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About This Quiz
If you've ever wondered whether or not the generic is as good as or the same as the name brand, good news; it is. The FDA requires that all generic drugs be what's called "chemically identical" to the matching brand name. And making the switch from brand to generic can have big savings -- as much as 73% for over-the-counter drugs, according to Consumer Reports. See if you can make the right matches.
You're at the store to buy Pepto-Bismol to help an upset stomach, but they're sold out of the brand name. What should you buy instead?
bactrim
baridium
belladonna
bismuth subsalicylate
Can't find Pepto? Bismuth subsalicylate's got you covered -- it's the same thing.
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Which of these is a brand name for the popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen?
Advil
Midol
Motrin
all of these are
The brands Advil, Midol and Motrin are the same as the generic pain reliever, ibuprofen.
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The antihistamine loratadine can be, as are a lot of generics, cheaper than brand names. Which brand name allergy med is the same thing?
Allegra
Claritin
Claritin was the prescription your doctor gave you for an antihistamine before the drug -- loratadine -- began being sold over the counter. Alavert and Dimetapp ND are also loratadine.
Singulair
Zyrtec
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You ask for two Tylenol but you've given two acetaminophen. Did you get the wrong medication?
yes, those meds aren't the same
no, they're the same thing
Tylenol and acetaminophen are pain relievers and fever reducers -- and they're the same thing.
no, but the dose is wrong
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Which brand name is also the common anti-diabetic medication metformin?
Fortamet
Glucophage
Glumetza
all of these
Metformin, a commonly-prescribed anti-diabetic medication, has several brand names, including these three.
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Which is the brand name for the pain reliever, naproxen?
Aleve
The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen, which is brand name Aleve, can help reduce pain, stiffness and swelling associated with arthritis and gout, as well as general aches and pains such as headaches and menstrual cramps.
Celebrex
Cymbalta
Demerol
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Tums is calcium carbonate. And milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide. What heartburn and indigestion med is a combination of the two?
Mi-Acid Double Strength
Mylanta Ultra
Rolaids
all of these
There's a selection of over-the-counter indigestion medications, including Mi-Acid Double Strength, Mylanta Ultra and Rolaids, that contain a combination of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
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Which analgesic musle rub does not contain a combination of methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil) and menthol?
Bengay
Deep Heat
Icy Hot
Vicks VapoSteam
Bengay, Deep Heat and IcyHot all contain methyl salicylate and menthol, but Vicks VapoSteam's active ingredient is camphor.
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If you're taking Prilosec for your chronic acid reflux and run out, which generic's got you covered?
esomeprazole
lansoprazole
omeprazole
Omeprazole is the generic form of the popular proton pump inhibitor Prilosec. Omeprazole reduces the amount of acid in your stomach and is commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
ranitidine
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The generic laxative bisacodyl is the same as which brand name?
Citrucel
Colace
Dulcolax
Bisacodyl USP is the same active ingredient as the brand name laxative Dulcolax.
Metamucil
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Tylenol PM is part Tylenol, which is acetaminophen, and part what?
carbinoxamine
chlorpheniramine
diphenhydramine
Tylenol PM is a combination of the pain reliever acetaminophen and the sleep-inducing diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine.
doxylamine
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Valium is often prescribed to treat anxiety. What's its generic name?
alprazolam
diazepam
Valium is an often-prescribed benzodiazepine that can ease the symptoms of short-term anxiety caused by anxiety disorders.
lorazepam
triazolam
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Oxymetazoline can help relieve nasal congestion from upper respiratory infections, like the common cold. What brand name is it known by?
Afrin
Oxymetazoline is a topical decongestant sold under the brand name Afrin. This nasal congestion spray started out as a prescription medication back in 1966 before it became over-the-counter.
Albalon
Sudafed
Visine
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Which is not a brand name for the expectorant guaifenesin?
Robitussin
Mucinex
Guaifenex
Tamiflu
Robitussin, Mucinex and Guaifenex, among others, are expectorants, but Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral used to treat influenza.
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Ranitidine is both an antacid (surprise!) and an antihistamine. What brand name antacid is it sold as?
Tagamet
Pepcid
Zantac
Ranitidine is what's known as a histamine-2 blocker. When it comes to its antacid abilities, it's known as the heartburn-reliever Zantac. Pepcid, generic famotidine, is usually used to treat or prevent stomach ulcers, as well as heartburn. And Tagamet, generic cimetidine, can help stop or slow down stomach acid production.
none of these
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Dimenhydrinate is the generic form of which motion sickness medicine?
Transderm-Scop
Sea-Legs
Phenergan
Dramamine
Dimenhydrinate is the generic form of the antiemetic Dramamine, taken for treating or preventing the dizziness, nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness.
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Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders. What brand name is it known by?
Abilify
Ativan
Lorazepam, a type of benzodiazepine, is used to treat anxiety disorders, seizure disorders, among other conditions. It's the generic name for the anti-anxiety medication Ativan.
Haldol
Xanax
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The blood thinner, Coumadin, is often called by its generic name, which is what?
enoxaparin
lovenox
heparin
warfarin
Coumadin is primarily used to treat and prevent blood clots. Many drugs -- and even some foods -- can interact with this blood thinner, so it's important to know it by all its names to avoid interaction. It's generic name? Warfarin.
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Fluoxetine is a well-known, well-used antidepressant known by which brand name?
Lexapro
Pristiq
Prozac
Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), known as the commonly-prescribed brand name Prozac.
Zoloft
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The over-the-counter adhesive patch Lidoderm is a commonly-used local painkiller that's also available under which generic name?
buprenorphine
cannabis
fentanyl
lidocaine
The Lidoderm transdermal patch delivers the same analgesic as the generic lidocaine transdermal patch 5 percent.
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Chloraseptic spray is used to get relief from sore throat and mouth pain, and it works by numbing the area. What's its generic equivalent?
benzocaine
dexamethasone
phenol
Phenol is often used in antiseptics and in disinfectants -- and its smell might remind you of a hospital. Additionally, it's used as a throat-numbing spray, as the generic form of Chloraseptic.
valacyclovir
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The laxative milk of magnesia can usually be counted on for overnight relief from constipation. Which is its generic name?
senna
magnesium hydroxide
It turns out that the suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water is a milky white color, which is where the name "milk of magnesia" comes from.
lactulose
glycerin
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Benzocaine's often found in topical pain relievers, especially for mouth pain, like canker sores. What's its brand name?
Anbesol
Blistex
Orajel Maximum Strength
all of these
Benzocaine is the same as the brand names Anbesol, Blistex and Orajel, as well as an ingredient in other topical analgesics, like Cēpacol.
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Which is not a brand name for the topical skin cream tretinoin in the U.S.?
Retin-A
Renova
Refissa
Metrocream
Tretinoin is also known as the brand names Retin-A, Renova and Refissa, among others. It's a vitamin A derivative that's used to reduce fine lines and pigmentation on aging faces. Metrocream, or metronidazole, is a topical antibiotic that's often used to treat rosacea.
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Benadryl can treat itching, sneezing, rashes, hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction. If you can't find it, what generic is the same?
cetirizine
cyclizine
diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine may best be known as the antihistamine, Benadryl, used to treat allergic reactions including seasonal allergies and hives.
hydroxyzine
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TheraFlu Cold is a combination of three generics. Which is not one of them?
acetaminophen
dextromethorphan
TheraFlu Cold is a combination of three generic drugs: acetaminophen, pheniramine and phenylephrine. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant found in Robitussin.
pheniramine
phenylephrine
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Topical hydrocortisone creams are used to treat itching, redness and other symptoms of various skin problems. It's sold under which brand name?
Caldecort
Cortaid
Cortizone
all of these
Topical hydrocortisone creams are sold under the brand names Caldecort, Cortaid and Cortizone, among many others.
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If your doctor prescribes you the cholesterol-lowering medicine Crestor, but your pharmacy fills it with the generic, what pills will the pharmacist give you?
atorvastatin
lovastatin
rosuvastatin
If your cholesterol-lowering prescription is refilled with rosuvastatin, you're taking the same active ingredient as the brand name Crestor.
simvastatin
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Psyllium is a soluble fiber that's made from the husk of psyllium plant seeds. It's known as which laxative brand?
Ex-Lax
Metamucil
Psyllium is known as the bulk-forming laxative Metamucil. It works by absorbing liquids in your intestines, which bulks up your stool.
MiraLax
Nature's Remedy
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Zyban is often prescribed to help people stop smoking. What's the generic form of this drug?
bupropion
Zyban is actually a repackaging of the antidepressant Wellbutrin, also known by the generic name bupropion. Varenicline, the other medication approved to help you quit smoking, is known as Chantix.
orlistat
varenicline
Zyban doesn't have a generic version
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What is the brand name of the over-the-counter cold sore treatment docosanol?
Abreva
Docosanol is the common over-the-counter cold sore treatment Abreva, used to shorten healing time.
Emtriva
Luvox
Valtrex
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Alendronate is used to treat bone loss. What's its brand name?
Actonel
Boniva
Fosamax
Alendronate, also known as the brand name Fosamax, is a class of medication used to treat thinning bones and to prevent bone loss caused by osteoporosis.
Reclast
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What is the brand name of the generic antifungal medicine terbinafine?
Diflucan
Lamisil
Terbinafine is also known as the over-the-counter antifungal medication, Lamisil. It's commonly used to treat athlete's foot, "jock itch" and ringworm.
Lotrimin
Monistat
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What's the brand name for the migraine treatment sumatriptan?
Botox
Excederin
Imitrex
Sumatriptan, commonly known by its brand name Imitrex, relieves migraine pain as well as other associated symptoms, such as nausea and light sensitivity.
Maxalt
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Levothyroxine is the generic equivalent of what common thyroid medication?
Tapazole
Synthroid
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of T4, a hormone that's produced by your thyroid gland, and if you have a sluggish thyroid you may know it as the brand name Synthroid.
Inderal
Cytomel
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You Got:
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