Name brand vs. generic

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Name brand vs. generic
2
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 2:24am
Hello,

I switched from the name brand version of my birth control pill to the generic a couple of months ago. For the first week and a half to two weeks of my pill pack, I have a consistent, low-grade nauseous feeling. I didn't feel way more than a day or two when I was using the name brand product. I am under the impression that a generic prescription contains the same ingredients as a name brand prescription, but I'm thinking the nauseated feeling has something to do with my new prescription.

Has anyone else ever encountered this? And if so, was the feeling alleviated if/when you switched back to the name brand pill?

I would love any input on this....thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 10:43am
Hi imasimple1, welcome!

It's not unusual to have side effects when switching pills, even between a brand and it's generic. A generic is the ‘therapeutic equivalent’ of the brand pill but it is not exactly the same. The FDA will permit very slight differences, within their guidelines, and these differences can cause side effects. Any side effects should disappear within 2 or 3 cycles. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-04-2004 - 3:46pm
I had some side effects when I switched from generic to name-brand (it was an insurance thing where the insurance decided to cover the name-brand and not the generic anymore - who knows). Anyway, after the first month, I didn't have anymore bad side effects.