Eli5: what is the difference between a generic drug to the original drug, and why do some doctors will swear by the original drug?

Question

Eli5: what is the difference between a generic drug to the original drug, and why do some doctors will swear by the original drug?

In: 1046

Answer 1

In general they should be the same in that they both should use the same active ingredient in the same quantities but generics can use a different excipient (the inert part that is used just to “carry” the actual medicine) so it can be a different flavour or unpleasant in other ways, worst case scenario the generic has something your body reacts badly to or that makes it a bit less effective but tbh it is extremely rare so unless otherwise specified by your doctor you can use generics without issue