Generic Blood Pressure Medications: Are They Just as Good?

With the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, more people with hypertension are turning to generic blood pressure medications to save money. Generic medications are medications thought to be equivalent in activity to brand name prescriptions but sold at a lower price. These medications can be distributed as generics because the patent on the drug has expired, meaning multiple manufacturers can manufacture it, thus lowering the price.

When it comes to generic blood pressure medications, there’s some concern on the part of the consumer and even some doctors that generic medications may not have the same degree of clinical benefit as brand name blood pressure medications. It’s only natural to assume that because a product is cheaper, it may not be of the same quality.

Generic blood pressure medications are considered to be “bioequivalent” to their brand name counterparts, meaning that these medications have the same equivalent chemical action as the original, brand name drug. A generic medication can differ from the brand name in terms of the inactive fillers added to the medication and the way the pill looks, such as the shape and color. This can create doubt and confusion for consumers who expect to see the generic medication appear the same as the brand name they’ve been taking.

At least when it comes to generic blood pressure medications and heart medications, it appears that generic meds are similar to the brand name ones. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this month analyzed a variety of drugs used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Their analysis of a group of forty-seven studies comparing generic blood pressure medications to brand name ones showed the two to be equivalent in terms of clinical outcome. This is the first comprehensive analysis ever published that compares generic blood pressure medications and brand name ones in terms of their equivalency.

This study would suggest that if you’re taking a generic blood pressure medication or a medication for a heart related condition; you are most likely getting the same benefits as you would get by taking the more expensive brand name medication. Despite this, many doctors are still resistant to prescribing generic medications, particularly when it comes to heart and blood pressure medications.

If you’re concerned about saving money on your medications, consider asking your doctor to allow you to try a generic blood pressure medication. If he agrees, closely monitor your blood pressure for several weeks to be sure your pressures stay under control after the switch. This should provide the reassurance you and your doctor need to feel comfortable with the lower cost generic medication.