Should i buy generic

Indeed, past research has shown that most of the time, generics seem to perform the same as the brand-name drugs. A large number of studies albeit mostly small ones have looked at whether specific generic medications are the same as the brand-name originals, he says. There are a few isolated cases — including studies on drugs to treat certain eye conditions — that do suggest that some generic drugs don't always produce the same response in patients.

But for the most part, generics appear to be just as good at treating conditions as the brand-name formulations, says Dr. This brings us to the Canadian study that seems to show differences between generic and brand-name medications. While it didn't examine how well these medications performed when it came to reducing blood pressure, it did raise the question of whether patients experienced more serious side effects from the generic medications than the original versions of the blood pressure drugs researchers looked at.

They examined data for the periods 24 months before and 12 months after the generic versions of these medications went on the market. They found that before the generic versions became available, about one in 10 people taking the blood pressure drugs had to go to the emergency room or be hospitalized each month.

But the question is, did this increase result from problems with the generic versions of these medications? Or were there other factors that occurred in this time frame? Maybe the generic form was manufactured with a different inactive ingredient that caused patients to have more side effects. Or maybe a slight variation in the chemical formula made people react differently. But the increase in medication-associated events could have also been a result of problems with the study and the patient population researchers followed.

This study did not look follow a single group of people — namely, people who were on the brand-name version of the drug and then switched to the generic. Rather, researchers looked at all people who experienced problems after taking the generic drug, whether or not they originally took the brand-name medication. This means that some people who had never taken the brand-name medication experienced a problem after they started taking the generic blood pressure medication.

It's possible they would have had the same problem if they had taken the brand-name form of the drug. In addition, because the brand-name drugs were more expensive, it's also possible that a disproportionate number of older, sicker individuals, who couldn't afford the brand-name drug, were now able to take the generic form. This group of first-time users may have been more prone to side effects because of their health — not because of the quality of the generic medication.

With this in mind, it's hard to truly conclude that differences between the brand-name and generic medications were really the culprit in causing these events. So the question now is, if your doctor or pharmacist offers you a generic form of your current medication, should you take it?

The short answer in most cases is, yes. Many of them are highly expensive," says Dr. As a result of this high cost, some people may skip doses or not take a drug at all because they just can't afford it. In this way, generics may be a clear winner. In many states pharmacists are required to provide you with the generic version of the medication, unless your doctor specifies otherwise. FDA staff continually monitors all approved drug products, including generics, to make certain the medicines at all levels of the supply chain, from active pharmaceutical ingredients APIs to products being sold to consumers, are safe, effective, and high quality.

FDA also monitors and investigates reports of negative patient side effects or other reactions. The investigations may lead to changes in how a product brand-name and generic is used or manufactured, and FDA will make recommendations to health care professionals and the public if the need arises. Contact your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider for information on generic medicines. For more information, you can also:.

Comparing generic and innovator drugs: a review of 12 years of bioequivalence data from the United States Food and Drug Administration. Ann Pharmacother. How does FDA ensure generic medicines work the same as brand-name medicines? Why does a generic drug look different from the brand drug? Why do generic medicines often cost less than the brand?

What standards must generic medicines meet to receive FDA approval? Is a generic of my brand-name medicine available?

How does FDA monitor side effects or safety issues with generic medicines? Where can I find more information about generic medicines? What are generic drugs? Additional Resource. Additional Resources. And according to the money-saving app Brandefy , there are a number of generic brands that fit the bill. If you absolutely refuse to use tap water or, unfortunately, can't , then buying store-brand water versus name-brand water, like Evian or Fiji, will save you a ton at the grocery store, writes U.

Something even cheaper? Investing in a filter and a reusable water bottle. No one wants to serve their pup anything less than the best. But as the Daily Meal points out, name-brand distributors often mislead consumers by adding healthy-sounding words and phrases that lead them to believe they're purchasing the most nutritious option, even when a store-brand option is just as good.

Take the time to read the ingredients to see which is best. According to Consumer Reports , when purchasing diapers, you should always opt for the highest-count possible, as it will save you money down the line. To compound your savings even more, the magazine recommends buying store brand, too. Condiments are some of the easiest items to save on—which is a good thing, since most families tend to go through them rather quickly.

Store-brand options are nearly always comparable to their name brand counterparts. In fact, Whole Foods brand offers customers discounted condiments that are also organic and GMO-free. The only exception is ketchup.

Based on our totally unscientific analysis here at Best Life, we're convinced that any brand but Heinz will taste subpar. While generic cereals often have hilarious names—"Crisp Crunch", "Fruit Spins", and "Apple Orbits", to name a few—you shouldn't dismiss them. In one taste test by Thrillist , reporters found that most store-brand and generic cereals were more flavorful and contained better ingredients than their name-brand competitors. While fresh-squeezed orange juice typically scores highest on consumer taste tests, store brands, such as Whole Foods' , are also crowd-pleasers, according to The Kitchn.

Since store-brand orange juices often contain the same ingredients as their name brand counterparts, it's a no-brainer that you'll want to pick up the cheaper option. According to a Consumer Reports taste test , Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have quality and inexpensive whole grain pasta compared to other name brand options. Pick them up for a pasta night that's as low-cost as it is delicious.

Unlike other fresh produce—which you should always purchase fresh and unpackaged—precut salad mix is worth considering. And if you decide to buy it, it's always less expensive, and just as healthy and delicious, to choose the generic variety, reported Business Insider. Point taken.

Though the USA Today acknowledges that generic batteries don't last as long as their name-brand counterparts, the steeply discounted prices make them worth it, since you'll still be saving enough money in the end. To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to follow us on Instagram! All Rights Reserved.