Same Salt, Different Brand: How To Read The Composition on a Medicine Strip

Have you ever been offered a different medicine brand because your regular one was unavailable? Two medicines may contain the same active ingredient, commonly called the salt, but that does not always mean you can switch between them without checking. The composition printed on a medicine strip helps you identify the active ingredients, their strengths and important formulation details.

Quick answer: To compare two medicine brands, check the active ingredient or salt, strength, dosage form and release type, such as SR or XL [1]. These details help identify whether two medicines may be comparable, but matching labels alone do not guarantee that they are interchangeable. Always ask your pharmacist or doctor to check a proposed substitute before switching.

Below, we explain how to read a medicine strip, what common abbreviations mean and when switching brands needs extra care.

Salt Name, Strength and Form on a Medicine Label

In India, “salt” is the word commonly used for a medicine’s active ingredient, the substance that treats the condition. Its generic name stays the same whoever makes it. The brand name, printed larger on the front, is the company’s own name for the product.

Compare the full ingredient name on both packs, not just a familiar word in it. For example, metoprolol succinate and metoprolol tartrate share the name metoprolol, but they are different forms of the medicine and are not taken the same way.

The composition line gives the details that decide whether two packs match. Here is how to read a typical one: “Each film-coated tablet contains: Metformin Hydrochloride IP 500 mg”.

Why IP, BP or USP Is Not a Brand

IP, BP and USP stand for the Indian, British and United States Pharmacopoeia. These are official books of quality standards, not brands or makers. The Indian Pharmacopoeia sets the tests for a medicine’s identity, purity and strength [2]. Packs marked IP and BP can contain the same salt. The letters tell you which standard the medicine meets, not who made it or whether two packs match. Read the composition line on both packs, because the brand names on the front will differ.

Four Checks Before You Switch to a Different Brand

If any line differs, do not take the new pack. Take both strips to your pharmacist or doctor the same day, so a daily medicine is not missed.

Strength needs extra care with syrups. Paracetamol syrups can differ in strength per 5 ml [3]. Paracetamol drops are usually much stronger than syrup and are measured per 1 ml, so never use a syrup dose for drops. Your child’s dose in ml depends on which syrup you have, their age and sometimes their weight [3]. Ask the pharmacist to work out the new dose in ml before you give it.

Why Colour, Shape or Packaging Is Not Enough

Brands of the same medicine often look different. One maker’s tablet may be white and round, another’s yellow and oval, and pack designs vary. A different look does not by itself mean the medicine is different, and a similar look does not mean it is the same. Only the composition line tells you what is inside, so compare that instead of the tablet or the pack.

What SR, XL and MR Mean on a Medicine Strip

A modified-release medicine may have MR, SR, XL or LA in its name. Such tablets let the medicine out slowly, or only under set conditions. A plain tablet of the same salt and strength is not a straight swap. The number of doses a day will likely need to change, so let your doctor or pharmacist make that switch.

Do not crush a modified-release tablet unless your pharmacist says you can. Crushing can release the whole dose at once, raising blood levels and the risk of harmful effects. It can also release the medicine in the wrong part of the gut, where it may not work [1].

Combination Tablets with Two or More Salts

Some tablets combine two or more salts. Match each one against your prescription. Two packs for different complaints can carry the same salt, so read the composition line on every medicine you take together. Taking the same salt twice can mean a double dose.

Our guide to common medication mistakes covers more errors like this.

Why Inactive Ingredients Can Differ Between Brands

Besides the salt, medicines contain excipients, ingredients that help with taste, texture and manufacture. Two makers, or two strengths from the same maker, may use different ones [4]. Most excipients have no effect on how the medicine works [4], so different excipients do not usually make one brand clinically different from another. They matter when you need to avoid a particular ingredient.

Some people avoid certain excipients for reasons of diet, culture or religion. Gelatine, for example, is made from animal collagen [4]. If you avoid animal products, are lactose intolerant or have an allergy, ask the pharmacist to check the new brand’s ingredients first [4].

Same Active Ingredient Does Not Always Mean a Confirmed Swap

Matching salt, strength, form and release letters show that two packs contain the same medicine at the same strength. Whether you can switch is still a decision for your pharmacist or doctor. For most medicines this is straightforward. For a few, small differences between makers can matter, so doctors may prefer patients to stay on one product. This applies to some epilepsy medicines and, for some people, thyroxine [5], [6].

Switching Brands of Epilepsy Medicines and Thyroxine

Even when all four checks match, call your doctor before switching some epilepsy medicines [5]. With thyroxine, tell your doctor if you feel different after a switch [6].

Changing the Brand of an Epilepsy Medicine

UK safety guidance sorts epilepsy medicines by how much care a change of maker needs [5].

With the first four, products from different makers may differ enough to affect treatment. That can happen even when the tablets are the same type and tests show the medicine reaches the blood in the same way [5]. If the chemist offers a new brand of any of these medicines, call your doctor before you take it. Make that call the same day, so a daily dose is not missed.

Changing the Brand of Thyroxine (Levothyroxine)

UK safety guidance says generic thyroxine (levothyroxine) suits most people. A small number report symptoms after a change, often like those of a thyroid running too slow or too fast. Doctors may then test thyroid function and keep the person on one product if symptoms continue [6].

If you feel different after a new thyroxine brand, ask your doctor about a blood test. Do not change the dose yourself.

Report any new side effect after a brand change to your doctor. You can also call the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), the government’s scheme for medicine side effects. Its toll-free helpline is 1800-180-3024 [7].

Medicine QR Code on the Label and What It Shows

Scan the QR code or barcode and compare what it shows with the printed pack. The code must hold [8]:

• a unique product identification code
• the generic and brand names
• the maker’s name and address
• the batch number
• the manufacture and expiry dates
• the manufacturing licence number

Which Medicines Must Carry a QR Code

Since 1 August 2023, batches of 300 government-listed brands must carry the code, and other makers can choose whether to add one [8]. In June 2026, the government extended the requirement to more groups of medicines, with phased start dates [9]:

• Vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, and narcotic and psychotropic medicines: from 1 July 2027
• Antimicrobials, such as antibiotics: from 1 July 2028

For these groups, the code will also include details of excipients where applicable [9]. Until these dates, many genuine packs outside the original 300 brands may not carry a code.

If the scanned details do not match the pack, do not take it, and show it to the pharmacist. Batch numbers and expiry dates are explained in how to check medicine expiry dates.

Why Do Brands of the Same Salt Differ In Price?

In India, medicine prices are regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The table below summarises the main rules, although NPPA also has other price-fixing powers [10].

Medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras come only from makers that follow the World Health Organization’s good manufacturing practice, a set of quality rules for factories. Every batch is tested in an accredited laboratory and sent out only after it passes. Over 18,000 kendras are open, and the Jan Aushadhi Sugam app finds the nearest one and compares prices [11].

Generic Name on a Prescription in India

India’s code of ethics for doctors, amended in 2016, says they should prescribe by generic name, legibly and preferably in capital letters [12]. If your prescription carries only a brand name, ask your doctor to add the generic name and strength.

Which medicines need a prescription is explained in our guide to OTC vs prescription medicines.

What to Do If Your Regular Brand Is Unavailable

If the chemist offers a different brand, these steps help you check it:

1. Show the pharmacist your old strip or your prescription.
2. Compare the salt, strength, form and release letters on both packs.
3. If any detail differs, or the medicine is for epilepsy or your thyroid, call your doctor the same day.
4. Ask whether a nearby Jan Aushadhi Kendra stocks the generic version.
5. If you take the medicine every day, tell the pharmacist or doctor when your next dose is due, so they can help you avoid a gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the same medicine but different brands?

Match the salt, strength, form and release letters such as SR or XL, including every salt in a combination tablet. If all four match, the new pack holds the same medicine at the same strength, though its other ingredients can differ. If anything does not match, show both packs to your pharmacist the same day. For some epilepsy medicines and thyroxine, check with your doctor before switching, even if everything matches.

Can different brands of the same medication work differently?

For a few medicines, yes. Some epilepsy medicines from different makers may differ enough to affect treatment, so UK safety guidance asks doctors to keep patients on one maker. A small number of people report symptoms after changing thyroxine products. If you feel different after a switch, tell your doctor.

Why do medicines with the same composition have different prices?

Within these rules, each maker sets its own price, so brands differ. The NPPA fixes ceiling prices for medicines on the price-control list and retail prices for certain new drugs, and can regulate other prices in exceptional circumstances. For most other medicines, a maker generally cannot raise the MRP by more than 10% in 12 months. Jan Aushadhi Kendras sell generics at prices generally 50% to 80% below similar brands.

How do I know if a medicine is original or duplicate?

Scan the QR code or barcode if the pack has one. Check the details match the printed pack, though a fake pack can copy a real code. Since August 2023, 300 government-listed brands must carry a code. The rule extends to vaccines, anti-cancer medicines, and narcotic and psychotropic medicines from July 2027, and to antimicrobials from July 2028. Until then, many genuine packs have no code. If the details do not match, show the pack to your pharmacist.

Is it okay to take different brands of antibiotics?

Check that the salt, strength, form and release letters match your prescription. Take it as directed on the packet or the leaflet, and only take antibiotics prescribed for you. If the new pack differs, show both packs to your pharmacist the same day.

Conclusion

Write the brand name next to the generic name on your medicine list, and update it each time the brand changes. Keep the old strip until the salt, strength, form and release letters are checked. Anyone who helps with your medicines, at home or in hospital, can then see at a glance what you take and from which maker.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or a substitute for consulting a professional. Advice can vary by brand and formulation. Always follow the instructions that came with your medicine and ask your doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about your situation.

References

[1] NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. (2025, February 6). Checking if tablets can be crushed or capsules opened. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/checking-if-tablets-can-be-crushed-or-capsules-opened/

[2] Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2023). About IP. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://ipc.gov.in/mandates/indian-pharmacopoeia/about-ip.html

[3] NHS. (2025). Paracetamol for children. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/

[4] NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. (2025, September 2). Understanding excipients in medicines. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-excipients-in-medicines/

[5] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2017, November 24). Antiepileptic drugs: Updated advice on switching between different manufacturers’ products. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/antiepileptic-drugs-updated-advice-on-switching-between-different-manufacturers-products

[6] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2021, May 19). Levothyroxine: New prescribing advice for patients who experience symptoms on switching between different levothyroxine products. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/levothyroxine-new-prescribing-advice-for-patients-who-experience-symptoms-on-switching-between-different-levothyroxine-products

[7] Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2025, September 4). IPC expands helpline number 1800-180-3024: Multilingual IVR system. https://ipc.gov.in/news-highlights/1399-ipc-expands-helpline-number-1800-180-3024-multilingual-ivr-system.html

[8] Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. (2023, July 21). FAQs on implementation of GSR 823(E) dated 17th November, 2022 with respect to bar code or QR code on top 300 brands. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadPublic_NoticesFiles/Final%20FAQs%20on%20QR%20code%2021.07.2023.pdf

[9] Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2026, June 25). Union Health Ministry expands QR code-based drug traceability framework to vaccines, antimicrobials and anti-cancer medicines [Press release]. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/archiveContent.aspx?lang=2&reg=48&relid=290478

[10] Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. (2025, December 9). Measures to prevent overpricing and unethical practices [Press release]. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2200935

[11] Press Information Bureau. (2026, March 7). Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Advancing affordable and equitable healthcare [Backgrounder]. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2236292

[12] Medical Council of India. (2016). Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 (amended up to 8 October 2016). National Medical Commission. https://nmc.org.in/storage/cms/Ethics-Regulations-2002.pdf