You don't save on your he alth, but the prices of medicines make you do it. Almost everyone who has recently visited pharmacies was unpleasantly surprised by the increase in prices for all drugs. Alas, keeping track of pharmaceutical companies is difficult, so everyone sets a price that is beneficial to him.
But for many years in pharmacies you can find a generic drug. What is it, why is this tool better or worse than the original and how to choose the right one - you need to deal with everything in order.
Analogues or copies?
Treatment is expensive these days, so some pharmaceutical companies overcharge while others offer cheaper products. Many people ask pharmacists when buying a generic what it is. Most often they answer with a simple phrase - a cheaper analogue. But why it is cheaper and whether it affects the quality, they do not always know even themselves.sellers. Moreover, they cannot answer the simple question of whether these drugs are safe.
Generic drugs appear on the shelves of our pharmacies after the patent for its production expires. Suppose today a unique cure for headaches is being created. Whoever invented it keeps the recipe secret and releases the drug himself, or sells the rights to use it to someone else. And in 20 years the patent will end and the formulation of this medicine will be available to everyone. Then generics will appear - the same funds with a simplified composition.
Generic and original drugs have the same active substance, but the impurities may differ. It takes years of research and testing to create any drug, which is why their inventors charge a large markup. And generic manufacturers already know how the active substance acts on the body, so they simply partially copy the original recipe.
Are generic pills safe?
No one can answer unambiguously about all drugs. It would seem that if the recipe is the same, then surely the action is the same? This is where the deception from the manufacturers begins.
Generic drugs are not an exact copy of the original drug. It was not in vain that the creator of the drug added others to the composition in addition to the active substance. Often even a small feature in the production can significantly affect the safety and efficacy of the drug. And the creators of generics are usually looking for cheaper raw materials for their products, andthey do not always have the opportunity to use the same technology in production. It's like cooking: having a haute cuisine recipe, not everyone will be able to repeat it due to lack of experience, lack of expensive quality ingredients and inattention.
There are more generics than many people think
Not all manufacturers indicate in the name of the drug that it is analogous to any. Therefore, there are very few products with the prefix “generic”, and often this is not even indicated in the instructions.
Usually, the name of the original drug will depend on the active ingredient in the composition. And generics (except for 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 production?
Of course, before any drug reaches the pharmacy, it is tested many times for effectiveness. According to Russian legislation, all new products are tested for bioequivalence. Thus, we do not get those medicines 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 checked.
But manufacturers are really trying, so today in the world more than 50% of the most popular drugs in the world are preciselygenerics. They are especially popular in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, as the price of original drugs is much higher.
For and against this choice
The main advantage of generics is their low price. It is achieved either by replacing minor substances with others, or by simplifying the production process.
The effectiveness of drugs is tested, so you won't get a placebo at a reduced price. And the list of drugs, which is partially given in this article, will help you find the necessary generics.
But the downside is that not all drugs work as strong as the originals. In addition, due to the lack of long and thorough clinical studies, there is no 100% guarantee that the generic will not cause allergic reactions.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis Generics
The three most popular drugs in the field of men's he alth problems are known to many. First of all, everyone is interested in Viagra, since today it is a well-known drug.
Not many people understand that any means that support men's he alth have a number of contraindications. And while original drugs were expensive, patients almost always consulted a doctor before buying them. So, they are contraindicated for heart patients, people under 18, those who have a curvature of the penis, and many others. And since cheap analogues appeared, the treatment of sexual dysfunction has become more accessible, which means that doctors are treated less often.
It doesn't matter whichgenerics ("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 made a better medicine than the original, but this 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 blood flow to the genitals. That is, if the problem is intimately connected precisely with insufficient blood supply, then the drugs will help, but in other cases they will be ineffective. It doesn't matter if you bought Levitra (generic), Cialis or Viagra Soft - their active ingredients, roughly speaking, increase blood pressure, due to which they work.
Generic drugs 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, it was not without analog drugs. If you want to know about all generics, the list of drugs in the table below.
Many coming to the pharmacy asked the pharmacist if there is 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 that today there are a huge number offunds of different price categories, which are generics.
For example, "Teraflu" generic. The drug itself was actively advertised on TV, and for sure, many were convinced of its effectiveness. It really quickly relieves many symptoms of colds and flu, and is simply indispensable if there is no time to get sick. The active substance of the drug "Teraflu" is paracetamol, but in addition to this, it also contains vitamin C and anti-allergic agents. And the very form of the drug (powder) significantly accelerates the effect of the drug. So, if the main task is to bring down the temperature - you can replace Teraflu with ordinary paracetamol (a difference of 200 rubles), and if you need a generic, then Influnorm will do (a difference of 100 rubles). The latter will not have some substances in the composition, there may be more contraindications, so before you "be led" to a lower price, read the instructions for the drug "Teraflu" generic.
Analogues of drugs in Russia
You need to know a lot about a generic drug: what is it, what is the difference between it and the original, what are the contraindications. Some of this information can be found in the instructions for the drug, some - ask your 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.
Rules for buying generics
It's better to ask your doctor to prescribe you a cheaper analogue of a medicine than to choose it yourself in a pharmacy
Drugs with a complex composition and a large number of active substances should not be replaced with cheap analogues
Just like original medicines, generics can also contain components that do not affect the effectiveness of the drug - for example, dyes or flavors. Therefore, even drug analogues can cost differently
Always consult your pharmacist before buying
