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Safety and Savings with Generic Drugs BY REBECCA VITKUS
When shopping for food, there is sometimes a difference in the quality of generic brands compared to their name-brand counterparts. This may cause patients to hesitate when they are prescribed generic drugs or are looking for an over-the-counter remedy, but there is nothing to fear. In fact, generic drugs can help your health and your wallet.
So what’s the difference between generic and name-brand drugs? According to Katie Vogel Anderson, Pharm.D., BCACP, who works as a clinical pharmacist/clinical assistant professor for the UF Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine, and Kristin Rieser, Pharm.D., PGY-1 pharmacy resident from the UF College of Pharmacy, “Both name-brand and generic drugs have the same active ingredient. However, inactive ingredients may be different. Typically, generic drugs are less expensive than name-brand drugs.” Research shows that generic drugs work just as effectively as name-brand drugs, and there are no serious dangers in opting for generic drugs for either adults or children. Drs. Anderson and Rieser explained that in order to be approved by the FDA, generic drug companies have to prove that their generic version of the drug is equivalent to the name-brand version.
When considering price, the cost of a generic drug is on average 80 to 85 percent lower than the name-brand drug, and a cheaper price does not mean lower quality.
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With proven research and qualified professionals confirming that generic drugs are safe to use, it makes sense that many people opt for the more inexpensive product. Take note that there are many variations of generics as well, so an ongoing generic prescription may result in a change with each refill. “Many different manufacturers can make the same generic drug, which means that tablets or capsules may look different, even though they are the same medication,” Anderson and Rieser explained. “For example, one month, your prescription might be filled with oblong, white tablets, and then the next month, your prescription may be filled with circular, yellow tablets.” If you have concerns about your specific prescription, don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for more information. “If you’re ever in doubt, please ask your pharmacist!” Anderson and Rieser said. “We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.” ✽
gigglemag.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
COMMON GENERIC
SUBSTITUTES Zolpiden for Ambien (treats insomnia) Digoxin for Lanoxin (treats heart issues) Ibuprofen for Motrin (treats pain and fever)
Polymyxin B/Gramicidin/ Neomycin for Neosporin (treats skin conditions) Acetaminophen for Tylenol (treats aches and pain) Dexmethylphenidate for Focalin (treats ADHD) Famotidine for Pepcid (treats ulcers and acid reflux) Please consult with your physician regarding the use of any medications discussed in this article.
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“While there may be some specific circumstances when name-brand drugs are required, for the most part, it is not dangerous to substitute a generic drug for a name-brand drug for your children,” Anderson and Rieser shared.
“In Florida, pharmacists are required by law to substitute the less expensive generic drug for the more expensive name-brand drug,” Anderson and Rieser said. “If a patient cannot tolerate a generic drug, then a physician may prescribe a name-brandonly drug by specifying that it is medically necessary on the prescription.”