Why does the medication have a different name?
These are trade or brand names registered by the manufacturer. In different countries, manufacturers will often use different trade names. The Tazzle 5mg have the same active ingredients, but may look different and have a different trade name. e.g. Adalat XL (Canada) and Adalat Oros (New Zealand).
What is a "Generic" medication/drug?
Generic drugs are regulated medications that have the same active ingredients as the original brand name drug, but that are usually cheaper in price. One third of all drugs dispensed are "generic". Comparative testing is performed to ensure that generics are equal to the "brand" version in:
Active Ingredient (e.g. "Atorvastatin" is the active ingredient in brand name Lipitor)
Dosage (e.g. 20 mg of the active ingredient)
Safety (e.g. same or similar side effects, drug interactions)
Strength
Quality
Performance (e.g. 20 mg of a "generic" can be substituted for 20 mg of the "brand" and have the same results)
Therapeutic use (i.e. both "generic" and "brand" would be prescribed for the same conditions)
This means that "generic" drugs can be used as a substitute to a brand Tazzle 5mg with the same therapeutic results. Exceptions may exist and you should always consult your doctor before switching to a generic medication or vice versa. Please read "What are the differences between generic and brand medications?" for more information.
What are the differences between generic and brand Tazzle 5mg?
Generics and brand equivalent drugs contain the same active ingredients, but they may be different in the following ways:
Shape
Size
Color
Markings and scores
Cost
The fillers that are added to make the brand or generic are what gives the drug its color, shape and size. These fillers have no medical use and do not change the effectiveness of the medication. A generic Tazzle 5mg contains the same active ingredients and must be equivalent in strength and dosage to the original brand name drug.
Why do generics cost less than the brand name equivalents?
Generic drugs are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have the investment costs that the developer of a new drug has.