GENERICS

Quite a few brand name drugs patents have expired this year or two; that means that generic equivalents will be available soon. Since many patients do not understand what generics are, we in the pharmacy inform them of the following facts:

Generics are often made by the brand name manufacturers.
Generics must be approved by the FDA before they are made.
Generics are made to the same specifications as the brand.
The FDA publishes a list of approved generic drugs & companies.
Generics save between 20% to 80% of brand name prices.
Generics must dissolve and be absorbed in the body to the same specifications as the brand name drug (bioequivalence).
Tablet or capsule size or color may be different, this does not affect the potency or action of the drug.
Always ask your doctor for their recommendation
We have a pamphlet available that answers various questions.

The following brand name drugs have lost their patents:

Halcion (triazolam) - benzodiazepine hypnotic
Xanax (alprazolam) - benzodiazepine tranquilizer/anti-anxiety
Pamelor (nortriptyline) - antidepressant
Calan SR (verapamil) - sustained release anti-hypertensive
Amoxil chewable (amoxicillin) - chewable antibiotic
Orudis (ketoprofen) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Provera (medroxyprogesterone) - all strengths (2.5mg, 5mg & 10 mg)
Maxide (triamterene/HCTZ) - diuretic
Vicodin ES/Lortab 7.5 (hydrocodone/acetamin) - narcotic analgesic
Tagamet (cimetidine) - anti-ulcer
Lopressor (metoprolol) - anti-hypertensive (beta-blocker)
Ceclor (cefaclor) - antibiotic
Naprosyn (naproxen) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Micronase (glyburide) - hypo-glycemic for diabetes
Ansaid (flubiprofen) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Zantac (ranitidine) - anti-ulcer
Voltaren (diclofenac) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Cataflam (diclofenac potassium) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Cardiazem (diltiazem) - anti-hypertensive
Coumadin (warfarin) - anti-clotting drug
Lodine (etodolac) - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Zovirax (acyclovir) - anti-viral drug