3 ms·

And yet my mother is 100% convinced that the generic of a drug gives her chronic headaches while the "brand name" version doesn't. If I'm not mistaken, the for

And yet my mother is 100% convinced that the generic of a drug gives her chronic headaches while the "brand name" version doesn't. If I'm not mistaken, the formulation could be wildly different as long as they match kinetics, yield, and safety profiles set by the FDA, and an individual may have some issue with one formulation over another.

cbanek 8y ago
Parent comment states active ingredients are the same, but the "non-active" ingredients can be different. So there is the possibility that something is different in the generic that could cause a reaction. I've had to use transdermal medication (patches) before, and one of the inactive ingredients that changes is the adhesive, I've noticed that the "brand name" version didn't cause skin breakouts, and the generic did.
- perl4ever 8y ago
  You could also have differences in the manufacturing conditions, quality control, and such.
  - cbanek 8y ago
    Very true, same manufacturer could also have a bad batch for these reasons even.
exabrial 8y ago
The FDA certifies the entire formulation, which includes everything from the binding/filler chemicals, anti-caking agents, the pill coatings, and even the ink used to mark the pill (which is why imprinting is very popular). What you're referring to is the ability of a pharmacist to substitute one drug for another, if for instance it wasn't on your insurance's formulary (list of drugs they'll pay for). Drug A may be slightly different than Drug B, but the Drug B your insurance will pay for. Drug B might also _just happen to be_ a generic (because the pharmacist is trying to get your the best deal for your money). There's guidelines from the FDA, DEA, the state insurance commissioner, and state laws the pharmacists must be aware of so it varies greatly between states on what they're allowed to do. Made for a fun rules engine to implement in software. Doctors can mark a prescription as DAW (Dispense As Written) which then the pharmacist can make 0 substitutions. Insurance companies aren't usually a fan of said doctors.
- perl4ever 8y ago
  "The FDA certifies the entire formulation, which includes everything from the binding/filler chemicals, anti-caking agents, the pill coatings, and even the ink used to mark the pill (which is why imprinting is very popular)." Sometimes the FDA certifies a dosage of a generic based on a different dosage. This caused a problem not long ago when the dosage they assumed was fine didn't dissolve right, hence the absorbed dosage varied and was sometimes way too low. To add insult to injury, it was a psychotropic drug, so everyone assumed patients complaining were "just imagining things" for a long time.

cbanek 8y ago

Parent comment states active ingredients are the same, but the "non-active" ingredients can be different. So there is the possibility that something is different in the generic that could cause a reaction. I've had to use transdermal medication (patches) before, and one of the inactive ingredients that changes is the adhesive, I've noticed that the "brand name" version didn't cause skin breakouts, and the generic did.

perl4ever 8y ago
You could also have differences in the manufacturing conditions, quality control, and such.
- cbanek 8y ago
  Very true, same manufacturer could also have a bad batch for these reasons even.

exabrial 8y ago

The FDA certifies the entire formulation, which includes everything from the binding/filler chemicals, anti-caking agents, the pill coatings, and even the ink used to mark the pill (which is why imprinting is very popular). What you're referring to is the ability of a pharmacist to substitute one drug for another, if for instance it wasn't on your insurance's formulary (list of drugs they'll pay for). Drug A may be slightly different than Drug B, but the Drug B your insurance will pay for. Drug B might also _just happen to be_ a generic (because the pharmacist is trying to get your the best deal for your money). There's guidelines from the FDA, DEA, the state insurance commissioner, and state laws the pharmacists must be aware of so it varies greatly between states on what they're allowed to do. Made for a fun rules engine to implement in software. Doctors can mark a prescription as DAW (Dispense As Written) which then the pharmacist can make 0 substitutions. Insurance companies aren't usually a fan of said doctors.

perl4ever 8y ago
"The FDA certifies the entire formulation, which includes everything from the binding/filler chemicals, anti-caking agents, the pill coatings, and even the ink used to mark the pill (which is why imprinting is very popular)." Sometimes the FDA certifies a dosage of a generic based on a different dosage. This caused a problem not long ago when the dosage they assumed was fine didn't dissolve right, hence the absorbed dosage varied and was sometimes way too low. To add insult to injury, it was a psychotropic drug, so everyone assumed patients complaining were "just imagining things" for a long time.