Generic medications are non-branded versions of drugs that were originally sold under a brand name. A generic drug has the same ingredients, composition and effect as the brand drug. It is used the same way, affects the body the same way, and has the exact same side effects (or lack thereof) as the brand drug. The only differences between generic and brand name medications have to do with marketing decisions: the pills might be have a different shape and color, the package will probably look different, etc. However, the drug inside is identical.