MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Generic drugs are used for more than half of the medications Americans take every year, but a new study finds many people are not taking them as prescribed.

Many generic pills can vary in color and shape from brand names — and that can get confusing, especially for people taking multiple pills.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that when pills look different, patients are 50 percent more likely to stop taking them.

“So if you’re used to taking these guys, and if we give you [a generic drugs], you’re going to be obviously confused,” said Dr. Ayk Dzhragatspanyan of Dr. Ike’s Pharmacy in California.

Doctors say it’s important that patients understand that just because your drugs look different, they’re still basically the same.

To make things less confusing, the study recommends the government require that companies make brand name drugs and generic versions that look more alike.