|
|
|
|
1. Talk to your Doctor!! The best way to reduce your cost of perscriptions is to talk with your doctor about your medications. Your doctor probably doesn't know how much you spend on medications. Results from the Archives of Internal Medicine Survey found that "doctors forgot to ask about the patient's prescription drug insurance more than half the time when actually writing the prescription."
|
| 2. How long have I been taking this medication?
Does my doctor know I am still taking this medication?
If you've been taking a medication (refilling over and over again) for many months, check back with your doctor. You may find out that you could've stopped taking it long ago.
|
|
3. Keep checking for alternatives. In most instances, generic drugs work as well as the brand name drugs. Unless your healthcare provider advises against the use of the generic product, it will be less expensive to use the generic product.
All too often, individuals purchase the more expensive brand name drug because they believe that the generic equivalent is inferior.
In most states, as long as the prescriber does not indicate otherwise, pharmacists are required by law to substitute generic products for brand name products.
Checking each time you refil a prescription will also allow you to save as soon as generic version of a drug is available.
|
| 4. Can you take an over-the-counter (OTC, non-prescription) medicine? Sometimes a lower cost over-the-counter medicine will work just as well as prescription medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if an over-the-counter medication will meet your needs.
Several drugs that used to be available only by prescription can now be purchased over-the-counter. Examples include Claritin® (the allergy medication) and Prilosec® (a drug used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease).
The over-the-counter versions of these drugs often cost much less than the prescription versions. Make sure both your pharmacist and doctor know that you are taking over-the-counter medications.
|
| 5. Just starting a prescription drug? Ask if you can have a free sample or trial prescription, so you can buy fewer tablets. When starting a new medication, you may want to order a small quantity the first time you have the prescription filled. To save money in the long run, be sure that any new medicines work for you before buying larger quantities. Try a week's worth. That way, if the medication doesn't help you or you have a reaction, you will have spent only a fraction of the money.
|
| 6. Ask about a less expensive brand of medication. Sometimes an older brand of drug may be just as effective as a newer version but cost much less.
|
| 7. Stop Taking Medications That Aren't Helping Your Ailment. If a medication you are taking doesn't seem to be working as intended, discuss it with your doctor.
He or she may want to switch your medication or find an alternative solution.
The ineffectiveness of the medication may also indicate a misdiagnosis, so it is important to tell your doctor about any medications that are not improving your condition.
|
|
8. Stop Over-Medicating Yourself--
Is the active ingredient in this medication also an active ingredient in one of the other medications I am taking?
Sometimes when you see several different doctors, you will be prescribed medications that "overlap" with one another
(i.e. the active ingredient in one drug is the same as that in another). This will not only cost you more money,
but it could also cost you your life. There are thousands of deaths caused each year due to unintentional
drug over-doses.
|
9.
Re-Evaluate Your Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbal Remedies Intake.
If you are taking any nutritional supplements, vitamins, or herbal medications, you need to evaluate them, as well. Most people take more than they need or take them unnecessarily. This can not only hurt your wallet, but it can also hurt your health.
Nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies can interact with other medications and cause further illness or even death. If you are taking any of these types of medications, be sure to inform your doctor, each and every time your doctor prescribes medications to you.
The best way to prevent taking unnecessary medications is to take all of your medications, including over-the-counter, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies to your doctor and let him or her evaluate your medication intake. That way, any over-medicating, and possible drug interactions can be identified.
|
| 10. Medicine Storage: Did you know that the bathroom is one of the worst places to keep medicines!
Bathroom cabinets tend to be warm and humid, an environment that accelerates a drug's decomposition. Instead, keep medicines in a cool, dry place out of a child's reach.
|
| 11. Traveling: To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.
|
| 12. Drug Interaction: As you get older, there's a growing chance that you'll start taking more than one prescription medication. In fact, you may have to see several doctors, take many medications at once, and fill prescriptions at different pharmacies. These incidents can lead to problems with adverse side effects that are caused by drug interactions.
It's important that you keep track of all the medications your doctor prescribes. Every time your doctor writes you a new prescription, make sure he or she is aware of any other medications you are currently taking, including nonprescription over-the-counter products. Also, let your doctor know if you are allergic to any medications. If you use more than one doctor or pharmacy, make sure that each one knows all the drugs you are taking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a drug health tip you would like to share? Contact us and let us know what your tip is!
|
|
|
|
