Difference Between Generic & Name Brand Multivitamins

People sometimes have difficulty getting necessary vitamins from food because of conflicts with medications, metabolic disorders and food allergies and sensitivities. In these cases, a multivitamin provides much-needed nutrients for optimal health. Deciding which multivitamin to take can be difficult, since companies offer wide ranges of selections and prices. Since generics typically cost less, consumers may wonder about the quality of generic multivitamins as opposed to name brands.

Regulations

• Prescription generic drugs in the U.S. contain the same ingredients as name brand products. Vitamin producers do not have to follow these stringent guidelines. However, according to the Food and Drug Administration, regulations regarding manufacture of vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements require producers to follow "current Good Manufacturing Practice," meaning they test their products to meet their claims regarding elements such as strength and purity. If a vitamin claims to offer 200 percent of the RDA in vitamin C, for instance, companies must back up that claim with research.

Costs

• Generic vitamins attract consumers through lower prices. For instance; the name brand One-a-Day multivitamin for women costs 75 percent more than the generic Equate equivalent at Walmart ($14 and $8, as of the time of publication). Larger companies are more likely to advertise; that, coupled with consumer concerns about quality differences, may allow businesses to charge more for name brand vitamins. Consumer Reports indicates Americans pay almost $5 billion annually on such supplements, so vitamin manufacture and sales represents big business.

Labels

• Consumers should read multivitamin labels carefully when considering generics to see that the product truly offers equivalent amounts of each vitamin. RDA amounts may differ since the term "multivitamin" is not attached to specific FDA regulations regarding content. A cheaper product, for instance, may include only 50 percent of the RDA in vitamin B12, or lack iron that a higher-priced vitamin has, so consumers don't get the same amount of vitamins for the money.

Dangers

• Safety issues associated with generic multivitamins do not differ substantially from those of any OTC products. Some may have a base the includes products that can cause allergic reactions, such as wheat, eggs, corn or gelatins. People with such sensitivities should check labels for such additives. Consumers should discuss taking a multivitamin with a health professional before purchasing, and follow directions on the label carefully since taking in too much of some vitamins can cause health problems.