Top-Selling Generic Drugs
Generic and Brand-Name Drugs
Generic drugs are as safe and effective as the brand-name drugs. They are exact copies of
the brand-name medications, show the same pharmacological effect, and have the same
risks and benefits. Both brands and generics are of the same quality, as their facilities have
to meet the production standards of the Good Manufacturing Practice.

The main advantage of the generics is their price. They are considerably less expensive
than the brand name counterparts as the manufacturers do not carry the investment costs
for the development and advertising of  the new medications. The average price of a brand
is $96, whereas the average price of a generic medication is $29.

The sales of generic medications constantly increase. The global sales of generics will
increase from $29 billion in 2003 to $84 billion in 2010. The main reason for the growth of
this market is the raise of the health insurance costs due to the aging of the population and
increase of morbidity with the increase of the life span. The generic drugs development is
also stimulated by recent and forthcoming patent expirations of many successful brand
products.

The sites below provide information about top-selling brand and
generic products

Top 300 Prescriptions for 2005
Rx-List presents the top 300 prescriptions for 2005 by number of prescriptions dispensed
in USA. Alphabetical listing is also available.

Top 200 Most Prescribed Drugs 2003
Presented by Mosby's DrugConsult. The list is a compilation of the top 200 medications for
2003 ranked by number of prescriptions, and is based on data from Scott-Levin, Newton,
PA.

Top 200 Generic Drugs
DrugTopics presents the list of the top 200 generics by unit in 2003.

Top 200 List
Drugs.com offers an alphabetical list of top 200 medications. The list is based on
information gathered from user searches and survey results.

How to Buy Generics Online?
Buying generics online is very convenient, but sometimes risky. The FDA offers the
following tips for buying online:
Buying Prescription Medicine Online

- The consumer should see if the site requires a prescription and has a pharmacist
available for questions.
- Buy only from state-licensed pharmacies. The National Association of Boards of
Pharmacies has more information about licensing and its program to certify online
pharmacies.
- Personal information such as credit card numbers should not be provided unless one is
sure that the site will protect them.

How to Find if a Generic Drug is Available for a Brand Name
Product
You can find generic equivalents by using the Electronic Orange Book and search by
proprietary (brand) name. Then you search again by using the active ingredient name. If
other manufacturers are listed besides the "brand name" ones in this search, they are the
generic products manufacturers.

Pill Identification
To perform a pill identification, use the following resources:
Pill Identification at Drugs.com
Pill Image at Drugs.com
Pill Images at DrugDigest
RxList Pill Identification Tool
Top Generic Equivalents from Trusted Pharmacies
Erectile Dysfunction
Viagra (sildenafil citrate); Cialis (tadalafil); Levitra (vardenafil)
You can Buy best sildenafil citrate on the net

Pain Relief
Celebrex (celecoxib); Ultram (tramadol);  Mobic (meloxicam); Fioricet
(butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine); Imitrex (sumatriptan)

Antidepressants
Prozac (fluoxetine); Zoloft (sertraline);  Paxil (paroxetine); Wellbutrin (bupropion);
Celexa (citalopram); Effexor (venlafaxine)

Anti-Anxiety/Hypnotics
Anti-Anxiety: Buspar (buspirone)
Hypnotics: Ambien (zolpidem) and Sonata (zaleplon)

Hair Loss and Skin Care Products
Propecia (finasteride); Retin-A (Tretinoin)

Weight Loss Products
Xenical (orlistat); Acomplia (rimonabant)

Lipid Lowering Medications
Lipitor (atorvastatin); Zocor (simvastatin); Pravachol (pravastatin)

Anti-Allergy
Claritin (loratadine); Allegra (fexofenadine HCl); Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Gastrointestinal
Zantac (ranitidine); Prilosec (omeprazole);
Nexium (esomeprazole); Prevacid (lansoprazole); Cytotec (misoprostol)

Antidiabetic
Glucophage (metformin); Diamicron (gliclazide); Starlix (nateglinide); Actos
(pioglitazone)

Muscle Relaxants
Soma (carisoprodol); Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine); Zanaflex (tizanidine)

Women's Health Products
Contraceptives: Ovral (estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive); Ortho Tri-Cyclen
(norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
Ovulatory Stimulators: Clomid (clomiphene)
Antifungals: Diflucan (fluconazole); Sporanox (itraconazole); Lamisil (terbinafine)
Osteoporosis Treatment: Fosamax (alendronate);  Evista (raloxifene); Actonel
(risedronate)

Antiherpes
Zovirax (acyclovir); Valtrex (valacyclovir); Famvir (famciclovir)

Cardiovascular
Norvasc (amlodipine); Tenormin (atenolol); Inderal (propranolol); Altace (ramipril);
Vasotec (enalapril);  Zestril (lisinopril); Plavix (clopidogrel)
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the
advice of a licensed physician. Please consult a licensed health care provider regarding your
medical condition. For USA orders the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires an online
prescription from a qualified medical practitioner to cover the purchase of prescription
medications.All trademarks and registered marks are properties of their respective companies.



For contacts with the FDA, please visit the Web address: www.fda.gov/comments.html
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