According to the sources provided, generic Advil is as effective as the brand name. Advil is a brand name for ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and reduce fever. The patent for Advil expired in 2001, and since then, other companies have been able to produce and sell generic versions of the drug [1].

The Atlantic article explains that the FDA requires generic drugs to have the same active ingredient, strength, and dosage form as the brand name drug. The only difference between the two is that the generic drug may have different inactive ingredients, such as fillers or binders, which do not affect the drug's effectiveness [2].

A study cited in The Guardian found that there was no significant difference in pain relief between a brand name ibuprofen (Nurofen) and a generic version. The study also noted that there was no difference in the side effects experienced by participants who took either the brand name or generic version of the drug [3].

In conclusion, based on the sources provided, generic Advil is as effective as the brand name. The FDA requires generic drugs to have the same active ingredient, strength, and dosage form as the brand name drug, and a study found no significant difference in pain relief or side effects between a brand name ibuprofen and a generic version.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ADVIL
[2] https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/03/generic-drugs-the-same-but-not/388592/
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/oct/03/do-branded-painkillers-work-better-than-cheaper-generic-ones-iboprofen-nurofen