LC
” How is it that generics are so much cheaper than brand name medication?”
the generic doesnt have to pay for development
” Are brand name really better than most generic?”
no.
” How do brand name still able to charge so much when generics are like 1/4 of the price?”
Name recognition
” Do some people buy brand name thinking its better than generics or safe/more effective?”
sure. it is a big planet. People do all sorts of things
” If everyone trusted generics wouldnt brand names go out of business or forced to lower prices in order to compete? ”
no since the brand name has exclusve rights for the first 7 years.
” So whats the real difference here?”
There usually isnt.
That said the target blood level achieved can sometimes be differtent. This usually doesnt matter but with some medications wit ha narrow thereputic index (i.e. too high level or too low a leve lis bad) then sticking to a known more predictable brand is sometimes necesary.
Furthermore, the inactive ingridents may vary thus a person can have a reaction to say atorvostatin(generic) but not lipitor (brand) or vice versa. Though this is rare
“It seems to me that many people might get a brand name thinking its safer or more effective than generic. Is there any truth to that?”
Generally not and certainly not for ibuprofen or acetaminophen
iacrisma
” I never realized why my child’s BG goes crazy when taking certain medications.”
It seems doubtful for any small difference in the inactive ingredient to make glucose “go crazy”