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

When your doctor writes a prescription, you might not realize that the medication you’re about to pick up could cost you hundreds of dollars more than a nearly identical version sitting right beside it on the pharmacy shelf. That cheaper version? It’s a generic medication. And in most cases, it’s just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug you’re used to seeing advertised on TV.

But how do you know if a generic version is available for your prescription? And more importantly, how do you make sure it’s actually safe to switch? You don’t need a pharmacy degree to find out. You just need to know where to look and what to ask.

What Exactly Is a Generic Medication?

A generic medication contains the exact same active ingredient as the brand-name drug. Same dose. Same way it’s taken - pill, liquid, injection. Same intended effect on your body. The only real differences are the inactive ingredients (like fillers or dyes) and the packaging. And the price. Generics typically cost 80-85% less. In 2022, the average brand-name drug cost $765.09. The generic version? Just $15.23.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires generics to meet strict standards. They must prove they’re bioequivalent - meaning your body absorbs them at the same rate and to the same extent as the brand-name drug, within a range of 80-125%. That’s not a guess. It’s tested in clinical studies. And they must be manufactured in the same kind of facilities, under the same quality controls.

Over 90% of all prescriptions filled in the U.S. are for generics. That’s more than 6 billion prescriptions a year. The reason? They save patients and the healthcare system billions.

How to Find Out If a Generic Is Available

There are four reliable ways to check if a generic version of your prescription is available - and they’re not all equally easy to use.

1. Ask Your Pharmacist First

This is the fastest, easiest, and most accurate method. Pharmacists have direct access to real-time databases like First Databank and Medi-Span that tell them instantly which generics are approved and available. A 2022 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found pharmacists correctly identify generic alternatives 98.7% of the time.

When you drop off your prescription, say: “Is there a therapeutically equivalent generic available for this?” Don’t just ask, “Do you have a generic?” That’s too vague. You want to know if it’s officially rated as interchangeable by the FDA.

Most major pharmacy chains - CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid - automatically flag generic substitutions in their systems. In 92% of cases, they’ll alert you before you even ask.

2. Use the FDA’s Drugs@FDA Database

If you want to check yourself, go to Drugs@FDA. Type in the brand name of your medication. Look for the “Therapeutic Equivalence Code” under the approval details.

You’re looking for an “AB” rating. That means the generic is approved as equivalent and interchangeable. If you see “BX,” that means the FDA has concerns about interchangeability - maybe because the drug has a narrow therapeutic window, like warfarin or levothyroxine. In those cases, switching isn’t automatic.

It takes 8-12 minutes the first time you use it. But once you know where to look, it’s quick. The FDA launched a simplified “Generic Drug Search” tool in October 2023 to make this easier for regular users. Over 200,000 people used it in the first month.

3. Check Your Insurance Formulary

If you’re on Medicare Part D, Medicaid, or private insurance, your plan has a list of covered drugs - called a formulary. That list tells you which generics your plan will pay for, and which ones require prior authorization.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder (updated every October 15) to search your specific plan. Other insurers have similar tools on their websites. Search by the brand name. If a generic is listed as preferred or covered, you’re good to go.

But be careful: some plans automatically switch you to a generic without telling you. A 2023 study found 41% of Medicare beneficiaries were confused when their drug changed without prior notice.

4. Try GoodRx or Similar Apps

Apps like GoodRx are great for comparing prices. They’ll show you the lowest cash price for both brand and generic versions at nearby pharmacies. But they don’t always tell you if a generic is officially rated as therapeutically equivalent.

GoodRx is used by over 35 million Americans monthly. It’s helpful for savings, but don’t rely on it alone to determine safety or equivalence. Always cross-check with the FDA’s rating or ask your pharmacist.

When Generics Aren’t an Option

Not every brand-name drug has a generic version. About 10% of medications still don’t have generics available. Why?

• Patents: Brand-name companies hold patents that prevent generics from being made for up to 17 years from filing. Some get extensions, so it can take longer.
• Complex formulations: Drugs like inhalers, patches, or injectables are harder to copy exactly. Bioequivalence testing is more complicated.
• Low demand: If a drug is only used by a small number of people, companies don’t invest in making a generic version.

Also, some drugs - especially those with a narrow therapeutic index - are tricky to switch. Even tiny differences in how the body absorbs the drug can cause problems. That’s why doctors sometimes say, “Don’t substitute.”

Examples include:

• Warfarin (blood thinner)
• Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone)
• Phenytoin (seizure medication)
• Cyclosporine (organ transplant drug)

For these, your doctor may write “Dispense as written” or “Do not substitute.” That means the pharmacy can’t legally switch you to a generic without calling them back.

What to Do If Your Generic Isn’t Working

Some people report feeling different after switching to a generic. Maybe you’re more tired, your symptoms came back, or you feel off. That doesn’t always mean the generic is bad.

But it’s worth talking to your doctor. For drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, even small differences in absorption can matter. Studies show 5-8% of patients on drugs like levothyroxine may experience changes in lab results after switching generics.

Don’t assume it’s all in your head. Keep a log: when you switched, what symptoms changed, and when. Bring it to your doctor. They can check your blood levels or switch you back.

Also, be aware of drug shortages. The ASHP Drug Shortages database tracks over 280 active shortages as of late 2023. Sometimes, a generic is available - but the pharmacy is out of stock. That’s when your pharmacist might give you the brand name, even if you didn’t ask for it.

How to Save Money Without Compromising Safety

Here’s how to make sure you’re getting the best deal without risking your health:

1. Always ask your pharmacist: “Is there an FDA-approved AB-rated generic for this?”
2. Use GoodRx to compare prices, but verify the generic’s rating on Drugs@FDA.
3. Check your insurance formulary before filling the prescription.
4. If you’re on a chronic medication, ask your doctor if you’re on a brand name just because that’s what was originally prescribed.
5. Never switch generics yourself. Always consult your provider if you feel different after a switch.

One Reddit user saved $1,200 a year just by asking about generics. Another TikTok nurse showed over 2 million people how to use the FDA’s database. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to ask the right question.

What’s Changing in 2024

Things are getting better for patients. Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare Part D plans are required to show real-time generic availability through the Plan Finder tool. That means you’ll know before you even get to the pharmacy.

Electronic health record systems like Epic - used by over 250 million patients - are adding FDA therapeutic equivalence data directly into doctor’s prescription screens by late 2024. That means your doctor might see a pop-up saying, “This has an AB-rated generic available. Would you like to switch?”

More than 66 billion dollars worth of brand-name drugs will lose patent protection over the next five years. That means even more generics will hit the market.

But the biggest barrier isn’t availability. It’s awareness. Only 32% of patients correctly understand when a generic is truly equivalent to the brand-name drug, according to Harvard’s Dr. Aaron Kesselheim.

You don’t need to be a pharmacist to protect your health - or your wallet. Just ask. Check. Confirm. And don’t be afraid to speak up.