Same drug.
Different label.
Many brand-name prescriptions have an authorized generic: the same medicine, from the same maker, sold without the brand name. Look yours up and get the exact number to ask your pharmacist for.
- Try
budesonide and formoterol
160 mcg / 4.5 mcg · made by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Same maker, same medicine. No brand name on the label.
Three steps at the counter
- Look up your brand.Type the name on your prescription.
- Get the NDC number.It’s the 10-digit code that names the exact product, strength and package.
- Ask your pharmacist.Ask them to price that NDC and check your coverage. It’s often less than the brand.
What’s an authorized generic?
It’s the brand-name drug with the brand name taken off, sold under the brand’s own FDA approval. It isn’t a copy.
| Feature | Brand name | Authorized generic |
|---|---|---|
| FDA approval | The brand’s | The same one |
| Ingredients | Original | Same, including inactive ones |
| Label | Brand name | No brand name |
| Price | Usually highest | Often lower |
Regular generics are made by other companies under their own approval. They have the same active ingredient, but fillers and coatings can differ.
Questions people ask
Is it really the same medicine?
Yes. An authorized generic is sold under the brand’s own FDA approval, so it’s the same product: same active and inactive ingredients, same strength, same form. The pill or packaging may just look different.
Why didn’t my pharmacy offer it?
Pharmacies usually fill what their wholesaler stocks and your plan prefers, and many never check for an authorized generic. Asking by NDC number removes the guesswork. If they don’t have it, they can often order it within a day or two.
Will my insurance cover it?
Many plans cover authorized generics like other generics, but not all. Ask the pharmacy to run both the brand and the authorized generic NDC so you can compare what you’d pay.
Where does this information come from?
From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), updated every week.