Generic or brand name prescriptions????????

Question

I have taken the drug lortab for years and it just is not working anymore. A friend suggested trying the brand name of it, that there is a big difference. (besides the price) Until I find a different alternative, I am really needing to know if brand is the way to go. Like when I buy excedrin generic, it does not work so well. Yet when I buy the brand excedrin, I feel pain relief. So would that apply to prescription meds too??Someone please help me know what to do!!!!

Answer 1

There is no difference in brand and generic drugs. In order for them to be approved to be sold as the generic they have to be equivalent to the brand. Most people that say the brand is better are those who are probably addicted to their meds. You probably should talk with your doctor about changing the milligram on your dose or possibly changing the medication completely as your body has probably just gotten so use to the hydrocodone that it just doesn't help anymore. There are stronger drugs out there. I don't know what strength hydrocodone you are on, but the highest strength is 10mg. please talk to your doctor before spending the extra money that will be for nothing.

Answer 2

I'm just in awe at how many people are so misinformed and it's usually the pharmacy techs. Just because something has the same active ingredient does NOT always mean it works the same. It's all about the BA (bio-availability) of the active ingredient. The INactive ingredients play a HUGE roll in how well the ACTIVE ingredient is absorbed into the system. With most generics, they do not have the same quality control standards as the brand name therefore they can put whatever fillers they want. The brand names do about 18 years of research to make the BEST product and that is the real reason for the price, not just the name like everyone thinks.. It's very easy to assume that though just because it's the same active ingredient, it must work the same. Gotta think outside the box on this one. I used to think they were all the same until i started buying generic ibuprofin and noticed that it did NOTHING for my headaches.. switched back to advil and always got relief within 15-20 minutes. Every single time. And it's NOT placebo because i actually thought they would work the same way (if placebo was involved then I should have gotten relief)

anyway, not ALL generics are inferior, i just know that with ibuprofin, usually the brand names are better because of the BA.

Answer 3

There is no real difference between generic and brand medications. The FDA must approve any generics for use. The chemical makeup is the same. There may be some additives that can cause an allergic reaction but this usually is not a problem for most people.

I have never had trouble with generic medications and I find the price difference is well worth it. I take Walgreen's brand aspirin and my prescription medications are all generic, except for my insulin because there is no such thing as generic insulin (I wish there was).

I think some of it is psychological. You have trained your brain to think that brands are better. I think if you get off that train of thought, you might find that generics work equally well.

As for the Lortab, you have probably built up a resistance to it. That is very common with medications used over a long period of time, especially with narcotic painkillers. Maybe you should think about switching to a non narcotic alternative. I have back pain a lot because of what I do for a living (EMT) and I take Toradol (generic name is ketoprofen). It works like a charm.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

"I am not a doctor and cannot diagnose" - In general, generic and trade brand medications are the same. They contain the same "active ingredients" or what most people consider the medicine. They can have some differences in "inactive ingredients" or processing. Occasionally people respond differently to generic and trade brand name medications but it is few and far between. Lortab is a narcotic pain reliever, also known as Vicodin. If you have been taking this medication for years you can develop a tolerance to the dosage you are taking, which in turn can make the medication seem ineffective. Another scenario may be that overall your pain or symptom is worsening and no longer is calmed by your normal regimen. Either way, it is suggested that you seek an evaluation. This way you can find any worsening or complication of your pain, and can develop a new or updated plan of care that will be effective, including altering or adjusting your medication for pain management under a doctor's order. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Generic Name For Lortab

Answer 7

Generic medications and brand name drugs are considered to be therapeutically equivalent - menaing that they are the same dosage form, have the same active ingredient in it and have passed rigorous in vivo (in the body) tests to assure that they act the same way in the body. However, that being said, some medications, specifically ones where mental issues come into play, like anti-scizophrenic drugs, the patient can effect the outcome. There are many instances of patients such as these decompensating or otherwise suffering adverse effects when switching from the brand to generic or vice versa. It doesn't mean that one is less effective, it just means that the patient perceives it to be different. There have been studies that when the brand and generic look exactly the same, this doesn't happen. The other time that brand and generic are not "identical" is in drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range, or requiring titrating or monitoring to assure that the correct dose is given. An example of this is thyroid medications. Most doctors prefer not to switch their patients, becasue of the increased monitoring. Not to say the brand is better - but just that there might have to be minor tweaks in the dosage. As for over the counter drugs - any drug that requires FDA approval prior to marketing that is OTC - like Claritin and its generics, require the same rigorous approval process that prescription drugs require. Other OTC medications, like aspirin, are considered "Monograph", which means that they don't need prior approval for selling it - all you need is an approved manufacturing facility. They are required to test to certain standards, but there is no requirement to test in human subjects. Generic drugs cost less because of the lesser amount of time and money put into development.

Answer 8

Lortab/Vicodin are the brand names for Hydrocodone. So, you already have been taking the brand name. Besides, there is no difference. Since you say you've been taking it for years, tolerance is high for that particular drug now. I'm surprised your doctor would keep you on them for that long anyway. If you are taking low mgs of Lortab, then you might ask to have your dosage changed, but if you are already taking 10's then you should just ask for a change in your medication all together.
There are no differences in generic and brand name drugs.
FDA regulates all drugs and they all have to be of the same ingredients.

Answer 9

Lortab Generic Name

Answer 10

I believe that there is very little difference in Brand name and generic prescription drugs , I have taken anti depressants for quite some while and first started on Zoloft but now take the generic version with no change in how the drug works.