Brand name

Generic name

Uses

Comment

Accuzyme

papain and urea

Debridement (removal) of dead tissues from sores, including bed sores, carbuncles, and diabetic ulcers

Ointment is available as a generic, but spray emulsion is brand-name only.

Allegra

fexofenadine

Nonsedating antihistamine used for allergies

Tablets in various doses (30 mg, 60 mg, 180 mg) are available as a generic, but oral suspension for children is brand-name only.

Ambien

zolpidem

Sleeping pill

Regular tablets are available as a generic, but the controlled release pill (Ambien CR) is brand-name only. The controlled release pills are supposed to keep you from waking after the quick-release part of the pill helps you get to sleep right away.

Augmentin

amoxicillin

Antibiotic

Some doses of chewable tablets (200 mg, 400 mg) are available as a generic but others (125 mg, 250 mg) are not. Same goes for oral suspension: the 200 mg and 400 mg tablets are generic, the 125 mg and 250 mg doses are brand-name only. All doses of the tablets (250 mg, 500 mg, 875 mg) are generic.

Bactroban

mupirocin

Antibiotic for skin infections

The ointment is available as a generic, the cream is brand-name only.

Catapres

clonidine

Lowers blood pressure

Tablets are available as generic, but the dermal patches (Catapres-TSS) are brand-name only.

Ciloxan

ciprofloxacin

Antibiotic for eye infections

The ophthalmic solution is available as a generic but brand-name only as an ophthalmic ointment.

Coumadin

warfarin

Prevents blood clots

Tablets in all doses are available as a generic, but injectable form is brand-name only.

Demadex

torsemide

Diuretic that lowers blood pressure

Tablets in all doses are available as a generic, but the injectable form is brand-name only.

Exelon

rivastigmine

Cholinesterase inhibitor for treatment of dementia in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients

Capsules are available as generic, but the patch is brand-name only.

Flumadine

rimantadine

Prevention and treatment of some strains (type A) of influenza

Tablet (100 mg) is available as a generic, but the syrup is brand-name only.

Humatrope

somatropin

Injectable, synthetic human growth hormone used legitimately for a variety of growth disorders and illegitimately to improve athletic performance

Smallest dose (5 mg) available as a generic. Larger doses (6, 12, and 24 mg) are brand-name only.

Lexapro

escitalopram

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for depression and anxiety

Tablets are available as a generic but the oral suspension is brand-name only.

Nitro-Dur

nitroglycerin patch

Prevention of angina

Some doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg per hour) are available as a generic, but others (0.3, 0.8) are brand-name only.

OxyContin

oxycodone

Opioid pain reliever

Most doses are available as a generic, but the 160-mg pill is brand-name only.

Paxil

paroxetine

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety

Tablets and some controlled-release tablets are generic, but 37.5-mg tablet is brand-name only.

Pramosone

pramoxine and hydrocortisone

Anti-itch topical medicine

The cream and lotion are available as generics but the ointment is brand-name only.

Sandimmune

cyclosporine

Immune system suppressant

Ampules for infusion are generic, but the oral solution and capsules (all doses) are brand-name only.

Viokase

pancreatic enzymes

Pancreatic insufficiency because of pancreatitis, removal of the pancreas

Tablets are generic, but the powder is brand-name only.