What’s the Difference?
When you pick up a prescription or over-the-counter medication, you may notice that the same medicine can be sold under different brand names — or as a generic. While brand-name and generic medications contain the same active ingredient, they are not always identical in every detail.
Understanding these differences can help you make informed choices, especially if you are sensitive to certain inactive ingredients.
Active Ingredients: The Same by Law
By FDA requirement, a generic medication must contain:
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The same active ingredient
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The same strength
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The same dosage form (tablet, capsule, liquid, etc.)
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The same route of administration
This means the medication is expected to work the same way in the body.
Inactive Ingredients: Where Differences Appear
Inactive ingredients — also called excipients — may vary between brand-name and generic products, and even between different generic manufacturers.
These may include:
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Fillers and binders
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Dyes and colorants
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Coatings
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Capsule materials
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Preservatives or stabilizers
These ingredients do not affect how the drug treats a condition, but they can matter for people with allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions.
Appearance and Packaging Differences
Brand and generic medications may differ in:
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Tablet or capsule color
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Shape or size
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Imprint markings
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Packaging style
These differences are allowed as long as the active ingredient and performance standards are met.
Cost Differences
Brand-name medications typically cost more due to research, development, and marketing expenses.
Generic versions are usually significantly less expensive once patents expire.
Why Ingredient Awareness Matters
Even when two medications contain the same active ingredient, differences in inactive ingredients can matter for some people.
Checking ingredient lists can help you:
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Avoid known allergens or intolerance
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Understand why a medication looks different after a refill
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Ask informed questions when switching manufacturers
Explore Common Examples
The pages below provide ingredient references for commonly used medications:
Each page lists the medication’s ingredients and explains how formulations may vary by manufacturer.
Scan a medication using PillParser to see its ingredient list.
To keep PillParser free, anonymous scans are limited.
Important Note
PillParser provides medication ingredient information for educational purposes only. Always confirm details with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking or changing any medication.