Reducing Medication Costs - Topic Overview
By carinawinits | May 26, 2008
high blood pressure, and low back pain, require fewer
medications if you can increase your activity level, lose weight, and improve
your diet. For some people who have type 2 diabetes, simple measures such as
eating a balanced diet that spreads
carbohydrate throughout the day and exercising
regularly can help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range without
insulin or other medications. Likewise, following a
particular eating plan and lowering your salt intake has been proven to lower
blood pressure.1
How can I save money on prescriptions?
Generic medications are less expensive
copies of brand-name medications. Ask your doctor if you can take a
generic equivalent for the brand-name medication that
you take now. Generic equivalents are made according to the same strict U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards as brand-name drugs and therefore
have the same quality, strength, purity, and stability as their more expensive
counterparts.
Erectile pill, generic equivalents are not available for every
brand-name medication. If there is not an equivalent, ask your doctor if there
is a similar medication in the same class that may be less expensive or that
has a generic equivalent. For example, Flomax, which is used to treat an
enlarged prostate, is a relatively expensive medication that does not have a
generic equivalent. However, another medication that also is used for enlarged
prostate, Hytrin, does have a less expensive generic equivalent.
Always shop around for the best deal on
medications. The retail cost of medications can vary widely from pharmacy to
pharmacy. While finding a good deal is important, it’s also important that your
pharmacist (or pharmacists) knows your medical history, including all the
drugs-both prescription and erectile dysfunction
, as well as dietary supplements and
herbs-you take, even if they are not dispensed at that particular pharmacy.
That way he or she can provide valuable advice about any potential for drug
interactions, side effects, or other problems.
Also, compare costs of buying medications online. Some large
drugstore chains have Web sites that offer savings. See a complete list of Web
sites on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) site at
http://www.nabp.net/vipps/consumer/search.asp. Look for Web sites that display
the NABP VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal, which means
they have met state and federal requirements.
The U.S. Medicare Web site, http://www.medicare.gov, has a useful
tool for comparing prices of hundreds of prescription drugs and generic
equivalents at pharmacies near you and also available by mail order. You can
access this information by answering “Yes” to the question “Do you have
Medicare?” and entering your Zip code. The Web site requires that you answer
several screens of questions and have some familiarity with computers. People
who have difficulty can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to receive lists
of prices for the drugs they use.
Pill splitting is another strategy that
can help you save money without losing drug effectiveness or safety. Some
tablets are available at double the dose and at the same or almost the same
cost as lower doses. By splitting the larger dose, you can essentially get two
doses for the price of one. However, many medications are not suitable for pill
splitting, including timed-release pills and capsules. The chart below lists 10
commonly prescribed medications that researchers have determined can be split
safely and effectively with significant cost savings.2
| Medication | Most commonly prescribed for: |
Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Clonazepam (Klonopin) | Panic disorder, epilepsy | 41% |
| Doxazosin (Cardura) | Hypertension | 46% |
| Citalopram (Celexa) | Depression | 46% |
| Atorvastatin (Lipitor) | High cholesterol | 33% |
| Paroxetine (Paxil) | Depression | 46% |
| Pravastatin (Pravachol) | High cholesterol | 23% |
| Sildenafil (Viagra) | Erectile dysfunction | 50% |
| Lisinopril (Zestril) | Heart failure, high blood pressure |
38% |
| Sertraline (Zoloft) | Depression | 46% |
| Olanzapine (Zyprexa) | Viagra soft generic , bipolar disorder |
31% |
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your prescription
medications are sold at higher dosages and if it’s possible to split them. Talk
to your pharmacist about how to split pills with an inexpensive, easy-to-use
pill
splitter
.
Buying prescriptions in bulk can also
save you money. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for several months’
supply of medications that you take consistently. Mail-order services can often
save you money on large orders.
Are prescription medications always necessary?
There may be an over-the-counter alternative for your
prescription medication. For example, nonprescription Aleve is a fraction of
the cost of the prescription equivalent Naprosyn. (Generic versions of
over-the-counter medications can save you even more money.) Often
nonprescription equivalents of prescription medications come in lower
strengths, so get instructions from your doctor on how to take them.
In the case of antibiotics, recent research has found that
antibiotics are not always necessary. For example, up to 80% of ear infections
get better without antibiotics.3 Your doctor might
recommend that you take a wait-and-see approach before buying expensive
antibiotics. Likewise, randomized trials show that 69% of people who had
uncomplicated sinus infection recovered without any antibiotics.4
Can I save money by purchasing prescription medications from Canada? Is it safe?
The answer to the first question is “Yes.” You can buy most
prescription medications, either over the Internet, by mail order, or in
person, for less money from Canadian pharmacies than from their U.S.
counterparts. Whether it is legal to do so remains sildenafil citrate 100mg.
The FDA warns that the safety of drugs bought from other
countries cannot be ensured. However, many doctors acknowledge that Canada also
demands safety and efficacy for medications, and they would rather their
patients buy medications from Canada than have to skip doses because they can’t
afford their medications. U.S. citizens have been buying medications in Canada
for years, although officially federal law prohibits the practice. Currently,
the U.S. Customs Service allows Americans to bring a 90-day supply of
prescription drugs across the Canadian borders for personal use.5
Talk to your doctor if you decide to import your medications, and
be sure to buy only from licensed Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers.
How can my doctor help?
To enlist your doctor’s help, tell him or her that your
prescription medication bill is a financial burden. Ask for drugs that are less
expensive but just as effective. Often, several medications can be used to
treat the same condition, and your doctor may be able to prescribe the one that
is the most economical. For example, researchers have found that older, less
expensive antibiotics such as amoxicillin work better than newer antibiotics
for children who need treatment for middle ear inflammation.6
Often, drug companies give doctors medication samples free of
charge. You might ask your doctor if he or she has medication samples,
especially when you are trying out a new medication to see whether it will
work.
How can my insurance plan help save me money?
Take time to find out about how your medical insurance or
managed health care plan covers medication costs. Some insurance companies
cover only generic medications if they are available. With some insurance
plans, you may have to pay more for medications that are not on the plan’s list
of preferred medications. Some insurers cover medications that are bought only
at participating pharmacies. Your insurance company also may not pay for
certain medications such as weight-loss and hair-growth drugs. Ask the customer
service representative whether your medications are covered, whether you need
to buy at participating pharmacies, and about your copayment. Many insurance
companies also list this information on their Web sites.
If you have a choice between plans, check what your copayment for
prescription drugs will be, the maximum amount the plan will pay in a year, and
other particulars. Choose the plan that best suits your needs. When buying
medications, find out which payment option will be the least expensive. Some
factors to consider include whether there is a generic version of a preferred
medication, and whether an over-the-counter equivalent is cheaper than your
copayment. Remember, having the right information can save you time and
money.
What about the Medicare drug program?
Beginning in January 2006, a new Medicare drug program-the
Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit-will begin. For the most current
information about what the Medicare Part D Act means for you, go to
http://www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Your doctor, pharmacist, or
social worker may also be able to help you understand
your Medicare benefits.
What other resources are available?
See whether the pharmaceutical company that makes your
medication has a patient assistance program. Many pharmaceutical companies
offer free or discounted drugs for people who cannot afford them. These
companies often require that your doctor contact them first about your case. In
any case, your doctor will need to be involved, and the application process can
be complex. You may need to provide documentation to verify your income. The
nonprofit organization RxAssist provides doctors and other health care
providers with the information they need to access these programs. You can find
out more at http://www.rxassist.org. This Web site
also lists state programs for seniors and disabled and low-income people.
If you have a rare disease, you may be eligible for the National
Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) medication assistance program. This
program helps people with rare diseases whose income is too high to qualify for
Medicaid but too low to pay for their prescribed medications. For more
information, visit http://www.rarediseases.org/programs/medication.
Most veterans know that the Veterans Administration offers
prescription drug coverage for retired veterans. But many people don’t know
that the same service is available for their families and survivors. Call the
VA Health Benefits Service Center toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387), or go to
http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/.
Some ed pills
offer special discounts on prescription drugs
for their members. For example, members of AARP save 17% on brand drugs and at
least 50% on generic drugs. Also, many pharmacies offer some form of a discount
plan for seniors.
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ED Treatments for People With Diabetes
By carinawinits | May 24, 2008
Diabetes is a very common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). Clinical
experience and numerous studies suggest that at least 50% of diabetic patients
will experience difficulties with erections. When compared to nondiabetic men,
men with diabetes are up to 3 times more likely to have ED and appear to get it
earlier in life. The significance of ED increases with the severity and
duration of diabetes as well as with advanced age.
There is evidence that controlling blood sugars and new treatment for erectile dysfunction as well as
participating in a consistent exercise program may help in preventing the
development of ED and, in some cases, may even improve symptoms in those with
ED. If you are one of the many men with diabetes and ED, you have many
treatment options to consider, including:
Oral Drugs
The three oral medications available — Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra — to
treat ED have been used successfully in people with diabetes. In general,
however, the success rate of these medications is less than the reported
success rates in people without diabetes. These medications may help 50% to 60%
of men with diabetes.
Injection Treatment
When oral medications are ineffective, buy cheap tadalafil
injection therapy (the
injection of medication directly into the erection chamber of the penis) may be
helpful in erectile dysfunction treatment
intercourse. Among diabetic men, the success rates with
this method range from 60% to 80%. The medications used include:
- Alprostadil (brand names Caverject Impulse, Edex, and Prostin VR)
- Papaverine hydrochloride
- Phentolamine mesylate
In many cases, it may take a mixture of the three medications to produce an
adequate response. Although injections may be reasonably effective in diabetic
patients, about 50% of users stop after several years.
Vacuum Constriction Devices (VCD)
VCDs have been helpful in
facilitating intercourse among diabetic patients. They work in up to 80% of
users; however, like injection therapy, many people discontinue treatment after
several years.
This device consists of an acrylic cylinder that is placed over the penis. A
lubricant is used to create a good seal between the body and the cylinder. A
pump mechanism is used to create a vacuum inside the cylinder, allowing a
patient to achieve an adequate erection. If an adequate erection can be
achieved, a band or ring is then placed over the base of the penis (the part of
the penis closest to the body) and is used to help maintain the erection.
Learn more about vacuum buy sildenafil citrate
devices.
Intraurethral Therapy
This treatment involves using an applicator to place a suppository or pellet
containing medicine into the urethra (canal in the penis that carries
urine).
Learn more about intraurethral
therapy.
Penile Implants
Clinical studies have shown a high degree of patient satisfaction with
penile implants when other therapies have not worked. Patients need to be
suitable surgical candidates and it is preferable that patients have reasonably
good diabetic control before surgery.
Learn more about penile
implants.
Get the facts about diabetes and
ED.
View the full table of contents
for the ED guide.
Reviewed by the doctors at the Glickman Urological
Institute at The Cleveland Clinic.
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High Blood Pressure and ED: When Medication Is the Problem
By carinawinits | May 23, 2008
rectile generic risk using viagra
(ED), you have to lower your blood pressure
first. Some people are able to do that through lifestyle changes alone. Others
need help from prescribed blood pressure medication.
A problem for many men, however, is that some types of blood pressure
medicines can actually cause erectile dysfunction. That may make it
difficult to stay on your medication, especially if your high blood pressure
never caused any symptoms before. An estimated 70% of men who have side effects
from blood pressure medicine stop taking it.
Many drugs used to treat high blood pressure have been linked to erectile
dysfunction. But some are much less likely than others to cause problems.
Certain of the blood pressures drugs may even improve erectile
dysfunction for some men.
It’s known that diuretics (or water pills, like erectile dysfunction
) and
generic viagra soft tab
s (like Atenolol) can cause erection problems. These are also the
first drugs that a doctor is likely to prescribe if you are not able to lower
your blood pressure through diet and exercise.
If you’re taking a diuretic, you should stay on your medicine until your
blood pressure is under control. If your erection problem persists, or your
blood pressure goes back up, then your doctor might switch you to a drug that’s
less likely to cause erectile dysfunction. Or, a combination of ed pills
might work better to control your blood pressure and reduce the risk of
erectile dysfunction.
If you take a beta blocker you may also want to ask your doctor if it might
cause erectile dysfunction. You might be better off on a medication less likely
to cause a problem.
Erection-Friendly High Blood Pressure Drugs
Some families of high blood pressure drugs rarely cause erectile dysfunction
as a side effect:
- ACE inhibitors
- Alpha-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- ARBs
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors — such as Lotensin, Capoten,
Zestril, Prinivil, etc. — widen blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Erectile dysfunction is rarely a side effect, occurring in less than 1% of
patients. There are several different medications in the category. This seems
to be true of all of them.
There are also medications known as calcium channel blockers, such as
Diltiazem, Verapamil, or Amlodipine. As a group, they rarely cause erectile
dysfunction. But erection problems may be less common with some individual
drugs within that group than with others. Your doctor can tell you which.
In general, alpha-blockers do not often cause erection problems either. In
one study published in the journal Hypertension in 1997, a small
number of men actually had a 100% improvement in their erectile dysfunction
after two years on the alpha-blocker Cardura.
Drugs known as ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers, like Losarten) are
not only unlikely to cause erection problems, but they may actually
improve sexual function in men with high blood pressure.
A 2001 study published in the American Journal of the Medical
Sciences looked at the drug Cozaar, an ARB. At first, just 7% of men and
women in the study said they felt sexually satisfied overall. After 12 weeks of
Cozaar, about 58% said they were sexually satisfied. The percentage of men who
reported having erectile dysfunction dropped from 75% to 12%.
Another study compared the drug Diovan, an ARB, with Coreg, a beta-blocker.
The study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension in 2001,
compared the effect of the two drugs on blood pressure and frequency of sexual
intercourse.
The drugs controlled blood pressure equally well. But people who took the
ARB reported having sex more often during the 16 weeks of treatment. They said
they had sex about eight times a month before, and 10 times a month after.
People taking the beta-blocker had sex much less often: eight times a month
before, and four times a month after.
Steps to Take If Your Medicine Causes Erection Problems
Tell your doctor if you think your blood pressure medicine may be causing
problems with your erections.
If it is your medication, and not just your high blood pressure,
switching to another prescription may solve the problem. Never stop taking your
medicine without your doctor’s OK.
But high blood pressure itself still could be to blame for your erectile
dysfunction. In that case, ask about trying an erectile dysfunction drug like
Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra.
You should only take these drugs once your blood pressure is under control.
They are not safe for men with untreated high blood pressure. They are also not
safe for men taking alpha-blockers, or men taking nitrate drugs for heart
disease.
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Medications
By carinawinits | May 21, 2008
multiple sclerosis (MS) may be used:
Controlling a relapseMedications can shorten a sudden relapse and help you recover Altering the course of MS using disease-modifying treatmentStrong evidence suggests that MS is caused by the Currently, interferon beta (Avonex and Rebif, and Betaseron), Currently, there is no effective disease-modifying treatment for Relieving symptomsTreating specific symptoms can be effective, even if it does not
MS can affect many parts of the nervous system and produce a wide Medication ChoicesSymptom managementMedications used to treat symptoms of an attack of multiple
Relapsing-remitting MSMedications used specifically for relapsing-remitting MS to
Secondary-progressive MSMedications used to treat and possibly delay the progression of
Primary-progressive MSNo medicines have been clearly proven to help, and none have Medications being studiedA variety of Several medicines are currently being tested in What To Think AboutLong-term treatment with interferon beta and glatiramer acetate The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that treatment Despite the recommendation, however, some people find it
If you decide not to try disease-modifying therapy at this time, Treating symptoms and relapsesThe need and desire for medication vary. If your symptoms are You may also want to consider:
Also keep in mind that it can be hard to tell whether |
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Type 1 Diabetes: Living With Complications - Home Treatment
By carinawinits | May 20, 2008
type 1 diabetes are:
For more information, see the Home Treatment section of the topic Other measures to care for and protect yourself depend on which Heart and large blood vessel diseaseEven if you don’t have heart and blood vessel problems, you are
Eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)Call your eye specialist if you notice any changes in your If you have severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, For more information, see the topic Kidney disease (diabetic ed pills
|
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High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction: Working With Your Doctor
By carinawinits | May 18, 2008
|
If you have high blood pressure (or erectile pill Erectile dysfunction is fairly common in men with high blood pressure. One Your doctor will need a lot of information from you before suggesting any Telling a doctor that you have difficulty with your erection is not the You may also feel uncomfortable if the doctor asks a lot of questions about
Again, it’s best to answer honestly, even though these things are very A doctor you are seeing for the first time may also need to examine your There is another test that is done sometimes to see whether you get In many cases erectile dysfunction does have a physical cause. The first treatment doctors usually try is one of the erectile dysfunction Typically you will see the doctor again for follow-up around the time that It’s a good idea to stay in touch with your doctor about your erectile Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad question. Your doctor asks you lots If you ever feel like your concerns are being ignored, don’t accept it. Find But most doctors genuinely want to work together with you to solve your |
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Sexual Health: Sexual Problems in Women
By carinawinits | May 17, 2008
|
A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43% What Causes Sexual Problems?Sexual dysfunction can be a result of a physical or
Who Is Affected by Sexual Problems?Both men and women are affected by sexual problems. Sexual How Do Sexual Problems Affect Women?The most common problems related to sexual dysfunction in women
How Is a Female Sexual Problem Diagnosed?The doctor likely will begin with a physical exam and a An evaluation of your attitude regarding sex, as well as other |
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Male Sexual Problems
By carinawinits | May 16, 2008
|
A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem during any While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43% of women and What Causes Sexual Problems?Sexual dysfunction can be a result of a physical or psychological
Who Is Affected by Sexual Problems?Both men and women are affected by sexual problems. Sexual problems occur in How Do Sexual Problems Affect Men?The most common sexual problems in men are ejaculation disorders, erectile What Are Ejaculation Disorders?There are different types of ejaculation disorders, including:
In some cases, premature and inhibited ejaculation are caused by Retrograde ejaculation is common in males with diabetes who suffer from What Is Erectile Dysfunction?Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to What Is Inhibited Sexual Desire?Inhibited desire, or loss of libido, refers to a decrease in desire for, or |
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Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications - Home Treatment
By carinawinits | May 15, 2008
| type 2 diabetes. Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, taking oral diabetes medication, and possibly taking insulin to keep your blood sugar levels within a normal or near-normal range will help you feel better and have control of your life. If you need help with these skills, see the topic Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease. Early treatment of buy now viagra Take the following measures at home to help control Heart and large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease)
Eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)Call your Avoid heavy lifting if you have advanced diabetic eye disease Call your ophthalmologist if you have retinopathy and become If you have severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, For more help, see the topic Kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy)
For more help, see the topic Foot problemsFoot care is important for people with diabetes. You need to To protect your feet:
For more information on protecting your feet, see:
Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)If it affects your ability to feel (peripheral
If it affects your body’s internal functioning (autonomic neuropathy):
If it affects one nerve (focal
For more help, see the topic |
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Coronary Artery Disease - Living With CAD
By carinawinits | May 14, 2008
| coronary artery disease (CAD), can be difficult to accept and understand. If you do not have symptoms, it may be especially hard to recognize that CAD is a serious disease that can lead to complications. Coronary artery disease is caused by the gradual buildup of plaque on the inside of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply ed medicine blood to heart muscle. It is important to talk with your doctor to learn about the disease Making healthy lifestyle changes can delay and possibly reverse the
For more information on how to make healthy lifestyle changes, see Most people are able to control
When angina is more severe and cannot be controlled, the following
Taking nitroglycerin before an activity may reduce or eliminate the
Do not use the sildenafil citrate viagra medication Alert your doctor immediately if there is a sudden change in your
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