Posted by madeline on November 12, 2006, at 20:28:31
In reply to Brand Name vs. Generic Drugs, posted by yesac on November 12, 2006, at 20:07:20
I'm sure this question will generate a lot of responses.
In theory there should be no difference in the generic preparation and the name brand of the drug.
In the US, the FDA mandates that generics be equivalent to the name brand in dose, pharmacokinetics etc...
However, for drugs that have a very narrow therapeutic window (coumadin, for example) if a patient is started on name brand, they stay on name brand.
Which, to me, suggests that there could be differences between the two, despite what the FDA mandates.
Generic drugs CAN be formulated differently than name brand with different inert compounds, but the drug is supposed to be the same.
Additionally, a lot of insurance companies will not pay for name brand once the generic is available, with exceptions for the drugs I mentioned above.
As far as going back and trying name brand, well, in my opinion, it won't make much difference in your response, but you never know.
I would talk to your doctor.
poster:madeline
thread:702989
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061110/msgs/702994.html