Many Americans, even those who have insurance coverage, spend more than they need to on prescription medications, says Consumer Reports. Those who regularly take a prescription drug spent an average of $758 a year, according to its 2012 Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs annual prescription-drug poll.
Here’s how to keep more money in your pocket and still get effective and safe treatments for what ails you.
Try an over-the-counter drug for some problems. For certain common conditions — heartburn, insomnia, seasonal allergies, migraine headaches, joint pain — a treatment you already have in your medicine cabinet might work as well as a prescription drug. Why? Many over-the-counter drugs were once prescription only. Those OTC drugs might be less expensive than prescription drugs for the same condition, and many are now available as low-cost generic store brands.
Skip OTCs for others. Some over-the-counter remedies should be used only after a trip to the doctor. Others don’t work well enough to justify the risk of side effects. Two examples:
The Oxytrol patch, previously a prescription-only drug, will become available this fall as an over-the-counter product for women with overactive bladders. As with all drugs in its class, Oxytrol (oxybutynin) is only moderately effective at relieving symptoms and can cause dry mouth and constipation. Consumer Reports’ medical advisers caution against treating yourself for an overactive bladder without first seeing a physician for a diagnosis.
A multi-symptom cold reliever might not provide the relief you seek and could cause side effects. You are better off listening to mom about getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids.
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