Generic medication is exactly the same as name brand. I am in school to become a medical assistant and then I am going on to become a nurse. We just talked about this the other day at school. So no there is no difference at all between them. They may look different but they are the same and have the same strength and effect.
The other posts are right that generic brands have to have the same active ingredients, so they are as effective. I just wanted to mention that I don't think Yasmin has a generic yet, because the company still has a patent on the progestin.
Although many people say that generic birth control is the same as its brand name counterpart, it is only the active ingredients that are required to be the same. The inactive ingredients (which still can give off side effects) are not monitored. I have heard of many people reacting differently to the generic after having taken the brand name for years. I have spoken to my doctor about this issue (although I know that she is constantly brainwashed by pharmaceutical reps) and she recommended I stay on brand, whatever I take. My current insurance has a big difference in copays b/w brand and generic, so sometimes I buy birth control from Canadian pharmacies.
Hi bribug13, welcome!
Jill