OTC medicine name or brand of generic?

**imagine** · 09-16-2010, 11:48 AM

Do you generally buy name brand or generic over the counter medicines?

I generally buy the generic/store brand medications. But today I was debating about which to get and noticed that the name brand had a higher amount of the medication per pill then the generic which made the comparison harder. They make things so hard to compare these days.

So I decided on the name brand because of the higher amount of the medication per pill even though I would be paying about $2 more. The the registrar gave me a $2 off next order coupon. My lucky day.

**mauimagic** · 09-16-2010, 11:55 AM

I have switched over to all generic OTC and it's working for me. Glad you got the coupon!!

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-16-2010, 12:05 PM

I normally buy generic after checking to see that the medicinal ingredients are the same, but I just got a bottle of generic Benadryl that upsets my stomach so I'm going to switch back to the real stuff next time.

**Momto5RN** · 09-16-2010, 12:28 PM

whatever is cheapest
you do have to watch the dosages though too.

sometimes i can get a better deal with a coupon and CVS extra care bucks back then i can generic.

**NikoSan999** · 09-16-2010, 01:01 PM

Check out the active ingredients and percentages.

**krbshappy71** · 09-16-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

Do you generally buy name brand or generic over the counter medicines?

I generally buy the generic/store brand medications. But today I was debating about which to get and noticed that the name brand had a higher amount of the medication per pill then the generic which made the comparison harder. They make things so hard to compare these days.

So I decided on the name brand because of the higher amount of the medication per pill even though I would be paying about $2 more. The the registrar gave me a $2 off next order coupon. My lucky day.

I give the store-brand ONE chance. If it works, great, I keep buying it. If not, I suck it up and buy what I know will give me full benefit for my money.

Zyrtec is my favorite allergy medicine EVER but I was really low on money so I bought the Walgreens brand instead. It works and sometimes I do have to take 2 pills but I did the math and even if I took 2 pills regularly, because of the sale I bought it on and additional coupon I had, I was still paying less.

Watch your side-effects as well. There are some Sudaphed type medicines that flip me out and others I can handle. Its just not worth being cheaper if I don't feel right on them.

**shoiji** · 09-20-2010, 01:26 PM

I will usually buy generic if it is the same thing except for allergy medication.

I really do not buy over the counter meds. If I need something and the name brand is on sale and cheaper then I will buy it.

**imagine** · 09-20-2010, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

I really do not buy over the counter meds.

If you don't buy over the counter medications ( medicine available at the grocery store or walmart without out a pharmacy) than do you mainly do prescription? What about medicine for a headache or your allergy medication?

**Libby** · 09-20-2010, 01:57 PM

I buy generic where I can. Some fillers set me off like there's no tomorrow so its not worth the pain. Generally I buy ibuprofen and acetaminophen generics as well as allergy tablets. Everything else is brand name - cough syrups & cold tablets.

With my Rx meds - I still get the generics if there's no side effects but unfortunately a lot of those fillers kill me too or have very strong side effects.

**Jeanna** · 09-20-2010, 04:04 PM

I just check the ingredients and if they are the same then generics all the way here with the exception of Advil Cold and Sinus. It is the only thing that seems to take care of my sinus headaches. I buy generics on prescriptions also. Thank goodness we get the ones that are really expensive through Medical assistance for my son. Some of his is $200-$300 a month if we had to pay for them I don't know what we would do.

**frugalfranny** · 09-21-2010, 02:15 AM

I check to see if they are the same and buy generic if they are.

Funny about the Zyrtec.........I tried it this summer and it did ZIP for me. It is pricey too! Dr. wanted me to try it as my Claritin just wasn't doing the trick!! I only bought the packet of five to see if it would work.

**Luckybustert** · 09-21-2010, 10:29 AM

I'm just disappointed that health savings accounts are not going to reimburse for OTC meds next year (thanks to Obamacare)....it was great being able to pay for them with pre-tax dollars. Now we will have to have a prescription for OTC meds to be able to get the reimbursement from our health savings accounts

**Palooka** · 09-21-2010, 10:55 PM

If the ingredients are the same, It's generic.

**angelbumpkin** · 09-21-2010, 11:37 PM

I buy generic unless I have a coupon and the brand is cheaper. I am truly thankful we get medicine assistance with my son his medications would runs a little over $1500 a month this doesn't include the months that we get his $900 bleeding disorder medication.