Health Secrets of a Pharmacist to Save Money on Your Meds

Pharmacists dispense more than simply tablets. Terri Shelton, PharmD, a retail pharmacy supervisor at Indiana University Health, shares her top ideas for managing your medications.

Generic isn't really always best. 

The FDA needs generic drugs to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage type, and path of administration as the brand-name item. There may be very minor variations that typically have no result on the user-- however there are exceptions. "Some types of drugs, such as thyroid medication and anti-seizure medications, have an extremely slim restorative window, which indicates the dosage has to be very exact to prevent toxicity," Shelton states. If you're on one those drugs, it's best to stick to the trademark name given that the formula never ever changes.

Another problem to consider is allergic reactions. "A small number of home owner dislike inactive components in a drug, such as dye," says Shelton. If that's a problem, speak with your pharmacist about which variation of your medication is well for you.

Attempting to choose the best non-prescription cold medication? Ask a pharmacist. 

Browsing the cold and allergic reaction medication aisle is harder than you think, says Shelton. "There are many items on the marketplace and so much overlap in components that it's best to share your symptoms with your pharmacist and request for help," she discusses. Some people erroneously take multiple medications with the exact same components (for example, taking an allergy drug and a cold medication that both contain an antihistamine) or utilize a different over the counter discomfort medication that may already remain in their cold medication. Lots of merely use a lot of medications-- combining a cough syrup with a cold tablet that alleviates coughs, for example. "These drugs can have uneasy side effects, so taking a lot of will just make you feel worse," states Shelton.

Not all over the counter pain medications are created equal.

The one you select must depend upon the kind of discomfort you're experiencing. "Acetaminophen benefits a fever, headache, and pain that isn't really associated with a muscular problem," states Shelton. For muscular discomfort like a backache or menstrual cramps, or other types of inflammatory discomfort such as a toothache, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen is better, considering that acetaminophen doesn't target inflammation. There are side effects and contraindications to think about as well. "NSAIDs can be difficult on the intestinal tract and thin the blood, while home owner in any phase of liver failure must not take acetaminophen," says Shelton.

Having a hard time to pay for your medication? Inform your pharmacist. 

Shelton recommends bringing a list of your existing medications to your pharmacist and asking for cost-cutting recommendations. "Some of the more recent medications on the marketplace are in fact mixes of other drugs, that makes them easier but sometimes more costly," she states. If you're on one, your pharmacist can talk to your doctor to see if you can take the drugs independently, which might cut costs. He can likewise signal you to unique programs and gain access to cards that help make co-pays of particular pricey medications more cost effective.

Tweet