# Equate **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738 "2014-09-27T20:09:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/1 "2014-09-27T20:09:07Z")
There is a brand name that Wal-Mart sells, _Equate_, for some drug products, such as dental rinse and eye vitamins. They have the same ingredients in the same amounts as _Listerine_ and _Ocuvite_ but are much cheaper. Is there any reason to believe they would not be equal to the well-known brands? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/2 "2014-09-27T20:20:34Z")
If the ingredients are the same in name and amount, I can’t see why I shouldn’t buy by price. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/3 "2014-09-27T20:30:10Z")
Many items in the store are sold under the house brand name. Every big store has its own labels. Sometimes the generics are even manufactured in the same facilities as the name-brand higher priced stuff. Do read the label carefully, though; be sure it is exactly the same. Some OTC medications have lower potencies. Some have substitute ingredients. Others have slightly different forumulations that may not work so well for you. But they can be a money saver and often work just as well. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/4 "2014-09-27T20:39:16Z")
I’ve compared a lot of the Equate brand products to the name brand ones and find the ones I’ve checked to match perfectly. That’s what I buy now and have had no problems with any - the ones I use are the ones equivalent to Excedrin, Tylenol and Aleve. I’ve tried their Immodium equivalent as well and it works just fine and dandy. Have not tried any of the dental or eye products though. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/5 "2014-09-27T21:10:47Z")
Just wondering if there is something in the manufacturing process that may make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/6 "2014-09-27T21:17:33Z")
I always, always buy generics. If you are diabetic or have PKU or soy allergies, you should always read carefully: some generics will have phenylalanine where another brand has sugar or saccharine, and some things will have soy lecithin as an emulsifier, or gelatin as a binder, and another brand won’t. It’s these inactive ingredients that are more likely to vary than any of the actual medicine. As long as you don’t have allergies or other reasons for finding an inert ingredient objectionable, you should be fine. Some people believe that brand name works better, and this evokes a placebo response, so it actually does work better, and other people are convinced that spending more money gets them better medicine, and this can also evoke a placebo response. Keep telling yourself these things are nonsense, and that the amount of the active ingredient is the only thing that matters. The chances are that the drug will look, taste and smell just like the major brand name, and this is to evoke a placebo response as well (this has been _thoroughly_ studied). The fact is that the generic drugs sell better than the brand name (that is, more people chose them), so there’s a tiny advantage (besides price), in that you probably get a fresher drug, with more shelf-life left. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/7 "2014-09-27T23:19:35Z")
By law, generics in the USA must have exactly the same active ingredients as the brand name. Some inactive ingredients, like coatings, can vary, but in my experience, usually don’t. I used to work for a company that made herbal supplement type stuff. We made brand-name versions and store brand generics in exactly the same way. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/8 "2014-09-27T23:39:51Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > By law, generics in the USA must have exactly the same active ingredients as the brand name. Some inactive ingredients, like coatings, can vary, but in my experience, usually don’t. Is that if it says on the label “Compare to Benadryl,” or something? otherwise, how do you know what it’s the generic version of? Or does that mean, generic “Extra-strength acetaminophen” must have 500mg per pill, if “Extra-strength Tylenol” does, even if the label doesn’t say “Compare to Extra-strength Tylenol”? I’m asking, because I’m pretty sure I have bought generic combination cold medicines that weren’t an exact copy of any single brand name (that is, that particular combo of drugs wasn’t available as anything but the generic, although you could buy each one separately, or part of some other combo), albeit, it’s possible that whatever was being copied was just sold-out, so I didn’t see it. However, doses seem standard. Acetaminophen is always 325mg in a combo med, or “regular strength.” Benadryl is always 25mg (except in children’s formulas). Dextromethorphan is 10mg or 15, depending of whether it’s timed-release. (All numbers IIRC, but you get the idea.) Or are you talking about generic versions of Rx meds? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/9 "2014-09-27T23:40:19Z")
Equate is not a generic drug. It is a brand name. The reason I question the efficacy of its mouthwash is that Listerine is the only mouthwash approved by ADA to kill germs (because it contains alcohol). If Equate has the same ingredients why hasn’t the ADA approve that too? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/10 "2014-09-27T23:57:16Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > If Equate has the same ingredients why hasn’t the ADA approve that too? I wouldn’t be surprised if you had to ask the ADA to approve it and pay for the endorsement. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/11 "2014-09-28T00:03:14Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > Equate is not a generic drug. It is a brand name. The reason I question the efficacy of its mouthwash is that Listerine is the only mouthwash approved by ADA to kill germs (because it contains alcohol). If Equate has the same ingredients why hasn’t the ADA approve that too? Probably because it costs money to get it approved by the ADA – either an actual charge by the ADA, or expenses for tests to prove it meets ADA standards, or both. And such approvals are for use in advertising – generics are cheaper because they are not advertised. So what benefit would ADA approval give them? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/12 "2014-09-28T00:19:36Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > Equate is not a generic drug. It is a brand name. The reason I question the efficacy of its mouthwash is that Listerine is the only mouthwash approved by ADA to kill germs (because it contains alcohol). If Equate has the same ingredients why hasn’t the ADA approve that too? Read the label. Does it contain alcohol? if it hs the same amount of alcohol, then it should kill germs. No alcohol, but peroxide, will kill some germs, but probably not as many. If it doesn’t contain alcohol, it’s probably because you have to be over 21 to buy it (or maybe over 18, but it’s restricted), when it does, and the company wants anyone to be able to buy it. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/13 "2014-09-28T05:06:14Z")
I like the alcohol free type. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/14 "2014-09-28T10:01:49Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Read the label. Does it contain alcohol? if it hs the same amount of alcohol, then it should kill germs. No alcohol, but peroxide, will kill some germs, but probably not as many. > > If it doesn’t contain alcohol, it’s probably because you have to be over 21 to buy it (or maybe over 18, but it’s restricted), when it does, and the company wants anyone to be able to buy it. It has the same ingredients in the same amounts as Listerine: Inactive ingredients - Alcohol 21.8%. My apology. Upon checking for the company’s name (not stated, but does state “Distributed by Wal-Mart, Inc.”) I found these statements: “ADA accepted/American Dental Association. The ADA council on Scientific Affairs’ Acceptance of Equal (R)…is based on its finding that the product is effective in helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis and plaque…” ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/15 "2014-09-28T12:13:27Z")
Which brings to mind some questions re “inactive ingredients.” Because the alcohol kills germs how is it “inactive”? Is that just a way to avoid any restrictions regarding sales to minors? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/16 "2014-09-28T13:29:28Z")
Isn’t Equate some kind of horse tranquillizer, like Equinox? ---
**Author:** ![ricksummon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ricksummon/32/3333_2.png) [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/17 "2014-09-28T16:10:43Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > Which brings to mind some questions re “inactive ingredients.” Because the alcohol kills germs how is it “inactive”? Is that just a way to avoid any restrictions regarding sales to minors? Apparently, there’s not enough alcohol in Listerine and its generic equivalents to kill germs; the active ingredients are essential oils: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listerine#Composition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listerine#Composition) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/18 "2014-09-30T21:37:31Z")
Dang - I can’t find it now, but a couple of months ago I stumbled across a paper discussing purchase of generic products - and found that generic purchase was MUCH higher among people “in the know” on products. In other words, professional chefs were much more likely to buy the store brand of flour than to buy a brand name, and medical professionals were likelier to purchase generic OTC medications than brand name, as compared with “civilians” in both groups. That’s pretty suggestive to me that in most instances, generic is absolutely just as good. So to me, no reason to get brand name unless there’s some other attribute you prefer - e.g. I can’t stand store brand raisin brand, has to be Kelloggs (the taste / texture are just different somehow; store brand is much more cardboardy / flavorless than brand name). Or for a while when I was taking Prilosec, the packaging was easier to deal with than the generic. [Lifehacker’s take on the subect](http://lifehacker.com/5855621/what-products-should-i-always-buy-generic). ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/19 "2014-09-30T21:42:29Z")
Aha!!! Found it!! [Do Pharmacists Buy Bayer?](http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/jesse.shapiro/research/generics.pdf) (pdf) Of interest, part of their data seems to be from a scanner-based market research panel: “We match individual purchase data from the 2004-2011 Nielsen Homescan”; I’ve had the opportunity to enroll in that and thought it was a HUGE pain for what little compensation you get, so I wonder if that skews their research base. Still, the article has some interesting premises including noting that the Bayer aspirin is _triple_ the cost of the generic. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738/20 "2014-10-01T19:30:52Z")
Generic versus brand discussion is interesting but my post was as to the Equate ® brand vs. Listerine ®. But another question. Doesn’t Listerine have a patent on its formula, or has it expired? The same goes with Equate’s other products which are not only equal but the same as other brands. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equate/699738.md?page=2)