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Same medicine – different brandSame medicine – different brand

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Many medicines are manufactured and sold under different brand names. This means that sometimes you may be offered a different brand of your medicine by your pharmacist.

Different brands work the same way

Even though the different brands of a medicine may look different, they all work in the same way, because they all have the same active ingredient. The active ingredient is the chemical in a medicine that makes it work.

All the different brands of a medicine are designed to work equally well. Before being approved for use in Australia, all the different brands of a medicine are tested to make sure they are bioequivalent. This means that they all have the same potential health benefits and similar side effects.

Different brands may look different

Even though they have the same active ingredient, there may be differences in the shape, size, colour and taste of the different brands of a medicine. This is because different ‘inactive’ ingredients — such as lactose, gluten, sugar, preservatives and dyes — have been used in the manufacturing process.

For most people, the differences in the inactive ingredients are not important. However, if you have any allergies or intolerances, or you avoid certain substances for cultural or medical reasons, you should check the inactive ingredients.

A list of inactive ingredients can be found in the medicine’s consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet, which is available from your pharmacist, doctor or the NPS website. Your pharmacist can also tell you what inactive ingredients are used.

Changing brands

For most people, it doesn’t matter which brand they use, so they can change brands without causing any problems.

However, if you have a chronic condition, or you have been taking the same brand for a long time, your doctor may advise you to stick to your usual brand. If this is the case, the doctor will tick the ‘Brand substitution not permitted’ box on your prescription.

Finding the active ingredient

If you’re not sure whether your medicine is the same medicine as another brand, look for the name of the active ingredient on the label or packaging of both medicines.

Medicine-label-examplela

If they have the same active ingredient, they are the same medicine. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist.

MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.

Date published: 2011-11-09 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.