Evaluation of the Therapeutic Equivalency between Brand Name and Generic Formulations of the Heparinoid Moisturizers

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of brand name and generic moisturizers, we examined their effects on dried skin models of five healthy subjects. The heparinoid lotion and cream of the brand name and generic were applied twice daily for 10days, and the water content of the stratum corneum was compared. As a result, the brand name lotion and cream increased the water content significantly more than the generic. If generic substitutions are to be used for brand name formulations, physicians must be aware that significant differences in therapeutic effectiveness may be expected.