Generic drugs online

How to Use This Site

Controlled Drug

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 assigned medicines witi_ tial for abuse to a specific schedule in the United States. A CA schedule is also given when applicable. A description of the schedu, controlled drugs is found at the back of your guide.

Available for Purchase by Generic Name

in general, costs can be greatly reduced by buying a generic equivalent of a brand-name product. The key word is "equivalent." It is important to make sure that "bioavailability and bioequivalence"-the comparative composition, quality, and effectiveness of the generic versus the brandname drug product-is the same if a substitution is made. Further discussions of bioavailability and bioequivalence will be found in the Glossary (Section Five).

Brand Names

I realize that generic or chemical names of medicines can be complicated, so brand names are given to help. Brand names are listed for the United States and for Canada (+). A combination drug (one with more than one active ingredient) is identified by [CD] following the brand name. Be careful! In some cases a name used in both the United States and Canada will represent entirely different generic drugs (in a single drug product), or a significantly different mixture of generic medicines. If you travel between the two countries, make sure that the brand name drug contains the same generic medicine(s).

Benefits versus Risks

This summarizes the "pros" and "cons" for each drug. Capital letters emphasize the drug's principal benefits and risks, while lowercase letters are used for less critical benefits and risks. One look reveals the "comparative weights" of the two columns and gives a first impression about how a drug's benefits relate to its potential risks. This is meant to help you become more circumspect in your use of medicines, and is not to be the sole basis for deciding whether or not to use a drug. Failure to individualize drug selection and dose is probably the greatest weakness in current drug therapy.