Own brand 'v' known brand

hannahbroke

I was just shopping for my sacred allergy tablets online and I noticed that my usual Piriton allergy tablets are on sale at 2 for 1 in Superdrug, so I was really happy, but then I also noticed that Superdrug's own brand allergy tablets are also on sale for 2 for 1. Regardless of the sale, it works out much cheaper to buy the own brand but I'm a health snob!

I know it's no secret that own brands are usually cheaper than regular brand but I've always stuck to regular brands when it comes to health and beauty stuff. I'm scrimping on my groceries but spending a fortune on medicine and cosmetics!

Anyway, thoughts please? Both say Cetirizine hydrochloride on the packet so I know it's the same ingredient but is it possible that there is a difference in the quality? Which one to buy?

Now I've started comparing prices I'm getting obsessed as am shocked to see that it's just like groceries with the own brands generally working out much much cheaper.

Willowpop

Buy the own brand. If the active ingredient is the same then it's the same thing. Your hayfever doesn't care what picture is on the packaging.:)

I used to use the own brand stuff all the time and it worked fine. I now have an annual prepaid prescription charge thingy because I take a fair few medications and so I now get my doc to prescribe hayfever meds and get them 'free'....and when the doc prescribes them they are not the branded tablets that come from the chemist.

Edwardia

If the % used and the active ingredients are the same, I'd suggest trying the own brand.

bitterpill

the tablets may be a different shape or colour, but the active ingredient will be the same so will do exactly the same in your body.
FYI look out for galpharm products as they can be much cheaper but exactly the same ingredient. ( I always buy galpharm paracetamol in Boots, 16p for 16 tabs)

blueyellowred

I buy them for my OH from Asda Pharmacy - 30 once a day tablet cost very little, Cetirizine Hydrochoride( it's what Zirtek has), made by Galpharm and been buying them for last three years. Works as good as branded ones - initially he was dubious, but after a month he said never to buy branded ones again.
They do have packet of 7 that cost the same, so make sure you will ask for larger packet. They available in drowsy and non-drowsy as well.
Other pharmacies might have their version but I started buying there after reading on MSE or HOTUKDeals 3 years ago and would never buy branded ones again.

antrobus

hannahbroke wrote: »

... Both say Cetirizine hydrochloride on the packet so I know it's the same ingredient ...

That'll be the bit that works

hannahbroke wrote: »

...but is it possible that there is a difference in the quality?

Unlikely. All medicines sold in the UK are subject to fairly stringent licensing regulations etc.

hannahbroke wrote: »

...Which one to buy?

The cheapest

Edwardia

When a drug is developed it has a patent that lasts for a set number of years. The drug companies market and market and the higher price you pay helps pay for all the advertising. Once the patent has lapsed and other pharmaceutical companies can make the drug, the original drug company relies on the brand name and marketing to keep customers paying more for the drug they can now buy cheaper.

Imodium is loperamide, Glucophage is metformin, Nurofen is ibuprofen. Imodium, Glucophage and Nurofen are all brands. Loperamide, metformin and ibuprofen are the actual drug names.

stuartroberts

Isn't calpol a classic example as the own brand is 2 thirds cheaper yet is the same medicing with different flavour. a medicine is a medicine no matter what the brand.

just in some cases its a matter of taste

Ken68

B.P is what I look for. Don't know what it means, perhaps British Patent or Basic Pharmacy, but it is the generic product.

quintwins

For tablets i always buy own brand, for cough bottle i always buy crovonia.

Op i have pm'd you a link to a cheap website.

alwaysonthego_2

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