What are generic drugs, and why are they sometimes less expensive?

The biggest difference between generic and brand-name drugs is the price. Generic drugs might cost you significantly less than your equivalent brand-name medicines.¹ Because of this, generic drugs are a popular option for many patients. Currently, they make up about 90 percent of prescriptions filled in the United States.⁴

Aside from cost, there are some additional differences between generic and brand-name medicines you want to be aware of. 

Compared to their brand-name counterparts, generic drugs:

• Look different from brand-name drugs due to trademark laws¹
• May have different colors and flavorings¹
• May contain other differences that do not affect the performance, safety or effectiveness of the medicine⁵

Generic drugs tend to cost you less than their brand-name counterparts because the companies that apply to manufacture generic drugs do not have to repeat the animal and clinical (human) studies that were required of the brand-name medicines to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness.¹ Because these tests can be very expensive, the reduction in up-front research cost for generic drugs means that they are able to be sold to you at a substantial discount.

You can use our savings tool to search for generic drugs, coupons and other low-cost options.

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Yes. Generic drugs provide the same clinical benefit as their brand-name equivalent. That’s because they’re required to contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name medicines they’re modeled after, and they must be manufactured to work the same way.¹ The FDA Generic Drugs Program conducts a rigorous review of generic medicines to ensure that they all meet these standards.¹

Yes. Generic drugs are safe for you to use. All generic medicines must provide the same clinical benefit as their equivalent brand-name medicines. They must also meet the same high standards of quality and manufacturing as their brand-name equivalents.¹ While generic drugs have similar safety profiles to their branded counterparts, it’s important that you speak with your doctor prior to changing any of your prescriptions.

Yes. Generic drugs are covered under some insurance plans. In fact, for insurance plans that provide different copayment options, the use of generic drugs over their name-brand equivalents is sometimes encouraged. For example, the copay for a generic drug may be less than that of its name-brand counterpart.⁶ It’s important to check with your insurance company to know which drugs they cover and their associated copays.

Duloxetine is called a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and works by helping restore the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Duloxetine is used to treat depression and anxiety. It’s also sometimes used to help relieve specific kinds of nerve pain in patients with diabetes or to help relieve ongoing pain due to arthritis, chronic back pain or fibromyalgia.

This medication may improve your appetite, energy level, mood and sleep.

It may decrease nervousness and pain due to certain medical conditions. Read more about duloxetine.

Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by helping restore the balance of serotonin, a certain natural substance in the brain.

Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. Patients who take this drug may experience an improved energy level, feelings of well-being and decreased nervousness. Read more about escitalopram.

Like escitalopram, fluoxetine is an SSRI. It works by helping restore the balance of serotonin, a certain natural substance in the brain.

Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, a certain eating disorder (bulimia), obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

This medication may improve your appetite, energy level, mood and sleep and may help restore your interest in daily living.

It may decrease anxiety, fear, unwanted thoughts and the number of panic attacks you have. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions like checking, counting and handwashing) that interfere with daily living. Fluoxetine may lessen premenstrual symptoms, such as depression, increased appetite and irritability. It may decrease binging and purging behaviors in bulimia. Read more about fluoxetine.

Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

This medication may improve your appetite, energy level, mood and sleep and may help restore your interest in daily living.

It may decrease anxiety, fear, unwanted thoughts and the number of panic attacks you have. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions like checking, counting and handwashing) that interfere with daily living. Read more about sertraline.

Apixaban is an anticoagulant that works by blocking certain clotting proteins in your blood. It’s used to prevent serious blood clots from forming due to a certain kind of irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation, or after hip- or knee-replacement surgery. In the United States, apixaban is approved to treat certain types of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, and to help prevent them from forming again. Read more about apixaban.

Lisinopril belongs to a class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. It’s used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It is also used to help treat heart failure and to help improve survival after a heart attack. Read more about lisinopril.

As an antihistamine, cetirizine works by blocking histamine, a natural substance that your body makes during an allergic reaction. It’s used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as hives, itching, a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes.

Cetirizine does not prevent hives, nor can it help treat a serious allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis.

If your doctor has prescribed epinephrine to treat allergic reactions, always carry your epinephrine injector with you. Do not use cetirizine in place of your epinephrine. Read more about cetirizine.

Also an antihistamine, desloratadine works by blocking the action of histamine in your body. It’s used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as hives, itching, a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Read more about desloratadine.

Fexofenadine is another antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as hives, itching, a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Read more about fexofenadine.

No. Generic drugs have similar safety profiles to their brand-name counterparts. In fact, generic drugs must meet the same strict standards for quality, safety and effectiveness as brand-name drugs.¹

Generic medications must meet the same strict standards for dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability and quality as brand-name medications, and they must be taken in the same way. Additionally, generic medications carry the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.²

Generic medications must meet the same strict standards for dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability and quality as brand-name medications, and they must be taken in the same way, Additionally, generic medications carry the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.² However, in some instances, generic drugs can be substantially lower in cost.⁵ Before deciding if a generic drug is right for you, it’s important to speak to your health care provider about the relative differences between medications to help make an informed decision.

Your pharmacist can tell you whether a medication is a generic or brand-name drug. You can also look up credible online resources, such as the FDA website. You can also check online resources to see if a generic version of a particular medication is available.¹