Orange Book Database: What It Is and How It Helps You Find Generic Drugs

When you pick up a generic pill at the pharmacy, you might wonder if it really works like the brand-name version. That’s where the Orange Book database, the FDA’s official list of approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. Also known as Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, it’s the go-to source for checking if a generic drug is legally and medically interchangeable with its brand-name counterpart. This isn’t just paperwork—it’s your secret tool for saving money without sacrificing effectiveness.

The Orange Book database, the FDA’s official list of approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. Also known as Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, it’s the go-to source for checking if a generic drug is legally and medically interchangeable with its brand-name counterpart. is updated daily and includes every drug approved since 1980. It tells you which generics are rated AB—meaning they’re proven to work the same way in your body as the original. That’s based on strict bioequivalence studies, like the ones covered in our post on how the FDA tests generic drugs. If a drug is rated BX, it’s not interchangeable, and the database explains why. You’ll also find patent info and exclusivity dates, which help explain why some generics aren’t available yet—even if the brand-name drug seems old enough.

What does this mean for you? If your doctor prescribes a brand drug and you want to switch to a cheaper version, the Orange Book tells you which generics are safe to swap. It’s why your insurance pushes certain generics—they’re listed here as equivalent. It also helps you spot when a new generic hits the market, so you’re not overpaying. If you’re comparing medications like lisinopril or sildenafil, or wondering why some versions of Zofran cost less, this database is the reason. And if you’ve ever been confused by different pill shapes or colors for the same drug, the Orange Book clears that up too.

It’s not just for pharmacists. Patients, caregivers, and even doctors use it to make smarter choices. You don’t need a medical degree to search it—just your drug name and a little curiosity. The posts below dive into how this system affects your prescriptions, why some generics work better than others, and how to use this info to save money without risking your health. Whether you’re managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or just trying to cut pharmacy costs, the Orange Book is the hidden backbone behind your medication choices.