right. The fillers in the generic drugs can speed up absorbancy or slow it down. This can be very important in certain drugs. My doctor tends to give me the generics when that isn't an issue.The active ingredient by law, has to be the same. Another problem which really doesn't affect the drug itself, is the conditions under which they are made. Many come from other countries where the sanitary conditions are horrible. I personally know a person who's job sent him to these facilities where the drugs are made and he said the factories are deplorable. Yet with the price of drugs, many of us have to overlook that, and I am one of them.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top