glaucoma research foundation logo in black
Filter by Categories
Eye Health
Personal Stories
Facts & Stats
Lifestyle Tips
Eye Exams
Treatments
Q&A
Research Updates
News
Filter by Categories
Eye Health
Personal Stories
Facts & Stats
Lifestyle Tips
Eye Exams
Treatments
Q&A
Research Updates
News

Brand Names and Generic Medications

Many common glaucoma medications are known by both their associated brand names and by generic names.

BACK TO BLOG HOME

A female pharmacist reviews generic medications on a pharmacy shelf
A female pharmacist reviews generic medications on a pharmacy shelf

Brand Names and Generic Medications

Many common glaucoma medications are known by both their associated brand names and by generic names.

Medications can be confusing. The most common reason for this confusion arises from the different names attached to the same medicine.

When a drug has been researched and developed by a pharmaceutical company, it is released for sale under a name that the drug company attaches to the drug, the so-called “brand name.” This brand name usually bears little resemblance to the actual chemical name for the drug, but it is typically easier to remember.

Once the patent protection for the drug has expired, other pharmaceutical companies may manufacture and sell the drug. Usually, the drug is given its chemical name and is called “Generic.” However, the branded drug is still available for sale, so now there are two names for the same drug in the pharmacies.

When a glaucoma patient fills a prescription from their doctor, especially if they have been prescribed the medication previously, it is common to not recognize the drug’s name on the bottle because a generic has been substituted for the branded drug.

See our Guide to Glaucoma Medications for a list of common glaucoma medications with their associated brand names and generic names.

Note: Some of these drugs still have patent protection and have not been released as a generic.

 

Last reviewed on May 9, 2022

image_print
back of mailing envelope. snail mail icon.

Print Subscription

We will mail Gleams anywhere in the United States and Canada, but we do not mail internationally. Please sign up for the email edition if you live outside of the US or Canada.

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You can unsubscribe at any time. GRF will not share your personal information with any other organizations. Please see our Privacy Policy for further information.

folded paper airplane. email icon.

E-mail Subscription

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You can unsubscribe at any time. GRF will not share your personal information with any other organizations. Please see our Privacy Policy for further information.