GENERICS
Generic Medication Savings
For many prescriptions, choosing an FDA-approved generic is the simplest way to pay less. Here is what generics are, why they cost less, and how to compare prices.
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Compare generic prices for your medication
Enter a brand or generic name to see current cash and discount prices.
Prices vary by pharmacy, location, quantity, and eligibility, and they change over time.
What to know about generics
Same active ingredient
An FDA-approved generic has the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route as the brand, and must meet the same quality standards.
Usually much lower cost
Once generics are available, competition typically drives the cash price well below the brand. The size of the gap depends on the drug and the pharmacy.
Not every drug has one
Some newer or complex drugs have no generic yet, or only a biosimilar. In those cases we show the lowest-cost option we can verify, including manufacturer programs where they genuinely exist.
Ask before you switch
Whether a generic is right for you is a medical decision. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before changing what you take.
Prices vary by pharmacy, location, quantity, and eligibility, and they change over time.
Source: FDA — Generic Drug Facts.
Frequently asked questions
Are generic medications as effective as brand-name drugs?+
FDA-approved generics contain the same active ingredient and must meet the same standards for strength, quality, and performance as the brand. The FDA considers approved generics to be therapeutically equivalent. Always confirm any change with your prescriber or pharmacist.
How much can a generic save me?+
It varies widely by drug and pharmacy. For many common generics the cash price is a small fraction of the brand price, but there is no fixed amount. Prices vary by pharmacy, location, quantity, and eligibility.
Why do generics still cost different amounts at different pharmacies?+
Even for the same generic, each pharmacy sets its own cash markup, and discount programs vary. Comparing pharmacies is the way to find the lower price.
What if there is no generic for my medication?+
Some drugs have no generic yet. We still compare the available cash prices and surface manufacturer savings programs or lower-cost alternatives to discuss with your doctor where they exist.
Related savings guides
- Are Generic Drugs as Effective? What FDA Approval Requires
Learn what the FDA requires for generic drug approval, what bioequivalence means, and why generics generally work the same as brand-name drugs.
- Authorized Generics: Brand Quality at Generic Prices
Authorized generics are brand-name drugs sold without the brand label. Learn how they differ from typical generics and why they can be cheaper.
- Biosimilars: The Generic-Style Savings for Biologic Drugs
Biosimilars offer generic-style savings for expensive biologic drugs. Learn how they're approved, how they differ from generics, and what they can save you.
- How Generic Drugs Get Approved (and Why That Lowers Prices)
Generic drugs go through the FDA's ANDA process, proving bioequivalence rather than repeating clinical trials. Learn how this keeps generic prices lower.
- Generic vs Brand-Name Medications: Cost Differences Explained
How generic and brand-name medications differ in cost and FDA approval, with data on typical savings and what to ask your pharmacist.
- How to Find Cheaper Generic Medication Options
A practical process for finding lower-cost generic medications, from checking FDA equivalents to comparing pharmacy prices.