They do not save on their health, but the prices of medicines make them do it. Almost everyone who has recently been to pharmacies was unpleasantly surprised by the increase in prices for all drugs. Alas, keeping track of pharmaceutical companies is difficult, so everyone sets the price that is beneficial to him.
But for many years in pharmacies you can find a generic drug. What is it, how is this tool better or worse than the original, and how to choose the right one - you need to deal with everything in order.
Analogs or copies?
Today, it is expensive to treat, so some pharmaceutical companies raise prices, while others offer cheaper products. Many ask pharmacists, buying a generic, what it is. They answer most often with a simple phrase - a cheaper analogue. But why it is cheaper and whether it affects the quality, even the sellers themselves do not always know. Moreover, they can not answer the simple question of whether these drugs are safe.
Generics on the shelves of our pharmacies appear after the patent for its manufacture expires with the creator of the drug. Let's say today a unique cure for a headache is being created. The one who invented it, keeps the formula secret and releases the drug itself, or sells the rights to use it to someone else. And after 20 years, the patent will end and the formulation of this medicine will be available to everyone. Then generics will appear - the same means with a simplified composition.
Generics and original drugs have the same active substance, but the impurities may vary. The creation of any medicine takes years of research and testing, which is why their inventors put a large margin. And manufacturers of generics already know how the active substance acts on the body, so they just partially copy the original recipe.
Are generic tablets safe?
Nobody can answer unequivocally about all drugs. It would seem that if the recipe is the same, then surely the effect is the same? And then the deception from the manufacturers begins.
Generics are not an exact copy of the original drug. It was not in vain that the creator of the drug added other substances to the composition besides the active substance. Often, even a small feature in production can significantly affect the safety and effectiveness of the drug. And the creators of generics usually look for cheaper raw materials for their products, and they do not always have the opportunity to use the same technology in production. It’s like with cooking: having a recipe for a gourmet dish, not everyone will be able to repeat it because of insufficient experience, lack of expensive quality ingredients and carelessness.
There are more generics than many think
Not all manufacturers indicate in the name of the drug that it is analogous to any. Therefore, goods with the prefix "generic" are very few, and often this is not even indicated in the instructions.
Typically, the name of the original drug will depend on the active ingredient in the composition. And generics (with the exception of some) are called trade names, which are often not related to the composition. This allows manufacturers to mislead customers by offering them a new drug with an old composition.
Do they control their production?
Of course, before any drug gets into the pharmacy, it is tested many times for effectiveness. Under Russian law, all new products are tested for bioequivalence. Thus, we do not get those drugs that have minimal effectiveness.
However, there is no service that checks the generic in more detail - what it is and how it affects different people is not studied. In the same way, equipment that produces tablets, ointments, drops, etc., is not particularly tested.
But manufacturers are really trying, so today in the world more than 50% of the most popular drugs are generics. They are especially popular in the treatment of erection dysfunctions, since the price of the original drugs is much higher.
The pros and cons of this choice
The main advantage of generics is the low price. It is achieved either by replacing secondary substances with others, or by simplifying the production process.
They check the effectiveness of the drugs, so you won’t get a placebo at a lower price. And the list of drugs that is partially given in this article will help to find the necessary generics.
But the minus is that not all drugs act as strongly as the originals. Moreover, due to the lack of long and thorough clinical trials, there is no 100 percent guarantee that the generic will not cause allergic reactions.
Generics "Viagra", "Levitra" and "Cialis"
The three most popular drugs in the field of male health problems are known to many. First of all, everyone is interested in Viagra, because today it is a drug by ear.
Not many people realize that any remedies that support men's health have a number of contraindications. And while the original drugs were expensive, patients almost always consulted a doctor before buying them. So, they are contraindicated in cores, people under 18 years old, those who have a curvature of the penis and many more. And since cheap analogues appeared, the treatment of sexual dysfunction has become more affordable, which means that doctors are less likely to go.
It doesn’t matter what generics (Cialis, Viagra or Levitra), you need to understand that they may have even more contraindications than the original drug. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility that the new manufacturer did the best medicine than the original, but it is rather an exception to the rule.
In general, when using any drugs to improve sexual life, you need to understand that their main component (sildenafil in Viagra, tadalafil in Cialis and vardenafil in Levitra) affects the flow of blood to the genitals. That is, if the problem is intimate due to insufficient blood supply, then the drugs will help, but in other cases they will be ineffective. It doesn’t matter, you purchased Levitra (generic), Cialis, or Viagra soft - their active components, roughly speaking, increase the pressure, due to which they work.
Generics for the treatment of viral and colds
The most popular ailments today are offered to be treated in many ways - both pharmaceutical and folk. And, of course, in this area could not do without analogue drugs. If you want to know about all generics, the list of drugs in the table below.
Many coming to the pharmacy were interested in the pharmacist, is there any drug cheaper than what the doctor prescribed. And sometimes the doctor himself was asked to immediately write the name of the cheapest medicine. It is in this area today that there is a huge amount of funds of different price categories, which are generics.
For example, “Teraflu” generic. The drug itself was actively advertised on television and for sure many were convinced of its effectiveness. He really quickly removes many of the symptoms of colds and flu, and is simply indispensable if there is no time to hurt. The active substance of the drug "Teraflu" is paracetamol, but in addition to this, it contains vitamin C and antiallergenic drugs. And the very form of the drug (powder) significantly accelerates the effect of the drug. So, if the main task is to lower the temperature - you can replace Teraflu with ordinary paracetamol (200 rubles difference), and if you need a generic, Influnorm (100 rubles difference) is suitable. The latter will not have certain substances in the composition, there may be more contraindications, so before you “drive” at a lower price, read the instructions for the drug “Teraflu” generic.
Analogues of drugs in Russia
You need to know a lot about the generic drug: what it is, what is the difference between it and the original, what are the contraindications. Part of this information can be found in the instructions for the drug, part - to find out from a pharmacist or doctor.
Different generics are sold in pharmacies, a table of these drugs will help you choose the most profitable option. But remember: not all analogues are equally useful.
Generic Purchase Rules
- It is better to ask the doctor to prescribe a cheaper analogue of the medicine to you than to choose it at the pharmacy yourself.
- Preparations with a complex composition and a large number of active substances should not be replaced with cheap analogues.
- In the same way as in the composition of the original medicines, generics may include those components that do not affect the effectiveness of the drug - for example, dyes or flavorings. Therefore, even drug analogues can cost differently.
- Before buying, always consult your pharmacist.
- Do not try to look for generics for antibiotics - the table will not help. This type of drug has a complex composition and active effect, so even if there is some kind of analogue, the chances are very good that it has more side effects.
- There are analogue drugs that are inferior in effectiveness to the original ones. Therefore, in essence, you have to accept twice as many, and, accordingly, spend more money.
- Never prescribe yourself a treatment yourself!