When you buy a generic pill online, how do you know it’s the same as the brand name? That’s where the Orange Book, the FDA’s official list of approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. Also known as Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, it’s the go-to reference for pharmacists, doctors, and anyone checking if a generic drug is truly interchangeable with its brand-name version. Even though it’s a U.S. government publication, Canadians using online pharmacies—especially those sourcing from U.S.-based suppliers—rely on it daily to verify drug quality and safety.
The Orange Book, the FDA’s official list of approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. Also known as Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, it’s the go-to reference for pharmacists, doctors, and anyone checking if a generic drug is truly interchangeable with its brand-name version. doesn’t just list drugs—it tells you which ones are bioequivalent. That means the active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and how your body absorbs it are the same. For example, if you’re buying generic metformin or Plavix online, the Orange Book confirms whether that pill will work just like the brand. It’s not a marketing tool. It’s a science-backed database that cuts through the noise.
Here’s what you’ll find in the posts below: real comparisons between brand and generic versions of common meds like lisinopril, doxycycline, and atenolol. You’ll see how the Orange Book helps decide which generic is safe to switch to, and which ones might not be equal—even if they look identical. You’ll also learn how drug manufacturers use this list to get approval, and why some generics cost less but still deliver the same results. If you’ve ever wondered why your pharmacy switched your pill without asking, or why some online sellers claim their drugs are "FDA-approved"—this is the document that makes that claim real.
Most people think the Orange Book is just a U.S. thing. But if you’re ordering meds online from Canadian pharmacies that source from American suppliers, you’re indirectly using it. The same standards apply. This collection pulls from real medication guides—like those on furosemide, cefuroxime, and olanzapine—to show you how the Orange Book shapes your choices, your safety, and your wallet. No fluff. No jargon. Just the facts you need to know before you click "buy."
The Orange Book is the FDA's official guide to therapeutic equivalence, helping pharmacists safely substitute generic drugs for brand-name ones. Learn how TE codes work, why they matter, and how they save billions in healthcare costs.
