Do brand name drugs work better or faster than generic drugs? Is there enough difference between the two types of drugs to justify the extra cost? The truth is, no, generic drugs work just as effectively as name brand drugs. Tylenol works just as good as the cheap store brand acetaminophen in clinical tests by the FDA.

From FDA.gov

What are generic drugs?
A generic drug is a copy that is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance and intended use.

Are generic drugs as strong as brand-name drugs?
Yes. FDA requires generic drugs to have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs.

Do generic drugs take longer to work in the body?
No. Generic drugs work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand-name drugs.

Why are generic drugs less expensive?
Generic drugs are less expensive because generic manufacturers don’t have the investment costs of the developer of a new drug.

But what about a placebo effect? Do placebos really work? Placebos rely on the power of the mind to achieve the desired result. Some placebos are sugar pills and they still work. With that in mind, it would be possible for someone to react differently to the same drug if one drug is marketed differently. For those who hold a high value on brands, marketing, and hype, paying more will actually help them more.

For the rest of us, we’ll pay 20-50% less knowing we’re getting the same thing for less. And that is always a good feeling :).