August 3rd, 2011 by admin

Summary: Valium, chemical name Diazepam, is one of the most prescribed and commonly used medications in the world today, has been around for more than 40 years and its generic version is also available. But the question on most people’s minds is whether there is any difference between the generic and the branded version.

Is There a Difference Between Generic and Brand Valium?

Valium is one the most important and commonly prescribed drugs in the world today. It is the trade name for Diazepam – a benzodiazepine drug manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche. Valium has been around for more than 40 years and is known by the brand name more than the generic name. Even the generic version which is sold under the name Diazepam is referred to as Valium by people. Valium is used to treat Ménière’s disease, alcohol withdrawal, restless legs syndrome, muscle spasms (like in tetanus for example), seizures, insomnia and anxiety. It is also used as a tension and anxiety reducer for several medical procedures.

Valium has been around for more than 40 years and the patent has long since expired and generic versions are available. And the question on most people’s minds is – is there any difference between the generic version and the brand version. And the answer is – yes and no. The truth is that there is absolutely no difference when it comes to effect of the medicine. The generic drug is just as efficient as the branded medicine. Most people seem to have the misconception that branded is better. After all, branded clothes, shoes and watches work better, look better and last longer than unbranded stuff, right? Well, the drug industry doesn’t work that way!

Generic diazepam is in no way lesser than branded diazepam in terms of strength, safety and efficacy. It has to be identical. Otherwise the FDA won’t approve it. Branded drugs in the U.S. are granted a patent of 20 years after which generic versions are sold.

The only place where generic drugs differ is in the price and medium or binders. You see, as per FDA guidelines, ‘identical’ is not to be taken literally, it is a legal term. Identical here means the generic version should have the same number of active ingredients, the passive ingredients can differ. The active ingredients are carried on a medium or binder and the binder can differ. The binder is merely a ‘vehicle’ to carry the drug into your system and it doesn’t make a difference what binder is used as long as it does the job. There are rumors and myths about generic drugs that they are not as effective, these are not true.

And, of course, the prices differ. Why do you want to pay extra for nothing. Save a buck, buy generic, it’s the same thing.