Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack. We give it orders which make no sense. Henry Miller
Headaches - Brand Name or Generic Medication
There is not one perfect answer when deciding on whether Generic or Name Brand drugs are better. There are many different factors to consider when choosing between the two types. Your unique situation and the actual different properties between them will determine your choice.
Regrettably, there's no 'one-size-fits-all' answer to the question: Which is the better medication, Brand Name or Generic? Which you choose will depend on a number of individual circumstances, along with real differences between the two.
In the U.S. and many other countries, the development of medications - even simple ones, such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen - takes many years and billions of invested dollars. Complicating the situation is the often incompetent and illogical way the FDA approves research and marketing, before the drugs can even be brought to the consumer.
But after all the expense and complexity, drugs do often find their way onto the shelves. Because of patent and trademarks laws, those pharmaceutical companies that developed the drug have the right to exclusive sale of the product they worked to produce. But only for a certain length of time.
The period varies, but eventually the active ingredients in brand name drugs become legally available for other companies to manufacture and sell. In the case of aspirin, for example, Bayer - the German company - lost exclusivity, of both the compound and the name, as a result of Germany's loss of WWI. Acetylsalicylic, in the form they developed, then became available for others to make and sell.
Once that happens, so-called generic drugs come onto the market. In the vast majority of cases, these drugs are as good (or nearly so) as their competitors. Since those companies didn't bear the time and expense to develop and build a market for them, they can sell them much more cheaply. Those are the major reasons generics are much less expensive.
But even within that framework, it's not always the case that generic and brand name drugs are identical. Even though the patent may have expired, the law requires that generic drug manufacturers make some changes to the product beyond the name. They are not allowed to sell the identical material under an alternate name.
Most accommodate this requirement by modifying the inactive ingredients. In most cases, that's a perfectly safe course of action. But, individuals differ in their sensitivity and what's a completely inactive ingredient for some may have some effect on others. It may be something as minor as the odor or taste. In other cases, the effect may be more profound.
Altering the level of calcium in a Bufferin-like medication (composed of aspirin and buffered with calcium carbonate) can make a difference for some people. Patients taking the anti-depressant Zoloft, for example, have reported some differences in effect between it and a generic substitute. Anti-depressants are also sometimes used to treat some forms of headache.
Though quality standards and active ingredients are required by law to be the same for any manufacturer, large pharmaceutical companies are more than just efficient marketing organizations. They also have enormous resources to devote to creating and monitoring their manufacturing processes.
In some cases, this can make a difference between their product and that of a generic. This is especially true since some have components now being made in China and elsewhere, where proper practices may not be as stringently followed.
It is necessary to examine all of your options when choosing between generic and name brand medicines. You will need to assess the risks and rewards of the two types before making your choice. While this may seem like a difficult choice to make, it is necessary part of maintaining your health.
Ironically, certain headache medications (Excedrin, for example) contain caffeine.
Botox Maker: Anti-Wrinkle Drug Great For Headaches (CBS 3 Philadelphia)
Drugmaker Allergan said Thursday it has new evidence that its injectable drug can help relieve migraine headaches. Based on preliminary results from two company-funded studies, Allergan said it will ask the Food and Drug Administration to approve Botox for chronic migraine next year.
Allergan shares jump after studies suggest Botox could help fight migraine headaches (Canadian Business)
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) - Shares of Allergan Inc. jumped Thursday after the drugmaker reported that its antiwrinkle injection Botox may help relieve migraine headaches.
Three people report breathing problems and headaches after chemical spill at SLO business (The San Luis Obispo Tribune)
Three people reported respiratory irritation and headaches after three gallons of a chemical mixture spilled Thursday at Central Coast Pathology in San Luis Obispo The spill occurred about 4 a.m. inside the laboratory at 3701 S. Higuera St., according to the San Luis Obispo County Health Agency. It was confined to within the building. Fire Department and Environmental Health crews cleaned the ...
How To Prevent Seasonal Headaches (KTNV Las Vegas)
It ismonsoon season in the Las VegasValley which means humidity, big storms and for some of us, big headaches. Doctors say seasonal headaches are normal.
That is, they block action by sitting on nerve receptors where natural biochemicals would otherwise reside. Lack of sleep is one of the potential triggers of migraine and other forms of headache. Cluster headaches are not defined by the specific symptoms of pain, but by the existence of a pattern. Lead poisoning is a potential cause of headaches, though less a problem these days.
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