Version July 2025
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Do prescription medicines go by different names? —
Yes. Prescription medicines go by at least 2 different names: the generic name and a brand name. For example, atorvastatin is the generic name for a cholesterol-lowering medicine. Its brand name is "Lipitor." Non-prescription medicines also go by different names.
What is a generic name? —
This is the name of the active ingredient in the medicine.
What is a brand name? —
This is the name given by the company that makes the medicine. The brand name can be easier to say than the generic name, but they are still the same medicine.
How do I find out the brand and generic names of my medicine? —
The generic name is usually printed near the brand name on the prescription label (figure 1). You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist. It's important to know both names for each of your medicines.
What are generic medicines? —
These are copies of brand name medicines. They are usually less expensive. Generic medicines have the same active ingredient as the brand name medicine version.
What is the difference between a generic medicine and a brand name medicine? —
Generic medicines can have different "inactive" ingredients from the brand name medicine version. Inactive ingredients do not affect how the medicine works. For example, the generic medicine can have a different shape, color, coating, or flavoring than the original brand name version. Also, generic medicines usually cost less.
Do all medicines come as a generic version? —
No. Although all medicines have a generic name, for many newer medicines, you cannot buy a generic version. That's because the maker of the brand has a patent. A patent means only the maker of the brand version can sell the medicine for several years. When the patent expires, other companies can make and sell generic versions.
The table shows some examples of brand name medicines, their generic names, and whether less expensive generic versions are available (table 1).
Why do generic medicines usually cost less than brand name medicines? —
Makers of generic medicines can charge less for a medicine than the brand maker because they do not have to pay for developing or advertising the medicine. Developing new medicines and studying them can be very costly. When there is more than 1 maker of a generic medicine, competition can help keep the price down.
The table shows how prices compare for common brand name and generic medicines (table 2). There are also resources for other ways to get the lowest price for your prescriptions (table 3).
Can I save money by using generic medicines if I have drug insurance? —
Yes. You can save money even if you have prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Part D prescription plan. This is because insurance plans have lower co-pays for generic medicines than for brand name medicines. (The co-pay is the money you pay each time you get a prescription filled.) Also, if your prescription drug coverage is limited, your insurance might cover more of the cost if you use less expensive generic medicines.
Are generic medicines as good as brand name medicines? —
Yes. Makers of generic medicines must follow the same government rules about strength, quality, and purity as makers of brand name medicines. The government requires careful testing of generic versions to make sure they work as well as the brand name medicines.
How do I switch to a generic medicine? —
If you would like to save money by buying generic medicines instead of brand name medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are generic versions that could work for you.
Any time you switch a medicine, you must work closely with your doctor. For a few medicines, like thyroid medicines, doctors usually recommend sticking with the same type, whether it's a brand name or generic. With these types of switches, your doctor might need to check that the generic medicine is working right for you.
Any time you replace a medicine with another, for any reason, make sure you learn what the new medicine looks like and which one it is replacing. People sometimes accidentally take the same medicine twice because the brand name and generic pills look different, and they think they are taking 2 different medicines.
If there is a generic version of my medicine, will I get it automatically? —
Not always. It depends on laws in your area and instructions from your doctor. Check with your pharmacy to find out if there is a generic version and if you are getting it.
Do non-prescription medicines also have brand and generic names? —
Yes. Medicine you can buy without a prescription are called an "over-the-counter," or "OTC," medicines. These are sold under many different brand names and many different store brands, even though each has the same medicine in it.
One example is the common non-prescription pain reliever acetaminophen (called "paracetamol" outside the US). This is sold under many different brand names, such as Tylenol and Panadol, and under store brands with names like "Extra-Strength Pain Relief" tablets or "Non-Aspirin" tablets. All these can contain the same medicine, acetaminophen. Also, there are many cold and cough products that contain several different medicines, often including acetaminophen.
Taking too much of the same medicine could be harmful. Always read the generic names on the label of your non-prescription medicines to be sure you are not taking more than 1 product with the same medicine in it. In the US, the generic names of a non-prescription medicine are on the label or box, where it says Drug Facts and Active ingredient (figure 2).
Are "biosimilars" the same as generic medicines? —
Biosimilars are close, although not exact, versions of "biologic" medicines. Biologics are complex medicines made in a lab using living cells. They are very costly to develop and can be very expensive.
"Biosimilar" versions are available for some biologics. They might be less expensive. Biosimilars are carefully tested to be sure they are as safe as and work as well as the original medicine. Here are some other things you should know:
●For many biosimilars, your doctor will need to write a prescription specifically for the biosimilar medicine they want you to take.
●Certain biosimilars can be automatically substituted for the original biologic medicine at the pharmacy, depending on the laws in your area. These are called "interchangeable biosimilars."
●Biosimilars usually have their own brand name and a 4-letter sequence included after the generic name. Though the letters are different, the active ingredient is the same.
An example of a biologic medicine is infliximab (brand name: Remicade). This is used to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or plaque psoriasis. Biosimilars for Remicade are available. They include Avsola (generic name: infliximab-axxq), Inflectra (generic name: infliximab-dyyb), and Renflexis (generic name: infliximab-abda).
Patient education: Coping with high drug prices (The Basics)
Patient education: Medication safety (The Basics)
Patient education: Why taking your medicine as prescribed is important (The Basics)
Patient education: Side effects from medicines (The Basics)
