Advocate vs Nugard: What’s the Difference?

Advocate vs Nugard: What’s the Difference?

Over the years, it has become completely commonplace to purchase generic medicines at the chemist. They’re the same thing after all, right? Plus they’re half the price! Now, if you want to save even more, you can do the same with your pet. You can access these high-quality, generic treatments like Nugard through dedicated suppliers such as Australian Veterinary Wholesalers. However there are a number of myths surrounding generic pet medications. In this article, our vets compare Nugard to Advocate where they look at the facts around generic medications, why they are just as good as brand-name and how lower price doesn’t mean lower quality.

What is the difference between brand name and generic drugs?

The difference between brand name and generic drugs is in how they are produced. While “brand name” refers to the name given to the drug by the original company. The cost can also differ by as much as 80 percent. This is because generic drug companies do not bear the same investment costs as the brand name company.

Myths

1. They aren’t as effective as brand name.

With regards to the effectiveness of the drugs, generic drugs have the same quality active ingredient as brand name drugs.

Both Nugard and Advocate have the same efficacy and last the same amount of time.

2. They are not regulated like name brands.

All drugs, brand-name or generic, must comply with strict directives and supervision of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

3. They’re just cheap knock-offs that don’t use the same, or uses less, active ingredients as the name brand!

This is another misconception. As an example, Nugard and Advocate both contain the same active ingredients, in the same concentrations, in the exact same amounts. Both Nugard and Advocate combine imidacloprid with moxidectin. They both treat fleas, their larvae, as well as preventing heartworm, hookworm and roundworm in dogs and cats. This is true for the entire product line, whether you are using the dog formulation or the specially designed Nugard for cats. In cats they also prevent lice, earmites and lungworm. In dogs they will also combat mange, mites and lice as well as whipworm and both will do it for 30 days.

We know that many people are apprehensive about using them, but don’t let the myths scare you. There are a lot of benefits to generic medications and we hope that you can find these benefits for your pet and the hip-pocket too! By purchasing from veterinary wholesalers Australia, you ensure you receive legally compliant and effective generic alternatives. Take comfort in knowing that you are giving your pet the best care possible.

Crucially, the regulation goes beyond simply listing the same ingredients.

Generic companies must prove to the APVMA that their product is “bioequivalent” to the brand name. This means that after administration, the active ingredients must reach the same peak concentration in your pet’s bloodstream and stay active for the same duration as the original product.

For products like Nugard and Nugard for cats, the active ingredients (imidacloprid and moxidectin) must meet this mandatory scientific hurdle. This ensures the therapeutic effect—the killing of parasites—is guaranteed to be identical across both the brand and generic versions.

So, if the efficacy is the same, why the vast price difference?

The cost discrepancy is primarily due to patent law and research investment. The original brand company spends millions on initial research, development, and clinical trials to bring the drug to market.

Once the patent expires, the generic manufacturer can produce the exact same compound without incurring those enormous initial costs. This savings model allows Australian Veterinary Wholesalers to significantly lower the retail price for pet owners, giving you the same quality for less.