Last updated on October 9th, 2024 at 04:00 pm
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Generic Medicines for Diabetes
People with diabetes frequently take various medications, such as insulin, blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol-lowering medications. Because research suggests that patients suffering from diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from blood pressure and other chronic illnesses. Consuming medicines for all such health issues regularly can increase medicine expense. If generic versions of the medication are available, taking them can help you save money.
However, some detractors have cast doubt on generic medicine for diabetes, suggesting they are inferior. Are branded medications much different from generic versions? If not, why don’t they exist in greater numbers, and why aren’t they consumed more frequently?
Branded Medicine price vs Generic Medicine price for Diabetes
What are generic drugs?
All medications have generic names, whether prescribed or purchased over the counter. These names are not subject to trademark protection. The patent owned by the drug’s creator must expire before a drug can be offered as a generic. A patent grants the drug’s creator the sole authority to market the medication under its brand name for a predetermined period.
For instance, Bristol-Myers Squibb sells metformin(first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes) under the brand name Glucophage. For many years, Glucophage was the only metformin brand available worldwide. However, in 2002, when the drug’s patent expired, other pharmaceutical companies received the approval to market their metformin brands. Currently, there are
over 200 Metformin tablets that have the same composition and effect as Glucophage being sold in India.
Typically, generic medications cost a small percentage of what branded medications do. For instance, the cost of generic metformin costs three times less than that brand-name Metformin.
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Available Generic medicines for diabetes
There are generic versions of some of the medications used to treat Diabetes, including the following;
- Only the generic version of the rarely used first-generation sulfonylurea acetohexamide is offered. (Drug interactions are more likely with first-generation sulfonylureas.)
- Another first-generation sulfonylurea, tolazamide (Tolinase), is offered in generic form.
- Generic glimepiride (Amaryl) is accessible.
- There is also a generic version of glipizide, marketed under the brand names Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL.
- There is a generic version of glibenclamide, known by the brand names DiaBeta, Micronase, and Glynase.
Patent expiration dates indicate when brand-name medications might become generic versions. Still, they provide estimates because patent extensions and litigation for patent infringement might force. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) issues marketing clearances while the Indian Patent Office issues patents; the two departments don’t cross-check their work.
1) Insulins for Diabetes
A hormone called insulin aids in controlling blood sugar. As a pharmaceutical, various forms of insulin are offered, some of which act for up to a day and others for just a few hours.
However, those with type 1 diabetes and those with type 2 diabetes who have not reacted well to oral treatment are offered insulin (tablets).
2) Oral combination therapy
Generic medication therapy, including all the above list, works in various ways to lower blood glucose levels. Thus they can be combined. For instance, a biguanide and a sulfonylurea (types of drugs) could be combined. Numerous combinations are possible.
Combining oral drugs can enhance blood glucose management when taking only one pill does not have the intended benefits, even if doing so can be more expensive and raise the risk of side effects. It is less effective to add another type of Diabetes medication than to switch from one pill to another.
Benefits of Generic Medicines for Diabetes
Generic medicines offer several benefits for people with diabetes, including:
1) Cost savings:
The biggest benefit of generic medicines is that they are much less expensive than brand-name versions. This can help people with diabetes save money on their medications and make them more accessible.
2) Efficacy:
Generic medicines are as effective as brand-name versions in treating diabetes symptoms and controlling blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that generic medicines are just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts.
3) Easy access:
Generic medicines are available at most pharmacies and drug stores, making them easy to obtain. This makes them a convenient option for people with diabetes who need access to medication regularly. For instance, at Medkart, we promote generic medicines through our 100+ stores pan India.
4) Safety:
Generic medicines must meet stringent safety standards like brand-name versions to be just as safe. All the generic medicines are WHO-GMP-certified and CDSCO-approved.
However, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting a new medication to ensure it will not interact with any other medications you are taking or cause any adverse effects.
Conclusion
The best diabetic treatment does not apply to everyone. One person’s solution might not be suitable for another. Your doctor can explain how one drug or a combination of drugs can work in your diabetes treatment.
Combining medications can make each drug more effective at lowering blood sugar. Ultimately, generic medicines can be an effective treatment option for people with diabetes who need access to affordable medication regularly. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting a new medication and follow their instructions carefully when taking generic medicines for diabetes.
Order generic medicines for diabetes at Medkart
Medkart is an online pharmacy that provides generic medicines for diabetes at a discounted rate. It offers a wide range of diabetic medications, such as metformin, glipizide, and glyburide, as well as dietary supplements and blood sugar monitors.
All generic medicines are sourced directly from the manufacturer, ensuring high-quality products. Customers can also order generic medicines for diabetes on medkart.in. Also, you can download Medkart application on android and iOS and order medicines.
