Generics versus brandname

[Mayleng]

A fellow schwab member (Iqra) posted this and I thought it might be helpful to the members here:

There have been a couple of mentions lately about generics vs. brand-name meds. The Feb. Harvard Mental Health letter included this explanation which is the clearest I've read: The FDA requires that generics must contain the same amt. of active ingredient, and deliver about the same amt. into the bloodstream-- from 20% less to 25% more than the brand name. The inactive ingredients are different, which may change the way the active ingredient is absorbed, delivered, and eliminated. In testing new generics, the volunteers are usually given relatively small doses, so in real patients taking higher doses the actual difference could be greater than that -20% to +25%. So you may not need to pay the extra $ for brand name or fight with your insurance company if the doctor is willing to work with you on raising or lowering the dose according to symptoms.

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www.schwablearning.org/message_boards/view_messages.asp?thread=20008

[healthy11]

Since the old Schwablearning files have been archived and kept by Greatschools.net, the new link to the Generic Medication discussion listed above is schwablearningforumarchive.greatschools.net/thread/20008.html

[Mayleng]

Thanks healthy.