Discount Drug: Generic Drugs and Saving Money

Prescription Drug Info Abilify Accolate Accupril Accuretic Aciphex Actonel Actos Acular Advair Agenerase Aggrenox 200/25 Aldara Alesse Allegra Alphagan Altace Amaryl Amerge Ansaid Anthelios Arava Aricept Arimidex Atrovent Avandamet Avandia Avapro Azopt Baclofen Benoxyl Betagan Betaxolol Boniva Bumex BuSpar Cafergot Captopril Cardizem Cardura Casodex Celebrex Celexa Cellcept Cialis Cimetidine Cipralex Cipro Claritin Climara Combivent Coreg Cosopt Cotazym Coumadin Cozaar Crestor Cymbalta Danazol Daypro Depen Detrol Diovan Doxepin Effexor Elavil Elmiron Eltroxin Epivir Etidronate Evista Exelon Famotidine Famvir Feldene Femara Femhrt Fenofibrate Flexeril Flomax Flonase Florinef Flovent Floxin Fluoride Folic Acid Forteo Fosamax Gabapentin Geodon Gleevec Glyburide Gonal F Halog Herplex Humatin Hydralazine Hydrea Hydrodiuril Hytrin Hyzaar Imdur Imipramine Imitrex Isoptin K-Dur 1500mg Keppra Ketorolac Kytril Labetalol Lamictal Lamisil Lanoxin Lasix Lescol Levitra Levsin Lipitor Lopid Lotensin Lumigan 0.03% Macrobid Maxalt Metformin Metoprolol Mevacor Minocin Mirapex Namenda Naproxen Nasacort Nexium Niaspan Norvasc Oxytrol Paroxetine Pentasa Permax Plaquenil Plavix Plendil Prazosin Pravastatin Pravochol Premarin Premplus Prevacid Prinivil Procan Propecia Propranolol Protonix Prozac Questran Quibron Qvar Relafen Remeron Reminyl Renagel Requip Rexall Rifadin Rythmol Septra Singulair Spiriva 18mcg Sustiva Synthroid Synvisc Tambocor Tazorac Tenormin Topamax TriCor Ultravate Valtrex Vasotec Viagra Wellbutrin Xenical Yohimbine Zerit Zestril Zetia Zocor Zofran Zoloft

Prescription drugs can be an enormous medical expense, specifically for older people and those who are chronically ill. However, it is possible to substitute less expensive generic drugs for many brand-name products. By buying a discount drug, depending on your prescription needs, your savings could be significant. Before you talk with your doctor or pharmacist about switching, here are some things you should know about generic drugs.

Is there any difference between a generic and brand-name drug? Actually there is not much difference at all, except for name and price. A generic drug is called by its chemical name; a manufacturer assigns a brand name. The products have the same ingredients. It is required that a generic drug be equivalent to its brand-name complement. This means that it must have the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage form-pill, liquid, or injection. The generic drug also must be therapeutically equivalent-it must be the same chemically and have the same medical effect.

Not all drugs have a generic equivalent as some are protected by patents and are supplied by only one company. However, when the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce its generic version. Currently, about half the drugs on the market are available in generic form.

Is there a generic drug for me? To find out if there is a generic version of the medication you are taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Explain that you want the most effective drug at the best price. Ask your doctor to write prescriptions for generic drugs when possible. This is important because if a doctor writes the prescription for a specific brand name version, the pharmacist must fill the prescription as written, and may not be substituted with the generic version. However, your pharmacist can compare and evaluate generic and brand-name drugs and may be able to consult with your doctor to provide the right medication at the best possible price. To ensure savings, you could ask your doctor to write prescriptions for generic drugs whenever possible.