Generic and brand-name drug inconsistencies
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. |
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