The only difference between a brand-name and a generic drug are the inactive ingredients (preservatives, colorants and compounds to hold the medicine together).

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If you go with a generic, be alert for reactions or side effects on the extraordinarily rare chance that you're having an allergic reaction to one of the inactive ingredients or a change in the way your body is absorbing the medicine.

References:

• United States Food and Drug Administration. Generic drugs: what you need to know. [online] 2002 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/502_generic.html
• United States Food and Drug Administration. Savings from generic drugs purchased at retail pharmacies. [online] 2004 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/savingsfromgenericdrugs.htm
• United States Food and Drug Adminstration: Office of Generic Drugs. [online] 2007 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/
• SA Medicines Control Council. Guidelines on generic substitution. Government Gazette 2003;25145:183-5.
   

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