What is the difference between a generic equivalent and a generic alternative?
A generic equivalent is a medication that contains the same active ingredient and works the same way as the original brand name drug. A generic alternative is a generic medication that may not have the same active ingredient, but works in the same way as another drug. An example of a generic alternative is ranitidine. It is the generic equivalent of Zantac®, but it works in the same way to relieve stomach acid as Axid® and Pepcid®.
Related Questions
- A non-preferred drug is a medication that has been determined to have an alternative drug available that is clinically equivalent. If I am taking a brand name drug when a generic equivalent is available, at what co-payment level will this drug be available?
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