General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
A different pack does not necessarily mean a different treatment. The international nonproprietary name identifies the active ingredient. It may appear on a prescription alongside a brand name and on a pack with the manufacturer's name.
To check the relationship between two packs, identify the substance, strength and pharmaceutical form. Discuss these with the pharmacist against the prescription; they do not authorise you to replace a medicine yourself.
A generic contains the same amount of active ingredient as its reference medicine and must demonstrate bioequivalence. Tablet colour, packaging and some inactive ingredients may nevertheless differ.
Ask which previous medicine the new pack replaces. The pharmacist records the supplied generic on the prescription; keep the relationship clear and bring that prescription to the next consultation.
Do not take the original brand alongside the generic replacing it because you think they are two separate treatments. Ameli identifies this as a possible error, particularly when appearance or name changes.
If strength, formulation or an instruction seems different, have it checked before changing how you take it. Prepare both packs for the conversation rather than sending medical documents through a public channel.
Sources
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