1. Over-the-Counter Medications (Equate)

When it comes to your health, you want to be certain you’re making the right choice. This is often why we reach for the familiar, trusted names in pain relievers, allergy pills, and cold remedies. But the pharmacy aisle is one of the places you can save the most by choosing Walmart’s generic brand, Equate. It’s a move that is not only safe but incredibly smart for your budget.

Here’s the most important thing to know: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict rules for all over-the-counter (OTC) medications sold in the United States. For a generic medication to be sold, it must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the original name-brand drug. You can always check the latest safety information and regulations on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration website.

This means the Equate Ibuprofen has the exact same pain-fighting medicine as Advil. The Equate Acetaminophen has the same active ingredient as Tylenol. The Equate Cetirizine Hydrochloride is the same allergy medicine you find in Zyrtec. The only real difference is the name on the box and, most importantly, the price. The savings can be dramatic, often 50% or more, especially if you need to take a medication regularly.

Your Money-Saving Move: Ignore the fancy packaging on the front of the box. Turn it over and look for the “Drug Facts” label. Find the section called “Active Ingredient.” Compare the active ingredient and its strength (usually measured in milligrams or “mg”) between the Equate product and the name-brand one. If they match, you can feel confident making the switch and enjoying the savings. For a bottle of 500 tablets of a common pain reliever, you could save $8 to $10 with this simple check.