Do generic drugs work?

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 09:35AM #1

As the title says to generic drugs work in treating illness as well as the non generic drugs?

I'm on my second course of anti biotics to treat a chest infection and the first set of anti biotics were generic which didn't seem to work, when I went back to the doctor and got another prescription I told the chemist that I didn't want the generic anti biotics, low and behold finally the infection is starting go.

sbsquarepants · 24-10-2018 09:36AM

Your second dose of generics would have cleared it just the same.

The difference in generics is just the brand name.

Foweva Awone · 24-10-2018 09:36AM

They are the exact same.

weldoninhio · 24-10-2018 09:37AM

Are jeans still jeans if they don't have a brand name on them??

Of course they are.

Generic drugs are the exact same drug as non-generic without a brand name on them.

FutureGuy · 24-10-2018 09:39AM

Same drug, different company. I always ask for generics when I get any medications.

I'm not a doctor but I suspect that your infection needed two courses of antibiotics. Not uncommon.

somesoldiers · 24-10-2018 09:40AM

Hope so- I have been taking medication for the last 12 years since having 2 stents put in aged 30. Blood pressure, aspirin and cholesterol lowering medication. My monthly bill has gone from E140 per month to E65 every six months as various generics have been available throughout the years

of course this also means that
1) e65 per 6 months means I can afford to get all in one batch and not pay e15 dispensing fee each month (e5 per item)
2) I am claiming less back of the gubberment (20%)

win/ win

murpho999 · 24-10-2018 09:41AM

Of course generics work.

You only think they don't work.

These "chest infections" that people here get told they have are generally just colds, which are viruses, which are not impacted by anti biotics, generally just clear after they have run their course, and I'd say that's what has happened.

24-10-2018 09:42AM

Floppybits wrote: »

I told the chemist that I didn't want the generic anti biotics, low and behold finally the infection is starting go.

Unfortunately it is hard to tell. There are quite a lot of studies exploring that particular question but nothing near 100% conclusive. Quite often the drug itself is the same between a generic brand and another one. But the delivery technology is different - for example.

There is also the placebo effect. If a person has a higher level of confidence in an established label than a generic one - then the potential for placebo is magnified.

Perhaps _neither_ of your antibiotics are helping. You are just getting better naturally as you would have if you had taken neither of them. But timing alone might make you think the new brand is doing better than the genetic.

Unfortunately in the world of medicine - and particularly in the world of woo medicine and alternative medicine - people generally just give credit to whatever they were doing when they noticed they were getting better. No matter how nonsense it is.

Thus you have everything from homeopathy to people spreading Vicks on their feet - and swearing that it works for them. For no other reason than they just happened to start getting or feeling better just as they started in with said nonsense.

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 09:43AM

BigCon wrote: »

No, based on a sample size of one, we can definatively conclude that generic drugs don't work as well as the same ingredient brand name drugs.

Jaysus untwist your knickers there, is this the way to treat everyone who asks a simple question?

knipex · 24-10-2018 09:44AM

Not only do they work but they save patients and the healthcare system a fortune.

Generic medicines are copies of branded medicines who's patents have expired and are manufactured to the same standards as branded medicines.

That is true for antibiotics, beta blockers, proton pump inhibitors, as well as aspirin, paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

For a very very small minority of patients some of the "non active" ingredients, (fillers, bulkers, coloring etc) on some brands may cause side effects not experienced when using other brands using different non active ingredients but that's not a generic v's branded issue.

ProfessorPlum · 24-10-2018 09:44AM

BigCon wrote: »

No, based on a sample size of one, we can definatively conclude that generic drugs don't work as well as the same ingredient brand name drugs.

Well, no, we can’t even do that, as the active ingredient in the second branded antibiotic was almost definitely different to that in the first generic prescription.

Because no doctor is going to prescribe a second course of the same antibiotic when the first course has had no effect.

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 09:48AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Unfortunately it is hard to tell. There are quite a lot of studies exploring that particular question but nothing near 100% conclusive. Quite often the drug itself is the same between a generic brand and another one. But the delivery technology is different - for example.

There is also the placebo effect. If a person has a higher level of confidence in an established label than a generic one - then the potential for placebo is magnified.

Perhaps _neither_ of your antibiotics are helping. You are just getting better naturally as you would have if you had taken neither of them. But timing alone might make you think the new brand is doing better than the genetic.

Unfortunately in the world of medicine - and particularly in the world of woo medicine and alternative medicine - people generally just give credit to whatever they were doing when they noticed they were getting better. No matter how nonsense it is.

Thus you have everything from homeopathy to people spreading Vicks on their feet - and swearing that it works for them. For no other reason than they just happened to start getting or feeling better just as they started in with said nonsense.

Next time I get sick I will start with the non-generic and see if they clear it up quicker.

Mickeroo · 24-10-2018 09:48AM

Chances are your body's natural defences were starting to fight off the infection by the time you started the second course.

murpho999 · 24-10-2018 09:54AM

Floppybits wrote: »

Next time I get sick I will start with the non-generic and see if they clear it up quicker.

You do realse it's a regulated industry and generics have to be the exact same as the originals.

It's not like a brand v supermarket own brand.

pekitivey · 24-10-2018 09:54AM

If the first dose didn't work the doc is not going to give you a second dose of the same antibiotics. He will try a different antibiotic that fights different infections. that's why it cleared up on the second round of meds. Generic are as good as the brand name, bar one or two incidents in the past where companies tried and failed and producing generic medications. but these are now off the market and well known by medical professionals

St1mpMeister · 24-10-2018 09:56AM

Psychosomatic ... faith in the non-generic boosted your positive feeling toward it which consequently lowered your stress level and aided the curing of the illness. Simples

Feisar · 24-10-2018 09:57AM

I dunno however if paracetamol cures it there wasn't anything wrong in the first place!

I'm refering to across the counter stuff, liquid form in the hospital is supposed to be a good job.

floatwinner · 24-10-2018 09:57AM

They just make you worse. But I know I'll see your face again.

24-10-2018 10:01AM

Floppybits wrote: »

Next time I get sick I will start with the non-generic and see if they clear it up quicker.

That is certainly a slightly more scientific approach

But really it would still tell you next to nothing as it would likely be a different drug for a different illness.

For example perhaps this time _neither_ drug helped you at all. Perhaps next time it will. And so you will think it was because you started with the non-genetic drug when in fact it was because you started with one that actually helps in the first place!

Also if all illnesses had the same incubation time and symptom time it would be a more useful approach. But the problem of people taking drugs who get better naturally - and nothing to do with the drugs (What we call "return to the mean") - is that each illness has different time periods.

So your next illness might be a much shorter or longer one than the current illness but you might put getting better faster down to having chosen the non-generic option first.

Further there is still the Placebo issue. If you have a lot more faith in the efficacy of the Brand Named option - then taking it first just means you will kick the placebo effect in sooner.

Measuring the efficacy of drugs is fraught with problems alas. The world of epidemiology is very complex at times. And a single data point - such as yourself - is more likely than anything to give misleading results.

Steve F · 24-10-2018 10:09AM

murpho999 wrote: »

Of course generics work.

You only think they don't work.

These "chest infections" that people here get told they have are generally just colds, which are viruses, which are not impacted by anti biotics, generally just clear after they have run their course, and I'd say that's what has happened.

And that is why Antibiotic resistance is on the increase.
Every few years a particular Antibiotic becomes redundant
Few more years and we will be back to the pre antibiotic times.What then?
Oh, and don't say scientists will come up with new ones because it isn't happening.
All thanks to people insisting on getting their "moneys worth" when they visit the Doctor
I have even heard people saying they specifically wouldn't go back to a particular Doctor because he/she refused to prescribe Antibiotics for a Cold
Madness!

Shenshen · 24-10-2018 10:14AM

Floppybits wrote: »

As the title says to generic drugs work in treating illness as well as the non generic drugs?

I'm on my second course of anti biotics to treat a chest infection and the first set of anti biotics were generic which didn't seem to work, when I went back to the doctor and got another prescription I told the chemist that I didn't want the generic anti biotics, low and behold finally the infection is starting go.

That's one of the arguments I'm used to hearing about homeopathy. People start out treating their ailments with actual medicine, but see little improvement at first, as many times your body simply needs the time to heal, too.They then get something homeopathic, notice symptoms improving and assume it was the sugar pill/water drops that actually cured them, when really it was just time.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 24-10-2018 10:15AM

I suspect in the case of the OP it was a case of;

'You can take this pill and your infection will be gone in a week, or you can choose not to take it and your infection will be gone in seven days'.

OP unless you had a bacterial infection your infection probably ran its natural course whether or not you were going to take antibiotics are not.

engiweirdo · 24-10-2018 10:19AM

Floppybits wrote: »

As the title says to generic drugs work in treating illness as well as the non generic drugs?

I'm on my second course of anti biotics to treat a chest infection and the first set of anti biotics were generic which didn't seem to work, when I went back to the doctor and got another prescription I told the chemist that I didn't want the generic anti biotics, low and behold finally the infection is starting go.

Missing a trick here buddy. You should be a doctor. Think of the lives you'd save. And all that filthy filthy lucre.

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 10:21AM

Raven Few Scrubber wrote: »

I suspect in the case of the OP it was a case of;

'You can take this pill and your infection will be gone in a week, or you can choose not to take it and your infection will be gone in seven days'.

OP unless you had a bacterial infection your infection probably ran its natural course whether or not you were going to take antibiotics are not.

If only that was the case. But when you are ill for 2 weeks and just walking is leaving you breathless and there is no sign of getting better, I think then it is advisable to go to the doctor, don't you?

4th week and yes it is probably a combination of both courses of anti biotics and time that is meaning I am finally shifting this infection.

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 10:22AM

engiweirdo wrote: »

Missing a trick here buddy. You should be a doctor. Think of the lives you'd save. And all that filthy filthy lucre.

Are you saying doctors are not needed and that they are ripping people off?

Harry Palmr · 24-10-2018 10:23AM

Generic drugs are patented drugs the patent on which has expired. All drugs have a exclusive manufactures life span to make it worth the R&D in the first place.

That's it.

Anyone who thinks otherwise has fallen for the "if it's cheaper it must be worse" scam which has kept many products prices artificially high.

The government's attitude to ex-patented drugs is a scandal costing hundreds of millions a year every year.

ProfessorPlum · 24-10-2018 10:23AM

Raven Few Scrubber wrote: »

I suspect in the case of the OP it was a case of;

'You can take this pill and your infection will be gone in a week, or you can choose not to take it and your infection will be gone in seven days'.

OP unless you had a bacterial infection your infection probably ran its natural course whether or not you were going to take antibiotics are not.

Doctors almost always prescribe antibiotics on a ‘best guess’ basis. They don’t swab and culture every pathogen. They base their antibiotic choice on the most likely pathogen for a particular illness. The OP could well have had a bacterial infection that was not sensitive to the first antibiotic, but sensitive to the next second line antibiotic. Nothing at all to do with the brand name on the packet.

Dakota Dan · 24-10-2018 10:28AM

murpho999 wrote: »

Of course generics work.

You only think they don't work.

These "chest infections" that people here get told they have are generally just colds, which are viruses, which are not impacted by anti biotics, generally just clear after they have run their course, and I'd say that's what has happened.

At least he didn’t call it the flu, why do people have to go to a doctor with a cold, no wonder the health system is under stress.

seamus · 24-10-2018 10:32AM

FutureGuy wrote: »

I'm not a doctor but I suspect that your infection needed two courses of antibiotics. Not uncommon.

Indeed. It's also common that people jump the gun and take antibiotics for a chest infection caused by a viral agent. That does nothing, but it's common for a secondary bacterial infection to follow a viral one (the walls of the lungs are exposed and inflamed, bacteria can get in).

Thus the second course of antibiotics actually works because you now have a bacterial infection.

Floppybits · 24-10-2018 10:37AM

seamus wrote: »

Indeed. It's also common that people jump the gun and take antibiotics for a chest infection caused by a viral agent. That does nothing, but it's common for a secondary bacterial infection to follow a viral one (the walls of the lungs are exposed and inflamed, bacteria can get in).

Thus the second course of antibiotics actually works because you now have a bacterial infection.

Jaysus I started with a chest infection and now I have bacterial infection next I will heading down to the undertakers to sort out my funeral.

Who goes to the doctor with a cold? Surely people can tell the difference between a cold and a chest infection?

s3rtvdbwfj81ch · 24-10-2018 10:38AM

weldoninhio wrote: »

Are jeans still jeans if they don't have a brand name on them??

Of course they are.

Generic drugs are the exact same drug as non-generic without a brand name on them.

This is not a good analogy.

Pricier jeans are usually of a much better quality than cheap Pennies shíte, they last longer, the sewing at joins is a hundred times more secure, they aren't subject to wear and tear as quickly.

Generic drugs are not like this, they are the EXACT same thing.

Do generic drugs work?

Comments