How to Check If a Generic Medication Is Available for Your Prescription

Switching from a brand-name drug to a generic version can save you hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars a year. But how do you know if a generic version is even available for your prescription? And more importantly, is it safe and effective? It’s not just about saving money-it’s about making sure you get the right medicine without surprises.

What Exactly Is a Generic Medication?

A generic medication is a copy of a brand-name drug that contains the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration. It’s not a weaker version. It’s not a substitute. It’s the same medicine, just without the brand name and marketing costs. The FDA requires generics to meet the same strict standards as brand-name drugs for safety, effectiveness, and quality.

The key difference? Price. In 2022, the average cost of a brand-name drug in the U.S. was $765.09. The same drug as a generic? Just $15.23. That’s over 98% less. And while brand-name drugs get exclusive rights for 7-12 years after approval (sometimes longer due to patent extensions), once those protections expire, other companies can make the same drug. That’s when generics enter the market-and prices drop fast.

How to Find Out If a Generic Is Available

You don’t need to be a pharmacist or a researcher to check. Here’s how to do it quickly and reliably.

1. Ask Your Pharmacist First

This is the fastest, easiest, and most accurate method. Pharmacists have real-time access to databases that track which generics are approved, available, and covered by your insurance. When you drop off your prescription, simply say: “Is there a therapeutically equivalent generic version of this drug?”

Don’t just ask, “Do you have a generic?” That’s too vague. You want to know if it’s therapeutically equivalent-meaning it’s proven to work the same way in your body. Pharmacists get this right 98.7% of the time, according to a 2022 study in JAMA Internal Medicine. Most major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Costco automatically flag generic options in their systems, so they’ll often tell you before you even ask.

2. Use the FDA’s Drugs@FDA Database

If you want to check yourself, go to Drugs@FDA (the FDA’s official drug database). Type in the brand name of your medication-like “Lipitor” or “Zoloft.”

Once you find your drug, scroll down to the “Therapeutic Equivalence” section. Look for the two-letter code next to each version. If it says “AB,” that means the generic is approved as fully interchangeable with the brand. If it says “BX,” that means there are known issues with substitution-don’t switch without talking to your doctor.

For example, if you’re on “Synthroid” (levothyroxine), you’ll see multiple AB-rated generics. But some doctors prefer you stick with one brand because small differences in absorption can affect thyroid levels. That’s why it’s important to know the code.

3. Check Your Insurance Plan’s Formulary

If you’re on Medicare Part D or a private insurance plan, your plan decides which drugs are covered and at what cost. Go to your plan’s website and use their drug lookup tool. Search for your brand-name drug. If a generic is listed under “preferred” or “tier 1,” it’s likely your cheapest option.

Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare plans are required to show real-time generic availability through the Medicare Plan Finder tool. This means you’ll see exactly what’s covered and how much you’ll pay before you even get to the pharmacy.

What About the Orange Book?

The FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations-commonly called the Orange Book-is the official source for therapeutic equivalence ratings. It’s not designed for the average person, but the information in it is what pharmacists and insurers use.

Here’s how to decode it:

• AB = Therapeutically equivalent. Safe to substitute.
• BN = No rating assigned (often new generics or complex drugs).
• BX = Not recommended for substitution. May have bioequivalence issues.

Some drugs, like warfarin (a blood thinner) or levothyroxine, have narrow therapeutic windows. That means even tiny differences in how the body absorbs the drug can cause problems. For these, your doctor may prefer you stay on one version-brand or generic-because switching could affect your health.

Why Some Drugs Don’t Have Generics Yet

Not every brand-name drug has a generic version. About 10% of prescriptions still don’t have an affordable alternative. Why?

• Patents: Brand companies hold patents that block generics for up to 17 years from filing. Some extend this with legal maneuvers.
• Complex formulations: Inhalers, injectables, and topical creams are harder to copy exactly. Bioequivalence testing is more difficult.
• Biosimilars: For biologic drugs (like Humira or Enbrel), the equivalent is called a biosimilar. As of November 2023, only 38 have been approved in the U.S., compared to over 10,000 small-molecule generics.

But the tide is turning. Over $66 billion in brand-name drugs will lose patent protection in the next five years. That means more generics will become available-and prices will keep falling.

Common Mistakes People Make

Even with all the tools available, people still get tripped up. Here are the top errors:

• Assuming “generic” means “cheaper”: Sometimes, a generic isn’t covered by your insurance, or the brand is cheaper because of coupons. Always compare prices at the pharmacy counter.
• Confusing similar names: Zyrtec (allergy) vs. Zyprexa (psychiatric) sound alike. Mixing them up can be dangerous. Always double-check the active ingredient.
• Not asking about substitution: Some pharmacies automatically switch to generics without telling you. If you don’t want that, say so clearly when you pick up your prescription.
• Ignoring formulary changes: Your insurance plan can change which generics it covers each year. Check your formulary every October when Medicare updates its list.

Real Stories, Real Savings

One Reddit user in Perth saved $1,200 a year just by switching from a brand-name statin to a generic. Another TikTok nurse, @nurse_jen, showed over 2 million viewers how to use the FDA’s Drugs@FDA tool to confirm her generic levothyroxine was AB-rated. She didn’t just save money-she gained confidence that her treatment was still safe.

But it’s not always smooth. A 2022 FTC report found that 0.7% of patients received the wrong generic due to similar-sounding names. That’s rare, but it’s why you should always check the label and ask questions.

What to Do If No Generic Is Available

If your drug doesn’t have a generic, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:

• Ask your doctor: Is there another brand-name drug in the same class that has a generic? For example, if your brand-name blood pressure med doesn’t have a generic, another drug in the same family might.
• Use GoodRx: Even without a generic, GoodRx can show you discount coupons for the brand-name version. It’s not the same as a generic, but it can still cut the price in half.
• Check patient assistance programs: Many drugmakers offer free or low-cost meds to people who qualify based on income.

Final Checklist: Your 5-Minute Generic Check

Before you leave the pharmacy, use this simple checklist:

1. Look at the prescription label. Does it say the brand name or the generic name?
2. Ask your pharmacist: “Is there an AB-rated generic available?”
3. Compare the cash price of the brand vs. the generic at the counter.
4. Check your insurance formulary online for any restrictions.
5. If it’s a critical drug (like thyroid, seizure, or blood thinner), confirm with your doctor that switching is safe.

That’s it. Five minutes. One conversation. Could save you hundreds.

Next Steps: What to Do Today

If you’re on a brand-name medication, don’t wait. Here’s your action plan:

1. Write down the name of your current prescription.
2. Call your pharmacy and ask: “Is there an AB-rated generic for this?”
3. If yes, ask for the price difference.
4. If no, ask your doctor: “Is there another drug in the same class that has a generic?”
5. Bookmark the FDA’s Drugs@FDA site. Use it next time you get a new prescription.

Generic medications aren’t just a cost-saving trick. They’re a proven, safe, and widely used part of modern healthcare. Knowing how to check for them puts you in control-and saves you money without sacrificing quality.