Own Brand versus 'Branded' Cold & Flu Tablets

clever_username

Do you think there is any real difference between the supermarket (Asda and Tesco) Max Strength Cold and Flu capsules and the 'branded' ones like Beechams Flu Plus and Lemsip Max Strength?

Is is the same stuff for half the price?

welshdent

Usually no difference. Compare the ingredients and doses side by side.

nearlyrich

what welsh said some brands do a good job of marketing!

money_honey

I agree, I usually use Tesco's own brand cold and flu product unless the branded ones are on offer, and they work just as well as the branded ones.

bengalknights

Ive always got whatevers cheapest and they always worked so i doubt you would notice any difference between branded and unbranded.

hoogervaaner

welshdent wrote: »

Usually no difference. Compare the ingredients and doses side by side.

This rings true for many products, if in doubt ask a friendly pharmacist for clarification. I now save a fortune on cold sore cream, ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol as well as cold meds

jamespir

i dont think theres any difference

clever_username

Thanks everyone. I can't say I've noticed any difference myself, just feel like a bit of a cheapskate sometimes going for the own-brand rather than the Beechams or Lemsip.

ellay864

Buy the cheapos..it's the same active ingredients. The only thing you may need to check is the other inactive ingredients as these can sometimes vary (some poeple may be allergic to certain excipients). But generally save your money. I work in the drugs business and never buy Nurofen when I can get Tesco inuprofen for a fraction of the price

A_Name

I read that clinical studies showed that branded pain pills actually worked better because of a placebo effect - we believe that they will work better because they're more expensive and in flashier packaging, and because pain is subjective they actually do.

Here's the article for those interested: http://www.badscience.net/2005/08/a-tonic-for-sceptics/

Of course, knowing that the active ingredients are the same and it's all just a gimmick means we can buy the cheapos confidently and feel even better because we've saved money too!

P.S Be careful of 'max strength' cold and flu remedies! If you don't have a blocked nose and need the decongestant, plain paracetamol (with optional cup of coffee for the caffiene boost) is miles cheaper!

bungle4by4

badscience . net for ben goldacre