Can Less Be More?

Siobhan Dougherty9th Grade

Problem

The problem in this experiment is to see

whether generic or brand name pain

relievers will dissolve faster. Is it worth

paying more money to get brand name

pain relievers?

ResearchHydrochloric acid

Gastric juiceAcidity levelRepresentation of stomach acid

Generic/Brand nameManufacturing costWhy there is a cost differenceFDA testingSame dosage, effects, uses, risks, etcDifferences

Packaging and color/taste

Hypothesis

If different types of pain relievers, both

brand and generic, are separately placed

into stomach acid, then the brand name

pain relievers will dissolve faster.

Materials 6 Tablets of regular strength generic Acetaminophen- 325 mg each 6 Tablets of regular strength brand name Acetaminophen (Tylenol)-

325 mg each 6 Tablets of regular strength generic Aspirin-325 mg each 6 Tablets of regular strength brand name Aspirin (Bayer)-325 mg each 6 Tablets of regular strength generic Ibuprofen-200 mg each 6 Tablets of regular strength brand name Ibuprofen (Advil)-200 mg

each 30 mL of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) for each trial (540 mL

altogether) 20 mL of gastric juice for each trial (360 mL altogether) 3 200 mL beakers 50 mL of distilled water for each trial (900 mL altogether) One pair of goggles One pair of latex gloves Pen and paper Stopwatch Paper towels Clean water (to wash beakers in between trials)

Procedure1. Goggles were put on2. Latex gloves were put on3. 30 mL of hydrochloric acid and 20 mL of gastric

juice was poured into 3 separate 200 mL beakers4. Three tablets of generic Acetaminophen were

gathered5. One tablet of Acetaminophen was dropped into the

beaker6. The stopwatch was started when the tablet reached

the mix of hydrochloric acid and gastric juice7. The dissolution time of the tablet was observed8. The stopwatch was stopped when the tablet was fully

dissolved9. Results were recorded10. Steps 3-9 were repeated for two more tablets of

Acetaminophen

Procedure (continued)11. The three beakers were then emptied and cleaned

out with water12. The beakers were dried thoroughly with paper

towels13. Steps 3-11 were repeated for brand name

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), generic Aspirin, brand name Aspirin (Bayer), generic Ibuprofen, and brand name Ibuprofen (Advil)

14. Results were recorded again15. 50 mL of distilled water was gathered into one

beaker16. Each tablet, both brand name and generic, was

tested once in water, repeating the process above (used as a control)

17. Results were recorded

My independent variables are the types of pain relievers and the

brand name versus the generic form of the drug.

My dependent variable is how quickly each tablet will dissolve

My constants are the amount of hydrochloric acid/gastric juice

and the amount of distilled water (in mL), the location where the

experiment was performed, the acidity level of the hydrochloric

acid/gastric juice, all pain relievers were regular strength, and

the procedure was constant throughout all trials.

My control was using distilled water instead of hydrochloric

acid/gastric juice

Controls/Variables

Rationale for ExperimentThe reason I chose this experiment was

because I wondered why there was a cost

difference between generic and brand name

pain relievers, and why brand name ones cost

more. I wanted to know if it was worth paying

more; if you really get more for your money.

Data/ResultsTrial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

AVERAGE

ST DEV

CL

Acetaminophen 4.12 4.23 3.73 4.03 0.21453 0.2428

Tylenol 2.83 2.55 2.65 2.67 0.1159 0.1312

Aspirin 1.62 1.47 1.48 1.52 0.0685 0.0775

Bayer 1.32 0.97 1.18 1.16 0.14385 0.1628

Ibuprofen 56.9 52.47 53.2 54.19 1.9393 2.1945

Advil 11.6 10.88 10.8 11.09 0.35976 0.4071

Results in Hydrochloric Acid (in minutes)

Results in Water (in minutes)

Trial 1 AVERAGE

Acetaminophen 5.85 5.85

Tylenol 4.15 4.15

Aspirin 1.2 1.2

Bayer 0.87 0.87

Ibuprofen 51.45 51.45

Advil 12.35 12.35

ConclusionIt was hypothesized that brand name pain

relievers would dissolve faster than their

generic match. This hypothesis was

supported in the experiment. This

experiment could be improved by doing

more trials to assure efficiency.

Acknowledgments National Library of Medicine. (2009, June 1). Pain Relievers. Retrieved

November 7, 2009, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/painrelievers.html

Ezine Articles. (2009). Brand Vs Generic Medicine - Which is Better? Retrieved November 8, 2009, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Brand-Vs-Generic-Medicine---Which-is-Better?&id=1340258

Utah Mountain Biking Company. (n.d.). Pain Relievers. Retrieved November 8, 2009, from http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/firstaid/painmeds.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Hydrochloric Acid. Retrieved  November 8, 2009, from http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hydrochl.html   

Jones, L. (n.d.). Solubility. Retrieved November 8, 2009, from  http://www.sciencebyjones.com/solubility.htm

Thank you for listening to my project. Are there any questions??