Generic - what is this newfangled word, and yes evenin relation to medical drugs? It turns out that this word can be called an analogue of the drug. But only conditionally. Why? Let's try to figure out what “generic” is, what are its features and differences from the original means, why are there so many generics now? Should I replace the familiar tools of a familiar manufacturer with them?
Briefly about generic
Generic - what is it?We will not delve into the wilds of pharmacology, we will explain with a simple example. Suppose a person invents a bicycle, patents his invention and starts selling it profitably. The neighborhood is the same factory, but they cannot invent something better than a bicycle. Previously, the patent was "eternal", that is, assigned to its first developer. Now the term of the patent is limited. So, if we imagine that the term of the right of the inventor of the bicycle has expired, then the factory next door has the right to produce the same product, but at a price several times smaller than the original. Why? Maybe because the steering wheel is no longer from good steel, but from a cheaper alloy, and the saddle is not leather, but from dermantine. Yes, and manufacturers - new to the business.
That is, the technique and technique plusmain components of the composition. But the additional components may be completely different from the original. Generic drugs are bicycles from that neighboring factory. Their action should be identical, but sometimes the side effects of the generic may be stronger than the original means.
Why produce generics?
One of the answers in the previous section. Because the second bike is not to be invented, but before the invention of the motorcycle it is still very early and / or there are no engineers, materials or the ability to produce it.
Generic, the price is much lower than the priceoriginal "bicycle", bought no less than its generous ancestor. As a result, the consumer has the drug cheaper, and the seller has a buyer. And all is well except for some nuances. Not all generics correspond to the quality of the original and exactly repeat its action. This happens at the expense of the seemingly appropriate, but not always completely repeating, original production technology. In addition, components that have undergone less serious processing and cleaning are sometimes used.
A list of generic popular drugs
Now, many drugs have their "successors". Famous brands replace their generics, the list of which is very long. We will mention the most famous and compare prices.
Now occupied and not inferior to their positions inDermatology "Bepanten" - cream, the active ingredient of which is vitamin D. The only minus of this cream is the price. But generic comes to replace - inexpensive, but acting similarly to the original "Dexpanthenol" (370 and 100 rubles, respectively).
Continuing the theme of creams and ointments, remember the cream-gel for tired feet and against Lioton thrombophlebitis. He also has a successor - Heparin Acre-Gel (370 and 250 rubles, the first and second in comparison).
The advertised "Mezim" (200 rubles for 10 pcs.) Also has an analogue in the world of generics - Pancreatin (40 rubles for 50 pcs.).
Also concerns the treatment of gastric diseases - Omez (180 rubles) and the Russian equivalent of Omeprazole (45 rubles).
Enough expensive and effective antipyreticmeans "Nurofen" (120 rubles) has a cheap analogue "Ibuprofen" with a similar active ingredient - 40 rubles. This also includes "Panadol" and "Paracetamol" (60 and 5 rubles, respectively).
The famous antibiotic "Sumamed" has the generic "Azithromycin".
For the treatment of fungal diseases, including thrush in women, the drug Flucostat has long been produced (200 rubles). But few people know about the existing analogue "Fluconazole" at the price of 15 rubles.
"Voltaren" and "Diclofenac" (180 first, 600 rubles. The second) will equally help with polyarthritis and rheumatism, but "Diclofenac" will make it much cheaper - 50-60 rubles.
When allergic manifestations, including seasonal, rescues "Zyrtec." But his generic Tsetirinaks is able to eliminate the symptoms of allergy as effectively, and is several times cheaper than other generics.
The list will continue antiviral (effectivewith herpes) "Zovirax" and "Acyclovir" (200 and 20 rubles. For comparison). Finish the list immunostimulant "Immunal", which is a tincture of Echinacea purpurovoy, respectively, its counterpart is the usual alcohol tincture of Echinacea.
Generics "Viagra"
The tool "Viagra" has long recommended itself topharmaceutical market as an effective violation of erectile function. A serious disadvantage of the tool is its price, it is quite high. To help men and their wallets - generics of Viagra: Generic Viagra (Malegra-100). The active ingredient in both drugs is sildenafil. It acts by stimulating blood circulation in the pelvic area. The price of the generic is about 6 times lower.
Preparations differ, of course, in price.And the manufacturer. The original tool produces the American pharmaceutical corporation "Pfizer". Generic made in India, which is a huge pharmaceutical monster and sells its products in all European countries.
The drug "Levitra" and the generic "Levitra"
Viagra’s direct competitor is the drug"Levitra" and its generic with the same name. Here, the original manufacturer is Bayer, a German company, and the generic is produced by an Indian pharmaceutical company. The active ingredient of both the original and the generic is vardenafil. Generic "Levitra" differs from the original drug in that the active agent in the second is stated in three dosages - 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg, then the Indian drug is available in only one variant - with vardenafil in an amount of 20 mg.
Generic or original?
There is an opinion about the generic, which is hardlyNot a fake. This judgment is wrong. In most cases, the generic is not inferior to the original. But sometimes the doctor can not only prescribe expensive original remedy, but also strongly recommend to buy it. Why is this happening? Does the doctor benefit from this? In fact, a specialist, recommending the original, is not looking for a benefit for himself, but for you. Especially if we are talking about the treatment of a child or person with associated chronic diseases. Deal in degrees of cleaning and special technology. For some drugs need expensive equipment, and cheap, they simply can not cost. A generic may have a similar composition, but non-compliance with the technology leads to a deterioration in quality and effect. Also snag can be in the form of release of the drug. For example, a pediatrician will most likely issue a child Summamed, not Azithromycin, because the first is released in syrup and suspension, the second is only in capsules that are difficult and sometimes impossible for a child to swallow.
Also, if we talk about the above drug"Levitra", then patients aged and with high pressure are recommended to take the drug, starting with a dosage of 5 mg. As we remember, generic is available only in the 20 mg version. It is not very convenient to break the tablet into four parts, it is easier to buy the optimally dosed version of the original.
Well, in general, generics (reviews of which are quite positive in the majority) are a good option with a limited budget. Moreover, some of them may cost dozens of times lower.
When it is advisable to buy a generic. Reviews
Above, we examined than the drug "heir"different from its "ancestor", and when it is worth buying the original. But what about generics? Reviews of drugs in most cases correspond to the reviews and their "successors". That is, if the person fits the original (which is the maximum action and the minimum side effects), then most likely, the generic will do. In addition, its purchase will significantly save the budget. The only thing we would like to emphasize is that consultation of a doctor is necessary both when purchasing an original product and when purchasing a generic.
conclusions
Generic - what is it? Replacing old drugs with new, cheaper ones? And yes and no, as there are differences.
Sometimes they are quite significant, as, for example, the degree of purification of the components of the drug or the amount of the main active ingredient. And sometimes it's just in the form of release.
In any case, before you buy the tool, carefully examine the composition. For example, in the case of "Panadol" and "Paracetamol" the composition of drugs is similar, and the price varies quite noticeably.
Pay attention when buying a generic worth on the amount of active funds. It may vary.
