Generic medications

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
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Okay, I lied in the title. The artificial tears I use for my LASIK postOp care aren't medicated.

But, I bought some Walgreen brand vials because they were much cheaper than the Refresh Plus brand I was buying before. Now, I wish I'd never bought the Walgreen's brand.

For starters, the tip of the vial is very wide and round. Whenever you attempt to drop the tear in the eye, it usually rolls down the tip and onto my fingers.

Secondly, it doesn't seem to actually moisturize my eyes. Even after using them every half hour all day, my eyes are very red and dry.

After the traffic dies down outside, I'm grabbing my emergency CC and buying the brand name stuff again.
 

Kur

Senior member
Feb 19, 2005
677
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I work at CVS and always suggest the retail brand over store brand. I am SUPPOSED to do it the other way around but after seeing how many recalls we get I gave up on store brand products.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,236
1,722
126
Be sure to bring in what's left of the generic and any of the packaging you have. Speak with a the Store Manager, an Assistant Manager, or the Pharmacy manager, they should at the very least give you a refund on the generic eye drops that didn't work.

Also, It might make sense to write a letter to corporate to let them know how you feel about their generic artificial tears. They would probably thank you by sending a gift certificate of some type.
 

xtknight

Elite Member
Oct 15, 2004
12,974
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Eh eye drops maybe... but bretty much no difference between "generic" acetaminophen and Tylenol though, right?
 

Farbio

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2000
3,855
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Originally posted by: xtknight
Eh eye drops maybe... but bretty much no difference between "generic" acetaminophen and Tylenol though, right?


actually, i feel the exact opposite. Pharmacist @ walgreens, and one of the very few things I actually reccommend brand name on is Tylenol. Just seen too many complications from acetaminophen to worry about a few bucks on it.

regarding the eye drops, some of the inactive ingredients in the lubricants can be different which can cause different reactions/effectiveness in different people. The manager should give you a credit towards the brand name if you bring the opened & receipt back with out any problems.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,236
1,722
126
Originally posted by: xtknight
Eh eye drops maybe... but bretty much no difference between "generic" acetaminophen and Tylenol though, right?

There is no measurable difference in active ingredients from any brand to generic drug. If there was a difference, then the pharmacy would not be allowed to sell the generic.

The only real differences are in the fillers, dyes, and the facts that the generic companies don't spend a bazillion dollars on r&d, and they don't spend a penny on marketing. BTW, most drug companies these days spend more on marketing than on research.