Branded vs generic Parkinson's drugs
Most Parkinson’s drugs can have two names – a generic name and a brand name. But is there a difference between them? We find out.
What are branded drugs?
A pharmaceutical company that owns a specific drug will create the drug’s brand name. Once a drug has been granted a license, a company with a patent on a drug are the only ones who can market it under that name. A patent usually lasts for a specific period of time.
For example, levodopa is available as:
- Sinemet from Merck Sharp and Dohme Limited
- Madopar from Roche Products Limited
What are generic drugs?
Once a patent has expired, other pharmaceutical companies are allowed to make the same medication under its generic name.
The generic version of the drug will be the same as the branded one because it contains the same active ingredient and is used at the same dose. Roche’s Madopar, for example, is available on the market under the generic name co-beneldopa. But only Roche is licensed to sell it as Madopar.
Generic drugs are checked to ensure they work the same and have the same standards of quality and safety as the branded version.
The NHS will often use the generic drug because they are as effective as the branded version, but cost less. They are generally cheaper because the costs come from developing and marketing a new drug.
So, is there a difference?
Branded and generic drugs contain the same active ingredient. Sometimes, the non-active ingredients (known as ‘excipients’) may be different from the ones used in branded medication. These include sugar, flavouring and colouring.
This means a generic drug might look or feel different in terms of shape, colour, size and texture, from its branded equivalent. These differences won’t have any effect on the way the medication works in your body. They are still the same because the active ingredient is what gives a medicine its therapeutic effect.
But the speed at which tablets or capsules dissolve and are absorbed into the bloodstream can sometimes be different between brands. Occasionally, this will have an impact on the level of the medication in the body.
This is known as a ‘narrow therapeutic index’. It means that there isn’t much difference between the level where the medicine works as it should, and the level being either too high (which can cause side effects) or too low (when the medicine doesn't work as well as it should).
The therapeutic index of some medications can change as your Parkinson’s progresses. Doses can become less effective, or have more side effects. This can happen with generic and branded medications.
So because of these reasons, you may find that a particular medication suits you better than the other.
What do I do if I'm worried I haven't got the right medication?
The best thing to do is to always pay attention to the label and packaging on your medication if the tablet or capsule looks different.
If you prefer to take a particular brand of medication, ask your GP to write the brand name on your prescription. Then you will always receive that brand from your pharmacist.
If you notice any changes in your symptoms after swapping to a different brand, you’re ever unsure about the name of your medicine or you have questions about your prescription, talk to your GP, Parkinson’s nurse or pharmacist.
- Thank you to Dr Janine Barnes, Neurology Specialist Pharmacist and Vicky Travers, Clinical Nurse Specialist for helping us put this article together.