This part of the guide will be dedicated to exploring the different answers to a very common question: How can I save on prescription drugs?



As everything else in our site this is a work in progress and member participation is most welcome. Please post your suggestions, comments, tips, links...



The first things that comes to mind when trying to reduce prescription drug cost are:



1. Use less prescription drugs, do not use so many prescription drugs



2. Splitting pills/tablets. In many cases, cutting higher dosage tablets in half can save 50 percent of the prescription cost. Some brands cost the same per pill even if the medication contained in each pill is different. Most pharmacies sell pill splitters or tablet cutters. Note that not all tablets can be safely cut in half. You will have to do a bit of research.



3. Buy smart, buy the same for less

3.A. Start early! Your quest for savings should start with your physician. Ask how much the prescription will cost you. Mention you are on a tight budget. If you can't afford what the physician wants to prescribe insist on something else, ask for a cheaper alternative. Also keep in mind that physicians receive a lot free samples and do not mind giving them away. If you ask for free samples you will most likely get them, (this does not usually apply for controlled substances).

3.B. Compare prices. Do a bit of research.

Drugbuyers.com can help you in a number of ways with this. We have a drug list that allows you to Compare Prices, our free area features two forums called "Who Offers It? How Much?" and "Who offers it? How much? W/UPDATES" that will help you find who offers a particular prescription drug for less, and our feedback and questions and answers forums are loaded with info. Try our search feature to locate all posts related to the med or topic that interests you.



3.A. Replace brand names for generics or other brand names that cost less

3.B. Domestic mail order pharmacies and online pharmacies.

3.C. Use Canadian, Mexican, and other foreign pharmacies

3.D. Use DrugBuyers.Com VIP Discounts, discount cards, senior discounts, veteran discounts, coupons, and other discounts



4. Patient assistance programs

Check our suggested links Links to information on how to obtain free meds

DB Thank you for the Free medicine links! I know people who can put these links to work today! Great resorce to have access to>>>>>>>>>NEON

Please use yahoo search (not google)...

Quote:

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3.A. Start early! Your quest for savings should start with your physician. Ask how much the prescription will cost you. Mention you are on a tight budget. If you can't afford what the physician wants to prescribe insist on something else, ask for a cheaper alternative. Also keep in mind that physicians receive a lot free samples and do not mind giving them away. If you ask for free samples you will most likely get them, (this does not usually apply for controlled substances).

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I just wanted to add that this is VERY TRUE and should help if a person will just ask their doctor...before I got my insurance,my doctor would write for the cheapest meds he could think of..(i.e.the cheapest antibiotics,ect)..and I was able to call him and ask for his samples of stuff if I couldn't get my meds or if I was running low and he would leave a bag of free pills to pick up at the front desk.He was always pretty good about letting me have the samples,I would leave there with a 14 day supply of free antibiotics and that was a lifesaver.I am sure if people just ask and make their doctor aware that price is a concern,they will give them out.(that's what they're there for)
Another way is to call around local pharmacies....I found out that a local mom and pop place was cheaper on one of my meds than my co-pay at the others...so it pays to call around.
I am THE bargain hunter..so this thread is a great help.Thanks DB.
Kam

To the administrator; I am completely surprised that you advise people to cut their pills in half. Most of the time there is a reason, chemical in nature, that could be very dangerous for certain meds to be split. Sometimes it could be a time release, and others, the chemical reaction is different. When I have cut my pills in half, and take the whole thing instead of half,their pain control doesn't last as long & I have noticed that the medicine is much stronger when I don't cut it in half. I have gotten sick when cutting certain meds in half. I'm not a chemist by no means, but I have studied & researched a little bit on this subject.JMHO, vixxen

Admin does actually state, "Note that not all tablets can be safely cut in half. You will have to do a bit of research."

If in doubt about cutting pills, ask your doctor. I cut several of my prescriptions in half, and some of them were to get my thyroid meds at the right level, so they had to be cut. My paroxetine can be titrated down until I am off. My doctor okayed it. Even my ambien can be cut in half. If in doubt, just ask your doctor. The control release ones cannot, like Metform or Ambien CR. If it is a drug you can cut, opt up for the higher dosage. It's only a few dollars more and it will definitely get you through two months, like ambien, paroxetine, many statins.

great ideas.....keep them coming

As far as generics go, Most WalMarts now offer $4 prescription on quite a few generic meds. When I was prescribed an anti-imflammatory the doc told me to fill it at Walmart because it would only be $4. Elsewhere it would be over $100 for the brand and almost $30 for generic.

I would invite anyone to read "Is your pharmacy costing you too much?" A post I had made in Other Related Topics on this forum. I had copied & pasted the information from an email I got regarding the lowest costing chain pharmacies. There could be some information you didn't know that will end up saving you a LOT of money (not just a few bucks) next time you need a script refilled.

click to read

Since I am an AARP member I was told that I can save up to 53% on certain drugs, and even more if I use mail order. Well I signed up, they are with United Healthcare, and Express scripts is handling their mail order pharmacy. To those that are not over 50 count your blessings, and to those of us that has made it to 50 and over count our blessings too, although I live in a constant state of denial.
BTW: My doctor writes most of my prescriptions directing me to take 1/2 for cost effectiveness.

Isn't that the truth, though??? I can TOTALLY relate! Me? 50? Who? What? Check that date again, would you, please?

LMAO

Ibuprofen is a very effective analgesic providing remedy for many different kinds of pain. It’s not as hard on the liver as Tylenol although it does have the same possible side effects as Aspirin. I have found that using Ibuprofen in conjunction with hydrocodone allows me to take less hydro while achieving a similar level of relief. High dose brand name Ibuprofen products are available with prescriptions such as: Advil, Motrin, Medipren, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, et. al.

The prescription brands such as the ones mentioned above usually contain about 400-800mg of Ibuprofen and can cost anywhere from $22 to $100 or more for 100 pills. OR, you can purchase generic Ibuprofen without a prescription at Wal-Mart or any discount pharmacy for a fraction of the cost.

The combined savings of using fewer hydro and buying generic Ibuprofen can really add up!

Thanks for sharing that info. I've used ibuprofen with the hydro and it has helped, like you stated. I didn't think about the cost savings, but you're correct.

I'd take ibuprofen more often if it didn't upset my stomach so much. It really is effective.

If you go into a UK pharmacy and ask for Zirtec, you will pay several pounds for it. If you ask for the cheapest cetirizine, it will cost you a few pennies. Yet so many people don't know, and I constantly hear people asking for brand names. Especially rubbishy branded cough medicines which make no pharmacological sense.

In the Eastern USL

Publix Pharmacies Launch Free Prescription drug Program in All Operating Areas


Aug. 6, 2007 — Beginning today, Publix Super Markets chainwide is offering a free prescription drug program at its 684 Publix Pharmacies for the following oral antibiotics
Amoxicillin
Cephalexin
Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)
Ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR)
Penicillin VK
Ampicillin and
Erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab).

These antibiotics account for almost 50 percent of the generic, pediatric prescriptions filled at Publix. New or current customers simply need to provide their Publix pharmacist with their prescription, up to a 14-day supply, and it will be filled at no charge. Publix is not limiting the number of prescriptions customers may fill for free.

____________ SECONG NEW OFFER_______________

Meijer Pharmacy Free Antiotic Offer

The program covers leading, oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on the prescriptions most often filled for children. The following are FREE with your doctor's prescription, regardless of insurance or co-pay:

Amoxicillin
Cephalexin
SMZ-TMP
Ciprofloxacin
Ampicillin
Penicillin VK
Erythromycin

Prescription must be picked up at store in person. Maximum 14 day supply at normal oral dosages. Does not include extended release formulations. List may be subject to change. Not valid with any other offer.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

One word on breaking tablets, it should only be considered if the tablet is scored from the manufacturer. When tablets are scored the manufacturer guarantees that equal amounds of the active ingredient, are actually in both halfs.

If you DO break an unscored tablet, the entire dose of medication may be all together in a small portion of the pill. One day you may get the full tablet dose and on day two, get nothing. Depending on the medication this can be a dangerous practice.

Some pills have an enteric coating, and they should never be broken or chewed. Sometimes the stomach acids can inactivate a medication, or a medication can also irritate the stomach. So, pills with an enteric coating are made to dissolve in the intestine. When you break it or chew it, you can end up getting none of the medication, or even creating gastric ulcers.

Most enteric coatings are shiny, smooth, or may appear like a gelatin layer. If unsure ask your pharmacist or check it online.

Also, Walgreens has a prescription savings program for people without insurance. They gave it to me for free and it's saved me bundles. It's called UNARX.

For example, one med I'm on would normally cost about 80 bucks, but with the UNARX at Walgreens, it's like 12 dollars.

I think you just have to ask for it and they'll give it to you.

Wow Leelee27 a blast from the past i haven't seen you around since svs was giving out 120 count without records.

Repteur....leelee's post is from 5/05...Just thought I would point that out.
Stevo

LoL thanks for pointing that out. Those were good days around here. I haven't seen her around in a long time.

Most major drug companies have programs to help people who can't afford their meds.

Parmer with a longtime customer of an online drugstore. The one I use offers a 10$ discount to the regular and 10$ off new users when the tell them that I referred them to their site.
to their site. They are extremely reliable, always next day shipment and low prices. I have been using them for the past year and NEVER had a problem. Email me at bet_u_don@yahoo.com and I will give you the info.

Need alternative to ProServe/ProPatient/First Class and My Primary....

For various reasons, I'd like to find someone reliable and unrelated...I have NO idea where to post this, but while the service was great over all, I've had issues, and am at a complete loss where to start finding a 'new' reliable op.

Thanks so much for any other OP/OCS's that will treat me right...I'm happy to use Direct Scripts, but...just a diff service.

Please feel free to PM me.

And thank you for your support!

Hi everyone, wishing goodluck one and all of this community, have a nice day, thank u
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charles
Drug Addiction Treatment

they are the only ones that remember your birthday before anyone else does. http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/000202B4.gif

I been getting mailings from AARP lately. Is it worth it to join. I can't even get my kid to remember my birthday. Marlboro remembers every year and sends me a card and coupon for $10 off my next carton. Very nice of them.

Neatjeans how are you long time no talk http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020163.gif

I really, really miss you too. I am very well Dawn. What is happening with you dear. I am browsing around seeing what is happening. Trying to stay out of trouble but I can see that might be a problem now!!! Did you see Crystal? I know that plenty of trouble can be had in what I call "downstairs".

xxx off topic removed xxx