Ask questions via twitter! Message any question to @answers on twitter. We'll publish the question and send you a reply each time there's a new answer.

Warning About Drugs Questions


 

Mahalo Answers is a great place to start your research into Drugs questions, but it's not the final answer.

Mahalo Answers is not a substitute for informed professional advice. If you desire or require professional advice, please consult a qualified provider who is licensed in your state or country. You should always seek independent professional advice before acting on any opinion, advice, or information available on Mahalo Answers.

 
 


Next Question

Answered Question

jkepler jkepler
 
M$1 September 03, 2009 05:57 AM

Do you buy Advil or generic ibuprofen? Why do you select the one you do? Would a coupon change your mind?

In regards to the Advil Coupons Mahalo page.
Interesting Question?  Yes (0)   No (0)   
RSS
 
 

Best Answer  Chosen by Asker

mrcal mrcal
 
 September 03, 2009 01:13 PM
I spent a couple of years working at a generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, so I always buy generics. Here's the thing - generic manufacturers must prove that their drugs are "bioequivalents" to the branded product, so they do go through a testing process to ensure they are effective. What is not part of the cost is the huge R&D and Marketing expenses of a branded pharmaceutical. If the drug you need is available as a generic, my opinion would be you should buy generic.
Source(s):
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/HowDrugsareDevelopedand...

Asker's Rating:
• Hey mrcal. Thanks for the great answer! I especially like that you talked about your experience (previous employment, in this case), as well as that you included a reference.


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip mrcal for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
mrcal mrcal
 
September 03, 2009 06:19 PM
Sorry - didn't mention that a coupon would change my mind. If the price was the same or the difference was very small, I would probably consider a branded drug.

Report
 
 

Other Answers (11)

Sort By
psycgirl psycgirl
 
September 03, 2009 06:31 AM
Yes! These days I buy mainly based on coupons because I don't really care about what brand I am buying my priority is price and I need to stick within a budget so that is what counts.

I usually buy aleve mainly but we do have some need for ibuprofen or advil from time to time. We just buy what ever is cheapest at the store at that moment. It really doesn't matter to us.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gOaqg9rbMPbBSM:http://ehapc.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dollar-sign.jpg
Source(s):
http://ehapc.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dollar-sign.jpg


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip psycgirl for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
cmiller cmiller
 
September 03, 2009 07:16 AM
With me, cost is an issue. If the coupon for actual Advil put it within the same price range as the generic, then I think I would go ahead and buy the Advil. However, there is usually a substantial price difference so it would have to be a pretty good coupon.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip cmiller for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
goldy goldy
 
September 03, 2009 07:24 AM
Personally i buy generic ibuprofen, as i have not found a difference between the "strength" of any brands to the generics, and due to the sometimes huge price differences naturally i will get the cheapest i can, coupons will only make me buy advil if the price is either comparable or cheaper than the generic. Otherwise the coupons will not make me spend more than i need to.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip goldy for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
psionandy psionandy
 
September 03, 2009 08:09 AM
unless someone can demonstrate why the branded product, along with its expensive advertising, works better than the same drug in a plain while box, I'll buy the cheaper option.

If a coupon makes advil cheaper than the generic i'll get that

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip psionandy for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
winespy winespy
 
September 03, 2009 08:48 AM
Price, pure and simple, is why I buy generics, especially if it is something like generic Ibuprofen that I take very often.

However, I try to keep on eye (through the Internet and other media) on generic scandals when it turns out that certain generics are not equivalent in efficacy (which happens more that one would like to think).

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip winespy for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
cxyf cxyf
 
September 03, 2009 03:29 PM
I usually go for the generic because it works just as well as the name brand. A coupon probably wouldn't change my mind because the generic at full price is often a better deal than the name brand with the coupon discount. If the coupon brought the name brand price down to below the generic price, then I bould buy Advil.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip cxyf for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
fightingba... fightingba...
 
September 03, 2009 04:10 PM
When purchasing say Advil, if you compare with the genetic it has the same ingredients just cheaper, but if the name brand Advil would be cheaper with a coupon that would be what I purchase. They work the same so it is a matter of the better deal at the time. Also important to check quantity and mgs, sometimes you think there the same but mgs may be smaller, etc. Good question.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip fightingback for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
re_io_ms re_io_ms
 
September 03, 2009 04:15 PM
I will buy the Advil only if the price of it will be the same as or less than the generic. Reading the back of both battles usually list the same ingredients and even the same manufacturer so buying brand would not make me feel better any faster than most generics based on ingredients listed.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip re_io_ms for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
angelsharu... angelsharu...
 
September 03, 2009 07:13 PM
I most often buy generic ibuprofen. I do this because it is cheaper than Advil and has the same indgredients. I have never had a problem taking generic drugs, so this seems the best option financially.

A coupon that made name brand Advil the same price as the generic ibuprofen would change my mind, but one with just a little off probably would not.

Tags: ibuprofen

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip angelsharum for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
omicron omicron
 
September 04, 2009 04:18 AM
Depends where I am.

Generic if I'm in a countries having enforced regulations about the quality of generics, otherwise I'll go for the brand name just to be sure.

And yes, coupons always motivate, whether for the generic or the brandname.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip omicron for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
don5601 don5601
 
September 06, 2009 09:24 PM
I have to say Advil I love it never have gone wrong with it . Also some times I will use the coupons to save money on my meds.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip don5601 for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 

Answer this Question

How tips and payments work

This question has already been resolved. You may add an answer to it but you will not be eligible to win best answer or any associated tips.

Related Questions

View All Drugs Questions

Ask a Question


140 characters left
Top of Page
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal

Top Members

This Week All Time
  • cfinke
    cfinke
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    26536 Points
    M$29.75 Earned
  • opher
    opher
    Purple Belt with a Brown Tip
    5371 Points
    M$215.59 Earned
  • thisjustme
    thisjustme
    Green Belt
    1143 Points
    M$76.05 Earned
   See All
 

Most Popular Tags

mahalo(1729)
twitter(967)
music(492)
iphone(479)
google(376)
food(332)
online(330)
internet(309)
beer(282)
money(278)
movies(275)
apple(256)
facebook(249)
answers(237)
aotd(235)
health(226)
video(219)
free(219)
dog(209)
windows(202)
   See All
 

Categories

Welcome New Members


 
 
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.

Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.

Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More

 
 

Please log in to use this function.

Answers Home | Ask a Question | Earn Points | How Tips Work | Widget