What Are Generic Medications?

Despite the name difference, generic and name-brand medications work in the same or similar way.

Generic medications are usually just as effective, but cost up to 85 percent less than name-brand alternatives. They go through all the same regulations and inspections that name-brand drugs do. You can trust that when you get the generic medication, you aren’t settling for less.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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