. generic medicines
@SIMPLYD (90722)
Philippines
September 25, 2011 11:07pm CST
When I had my allergy more than 3 weeks ago, I took a branded anti-histamine. It cost me a lot since it totally healed only after 6 days. It costs me PhP25.00 per tablet.
Then last week I again had the same allergy. This time, I took the generic one. And it only cost me PhP4.00 per tablet. In 3 days time, my allergy was healed.
This time, I knew what caused my allergy. It’s the imported expensive sunblock , my friend gave me as “pasalubong” from Canada. It didn’t made my face itch and swollen , but for my neck which when hot , it did.
But one thing I am happy with, is that generic medicine for me worked better than the branded one.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@kareemadivina (1230)
• Philippines
26 Sep 11
Surely generic medicines work,plus it will not cost you that much which is the best thing.Branded medicines cost more because maybe it's imported,and they are selling their brand names.It's fairly safe to use generic medicines as long as it's BFAD approve and you can read and understand the labels well.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
30 Sep 11
I am happy that your allergy is gone. Who would ever think of an allergy to sunblock. Well, yes, some times the generic can be better as well as cheaper. But when it comes to medications that are needed for an on going condition such as high blood pressure, or diabetes, I think the real medication would be better. I don't kn, maybe I am wrong on this, but thats how I feel.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
1 Oct 11
Yes, who would think that it was after all my new imported sunblock that caused the allergy on my neck. But i suspected the heat initially because it happened first time when we were watching a parade for the fiesta, under the scorching sun. But why the neck only, not my face.
Well, i think every person have their own perception of the well-being , hence it's only them who may be able to discern if it's generic or branded medicine for them. It could only be determined by trial. But in the end it's still to determine.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
1 Oct 11
I hear you. and I also find that strange that the reaction was only on your neck. Maybe the skin there is more sensitive then anywhere else. Yes, we all have to make our own determination on what medications we take. After all, only we know how we feel.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
28 Sep 11
these days of crisis, i also rely mostly on generic medicines. they got the safe relief in cheaper price. and even some of these generic or not so known brand names are more effective than the branded ones.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Sep 11
That's right neildc! Nowadays, we should be wise in spending our hard earned money. For our medicines, we can turn to generic ones since the doctors also put the generic name whenever they prescribe . They are at par with branded ones when it comes to efficacy , yet they cost so much lesser.
That way, whatever was saved from doing so could be allotted for some other needs.
@totor_53 (223)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
One thing i've learned from the Department of Health was that there are no differences between the generic medicines and the branded medicines in fact they still have the same effect. The only thing that makes branded medicines expensive compared to generic medicines is because of their brand name, its manufacturer and its popularity among consumers. If one would say that they are mostly like to be healed immediately from their sickness if they are to take branded medicines, then they are wrong for each of our bodies are unique. Maybe our bodies does not tolerate this kind of medicine or maybe because our body really has been used to this type of medicine.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
That's true. Sometimes it's also on how we perceived generic medicines are. If we have a preconception that generic ones has less efficacy , then i guess, your body will reject it too.
Thank God, my body is good at generic medicines.
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
27 Sep 11
Generic brands are very common at least with my current health insurance. When I first when I first heard about that, I will admit I was a bit hesitant, but after a while of utilizing both generic and branded medicing I have come to notice that most generic brands are either equal or even better of times. And also and let's you save a bit more extra bucks, god knows we all need to be able to save a few bucks whenever possible.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
Actually, we can try on those generic ones after having used the branded ones for its efficacy. Only when we noticed that they do have the same efficacy on our ailment, would we really be convinced to use the generic one.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Sep 11
Correct my friend. Not only do they cost so much lesser but they are also as effective.
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
27 Sep 11
I have personally learned to rely on the generic brands, my insurance normally approves generic ones, unless the original brand doesn't have a generic then they usually approve original ones. But I have found them to be reliable. I am 99% convinced that generic brand are definitely reliable.
@syoti20 (5292)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
In my case, Branded works for me better than the generic ones. According to my friends, it depends the product or formulated tablet you are taking if you are suited to it. Some branded don't work for me but generics works for me.
So I think generic or branded is the issue. The formulated tablet must be suits to us.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
That's right syoti. It's what we call in our own language "hiyang" actually.
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
26 Sep 11
That's great simplyd. Most generics have the same ingredients in them as the branded ones. Sometimes it's just a small change in the amount of one ingredient that is slightly more, or slightly less. And sometimes they add a flavoring, or something else in the material binder (that holds the pill together, etc.) I almost never buy a brand name and will go for the store version (or generic) first. The brand name ones almost always cost a whole lot more because you're paying for the trust in that company and their products. Looking at it a different way though, the generics (or store brands) have the same rigorous quality control by the govt agency that oversees pharmaceuticals. I always figure why pay the extra if the off-brand will do. I have sensitivities to some brands of the sun-blocks too. Once I figured out exactly which chemical in them that gave me the problems, I found a different brand that worked just as well.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
It's the second time i had an allergy. The first one which was a two decades ago, was caused by chicken. But eventually, it was gone.
As to this sunblock, the local one don't ever make me allergic. I guess, from now on, i have to be careful with imported ones for the face and neck specially.
@zhawee (873)
• Philippines
26 Sep 11
for me best medicine its from the generic, its not cheap medicine its also more effective than the branded medicine.. im buying branded medicine if we needed..sometimes doctor not recomend generic. sometimes its not affort of my budget im also looks the same content of the generic and the branded medicine.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
Whenever the doctor is prescribing for the medicine, i always ask for its generic. That way, i have a choice of buying what is inexpensive yet effective. The doctor also puts the generic because He himself knows that they are of the same efficacy.
Sometimes, some doctor would prescribe branded ones, because they also would like to help some medical representative of the said brand, in generating its sales.
@dynzdolina (381)
• Philippines
26 Sep 11
Yes, some generic medicines are effective but we should check on the kind of brand it has. There are brands that are low in price but still with poor quality, that is the thing we have to check about.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
But how can we check the effectivity of a certain brand of generic medicine? I think for life threatening conditions though, i would go for the tried and tested branded ones.
But for more simpler ones, i can take a generic medicine. Though sometimes, because of the lack of so much budget for it, we tend to try the generic ones.