Interests in more affordable forms of medicines has increased the interest in generic drugs. Generic drugs offer the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts at more affordable prices.

However, brand names adapt their medicines to customers’ particular preferences. If your medicine needs to have a different dose or come in a different form, you have the option of compounding medicines.

Let’s look at a few other things to help us understand the differences between generic medicines and compounding medicines: uses, benefits, limitations, and safety.

What are Generic Medicines?

Generic medicines are drugs that the FDA evaluates after an equivalent brand name drug is evaluated and approved. Generic medicines generally include the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as their brand-name counterparts.

Generic medicines are priced less because the research and development of the original drug does not need to be repeated. Generic medicines may use different inactive ingredients as the brand name medicine (i.e. color and fillers).

What are Compounding Medicines?

Compounding medicines are medications that are prepared by a pharmacist for an individual patient. The formulation of compounded medicines can be tailored for patients whose needs are not addressed by commercially available medicines.

For example, a patient that is unable to swallow a tablet may need a different dosage form. A compounding medicine is also needed when a specific strength or formulation is not available.

As with generic medicines, compounding medicines do not have FDA approval in the same way as commercially manufactured drugs. Pharmacy compounding adherence to regulations is essential to ensure quality.

Generic Medicine vs Compounding Medicine

The main difference is standard versus custom.

Generics are produced in uniform strengths, while compound meds cater to the individuality of your prescription.

Characteristic	Generic Medicine	Compounding Medicine
Main Purpose	Affordable alternative to name-brand meds	Precise meds for unique situations
Active Ingredient	Same as the brand	Possibility to select
Dosing	Manufacturing uniform strengths	Can be customized as necessary
Forms	Tablets, capsules, liquids, etc.	Can be alternative forms
Preparation	Manufactured	Compounding pharmacy
FDA Approval	Has to meet certain standards	Not FDA-Approved
Cost	Cheaper	Depends on desired formulations
Customization	Limited	Greater flexibility

Why Are Generic Medicines Popular?

The largest reason for the public’s preference towards generic medicines would be the price. Competition between suppliers of generic medicines tends to drive the prices much lower than their brand name equivalents.

Another reason is convenience. Since generics are produced in uniform strengths and dosage forms, they are especially easy to prescribe and obtain for the treatment of many of the more common conditions.

Cheaper does not mean worse. Generic medications that have FDA approval must meet the appropriate standards for quality, strength, purity, and performance.

When Can Compounding Be Useful?

Compounding is beneficial for patients whose needs cannot be met with generally produced medications. Compounding becomes necessary when:

Directed strength is unavailable.
The patient cannot swallow the directed formulations like tablets or capsules.
Inactive materials present cause intolerance to the patient.
An alternative form is necessary.
A commercial medication is not available for a prescribed period of time.

It should come down to real medical necessity. Just because a medicine is compounded does not make it inherently better than a non-customized version.

Can Compounding Reduce Medication Problems?

In some circumstances, a medication can be customized to help the patient to use the medication. For those people for whom swallowing is difficult, it may be easier to use a medication in a form other than a conventional pill.

It may also be more convenient and easier to adhere to the prescribed treatment. Compounding does not eliminate the side effects and cannot be a substitute for an essential medicine.

In such cases, a pharmacist and health care professional can determine if it is warranted.

Is a Generic Medicine Better Than a Compounded Medicine?

A generic medicine and a compounded medicine cannot be ranked in this way. The respective situations for which they are appropriate dictate which is better.

In this case, a generic medicine may be the preferred option. If an FDA-approved version of the medicine is available, it may be of better value and safer to use a generic medicine. A compounded medicine may be the preferred option if the commercially available medicine does not satisfy the requirements of the patient.

Generic vs Compounded Medicine: Safety

Safety is paramount for both, but they have different means of regulation.

FDA-approved generic medicines are assessed for quality, strength, and the performance and cannot be marketed until they have met the requirements of the FDA.

Compounded medicines are not evaluated by the FDA, and they are prepared under different regulations. Following the instructions of the prescribing healthcare professional and using a reputable compounding pharmacy are prudent.

Can You Switch Between Them?

Changes between pharmaceutical products should only be performed with the consultation of a healthcare professional. This is especially true when switching from one type of product to a compounded product, or vise versa. Compounded products can vary with regard to route of administration, dose, inactive excipients, and formulation.

It is especially important to consult a healthcare professional before switching compounded products to a commercially manufactured product. The professional may determine if a manufactured product is a suitable alternate to the compounded product.

Generic Medicine vs Compounding Medicine: Which Should You Choose?

The correct choice depends on the needs of the patients.

Generic medicines can be very cost effective for patients when there is a standard and approved formulation of the drug by the FDA. Generic medicines can be convenient and cost effective alternatives for many patients.

Compounding medicines should be considered when a patient requires a specific formulation of a drug that is not available on the market.

The best thing to do with regard to the options that may be compounded versus generic medicines is to consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Final Thoughts

Generics and compounding provide medicines that fulfill different needs. Generic medicines are easily available and standardized, and usually offer a less expensive alternative to brand name drugs. Compounding medicines can provide a drug that satisfies a patient’s needs through the customization of a prescription by a healthcare professional.

For many patients, the clear choice is generic medicines. Compounding medicines may be necessary to fulfill the needs of a patient if the standard formulations of a drug do not fulfill the patient’s needs.

If you’re planning to buy medicine online in the USA, Meds4Go.com is one option you can check. The website offers both generic and branded medicines, so you can compare different products and prices in one place. Before placing an order, make sure the medicine is right for your prescription and follow your doctor’s advice.