Are generics as safe as the brand name medication?

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that a generic medication work in the same way and provide the same clinical benefit as its brand name version. This means that generics must:

• Have the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form (such as a tablet, capsule or an injectable) as the brand name medication.
• Have the same use indications and be used in the same way (such as taken by mouth or applied to the skin) as the brand name medication.
• Have acceptable inactive ingredients.
• Be made under the same strict standards as the brand name medication.