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Saving ON over-the-counter medications:
We all know the cost of prescription medications adds up quickly, but have you
ever added up the cost of any over-the-counter meds you're using? They add up,
too, but there are ways to keep those costs down. Those of us with headaches and
Migraine have been targeted by the commercials for products such as Excedrin
Migraine, Advil Migraine, and Excedrin Tension Headache. The different packaging
isn't entirely the pharmaceutical companies' doing. If they want to advertise a
current product for a condition other than those for which the FDA originally
approved it, they have to submit new clinical trials for approval, the do new
labeling and packaging. It's up to us to read the labels to see that those
products aren't any different than some of the "standard" products; and the
standard brand name products aren't any different than generic, store brands.
- Compare ingredients in "specialty" meds
to the standard brand name meds. Then compare the prices. Although the
manufacturers recommend the same retail price for the specialty OTC meds, such
as Excedrin Migraine, some stores charge more for it. Examples:
- When you review the label, you'll find
that each tablet of Excedrin Migraine contains the exact same
ingredients as Extra Strength Excedrin:
- 250 mg acetaminophen
- 250 mg aspirin
- 65 mg caffeine
- When you take a close look at the label of
Excedrin Tension Headache, you'll find that each caplet or geltab
contains:
- 500 mg acetaminophen
- 65 mg caffeine
- The label on Advil Migraine reveals
it to contain the same ingredient as Advil Liqui-Gels:
- Solubilized ibuprofen equal to 200 mg
ibuprofen
- Compare the brand name products to store
brands:
- 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg aspirin, 65
mg caffeine:
- Extra Strength Excedrin: 250 tablets, $
13.69¹
- CVS brand Added Strength Headache Relief
coated tablets: 275 tablets, $ 8.29
- 500 mg acetaminophen, 65 mg caffeine
- Excedrin Tension Headache: 100 tablets,
$9.49
- CVS Non-Aspirin Solid Gelcaps Extra
Strength: 100 gelcaps, $6.49*
- 200 mg ibuprofen
- Tylenol Liqui-Gels: 180 liqui-gels,
$14.99
- CVS brand tablets: 200 tablets, $9.00
- If you'll use it before the expiration date,
buy the larger quantity:
- CVS brand Headache Relief coated tablets:
- 100 tablets, $5.49 = $0.05 per tablet
- 275 tablets, $ 8.29 = $0.03 per tablet
- CVS Non-Aspirin Solid Gelcaps Extra
Strength:
- 100 gelcaps, $6.49 = $0.065 per gelcap
- 400 gelcaps, $15.33 - $0.038 per gelcap
- CVS Ibuprofen Capsules, 200 mg:
- 100 tablets, $6.99 = $0.069 per tablet
- 750 tablets $17.99 = $0.024
- If you only find small quantities on the
shelf, ask the pharmacist if he or she can get a larger quantity for you.
For example: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) are
usually found on the pharmacy shelves in packages of 8 to 48 tablets or
capsules. The Benadryl is blister packaged, which annoys many people. Both can
be ordered by your pharmacist if not already in stock, and the prices will be
much lower. I was paying $3.79 for 24 store brand diphenhydramine tablets, 25
mg each. When I asked our pharmacist, she was able to order a bottle of 100
for which we paid $3.61. Even better, we later found a bottle of 400 tablets
at Sam's Club for $3.22.
Saving WITH over-the-counter medications:
Now, let's look at things from a slightly different angle. Do you take any
prescription medications that could be safely and effectively replaced by
over-the-counter medications? Some of the truly great prescription medications
have now gone OTC -- Benadryl, Claratin, Tagamet, Zantac, Sudafed, and others.
Before your next visit to your doctor, do a bit
of homework:
- Make a list of all your medications.
- Check to see of there are
over-the-counter medications that you think might serve the same purpose.
Maybe something you took in the past that worked well has gone OTC. You can
also ask your pharmacist.
- Comparison shop to see how much you'd
need to pay for the OTC medication.
- Compare the cost of the OTC
medication to what you pay now for your prescription medication or your
insurance copayment on that medication.
- If you think you'd save money substituting
OTC meds for any of your prescriptions, take your findings to your doctor
and ask his or her opinion.
Using the generic Benadryl from above, here's
an example of how this can work out: I was taking a prescription antihistamine
for allergies. A 90-day supply through our insurance company's mail order
pharmacy cost $45. The generic Benadryl, diphenhydramine, works just as well for
me, my doctor said it's fine, and a 90-day supply is less that $1.50. Why should
I continue using a prescription medication? We can all think of better things to
do with the $43.50 saved there.
Summary:
Over-the-counter medications can play a prominent role in our treatment
regimens. With a bit of investigating and comparison shopping, quite a bit of
money can be saved on them. Additionally, prescription medications aren't always
superior to OTC meds. If you think an OTC medication would work as well for you
and be less expensive, ask your doctor. Health care costs are high enough for
all of us that every bit we can save helps.
* To get the caffeine that's in the Excedrin
Tension Headache, just add a cup of coffee or glass of iced tea.
¹ All prices, unless otherwise noted, taken
from the CVS Pharmacy web site for comparison purposes only. I have no
affiliation with CVS. Last Updated
July 17, 2004 |
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Saving on
and with OTC Medications 
