Generic drugs often are a lower-cost option to brand-name drugs. A generic drug has the same active ingredient as its brand-name version, but might contain different fillers or coatings.
Important things to know about generic drugs:
- Generic equivalent drugs always come in the same form (for example, a tablet or capsule) and dose as their brand-name version. You don’t have to take more of a generic drug to get the same results as its brand-name version.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes sure all FDA-approved generic drugs are as safe and effective as the brand-name medication.