To avoid the high price of generics, start shopping for them at a discount pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens. If that doesn’t work, try online sites like Amazon or drugstore.com, which often offer steep discounts on affordable generics. Even if you want to avoid switching to generic drugs, switching to a lower-cost medication is always worth it if you shop around and aren’t overly frugal with your health insurance coverage.
You may have heard of Lipitor if you’re looking to lower your cholesterol. The brand name atorvastatin has been around since 1996 and is one of the most popular drugs in the world—it’s the best-selling drug ever. That doesn’t mean it isn’t expensive, though—the average price for a 30-day supply was $865 per month in 2017.
But you no longer need to pay hefty prices for this cholesterol-lowering drug! A generic version of atorvastatin called Livalo® (pitavastatin) is available in several dosages: 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, and 160 mg tablets. They can be taken once daily on an empty stomach with or without food and are available by prescription only.*
Advair Diskus (fluticasone, salmeterol)
Advair is a combination inhaler of two drugs: fluticasone and salmeterol. It treats asthma, which can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The primary benefit of Advair over other inhalers is that it contains both an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone) and a long-acting beta2-agonist (salmeterol). This can help manage symptoms better than monotherapy with either fluticasone or salmeterol alone. Unfortunately, because it’s not currently available as a generic drug in the United States, you must pay the total price for this medication at the pharmacy. However, you may save money on this prescription by asking your insurance company if they cover Advair or if there are any copay assistance programs available where you live—you may be able to get your copay reduced or even eliminated for some plans!
Lantus Solostar (insulin glargine)
Average cost: $500+ per month
How to save money:
With the rising cost of health care in America, it’s no surprise that pharmacists have been searching for new ways to cut costs. One way they do this is by creating generic drugs that are identical or similar to their brand-name counterparts but cost less than half as much.
You may have yet to realize that even when you buy over-the-counter generic drugs (OTC), they can still be expensive, depending on where you shop. This can be a problem if your insurance doesn’t cover OTC medications and your doctor says it will help with chronic conditions like high cholesterol or acid reflux.
So what can you do? Find the best online pharmacy in the USA!
While many popular generic drugs could save you a lot of money, it’s important to remember that not all generic drugs are cheaper than the brand name. But if you can opt for generics, we urge you to do so. Generic alternatives can save you hundreds of dollars every month without compromising quality or safety.