Archive for the 'prescription drugs' Category

Tip! The three most commonly misused types of prescription drugs are opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants.

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As pointed out by *Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing consultant “For the first nine months of this year, the U.S. imported $40 billion in pharmaceuticals and exported only $21 billion. In 2003, we imported $50 billion and exported $23 billion.” So what makes buying from your local U.S. based pharmacy any safer then purchasing from Mexico or Canada?

Many of today’s elderly (U.S.) cross the borders of Mexico and Canada in order to get their prescriptions filled at a huge discount. For some it has become a necessity because they simply can’t afford necessary drug treatments any other way.

But what about those who don’t live near the borders; how can they take advantage of these savings? Fact is there are a lot of prescription drugs that can be purchased online from international locations for a fraction of the cost people pay here in the United States. A good example of this is www.rxmex.org where many of today’s best known brand drugs can be found such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Zocor, Zoloft, Propecia and more. However they not only offer name brand drugs at sharp discounts they also give seniors the opportunity to buy generic versions of most of these name brand drugs for savings that can reach up to 80% less then their name brand counterparts!

Tip! Narcotic analgesics (also knows as Opioids) such as morphine, codeine, and demerol are some of the most misused prescription drugs. They essentially block pain messages to the brain.

When a drug company first invents a drug (eg. Prozac) that company is the only one allowed to make that drug for a certain number of years (approximately 10 years in the US). After this time period, other companies are allowed to make the same drug. These drugs are called generics. The original drug (eg. Prozac) is called a brand name drug. Brand name drugs and their generics are IDENTICAL in terms of active ingredients. The generic pills may look different (because they are made by a different company) but inside is exactly the same active ingredient which works in exactly the same way. The only difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs is that generics are always less expensive.

Most all drugs found at www.rxmex.org require a prescription so this licensed pharmacy can fill most orders by having the purchaser fax them their prescription and the shipped order can be tracked online. Another benefit to ordering this way is that there is no tax to be paid and orders are shipped internationally.

Tip! Hopefully, with this new research and increased awareness from those who support people over the age of 65, seniors can start researching, asking questions about and purchasing prescription drugs online with little to no hassle or headache.

While some headway has been made in the last year or so in regards to reducing prescription drug costs for seniors, for now it’s simply not enough for so many of our elderly. With the political clout of today’s drug companies who converge on Washington D.C. like vultures I’m not sure the costs will ever get to the point where it should be. Until then places like www.rxmex.org with their name brand and generic low cost versions of many prescription drugs will continue to be another excellent low cost source for today’s seniors.

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Stephen Dayton is the author of this article, featuring
RxMex Pharmacy,
a website providing people information and options to save money on their prescription drug purchases by buying Generic Prescription Drugs.
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Tip! It will be extremely time consuming and difficult to decipher myriad plans available in each state (all providing different coverage) and to try and figure out which plan is best for you personally. This will be twice as hard for a couple as the prescription drugs used by each person in the couple will be different and therefore they may require different plans.

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Save Up to 93% by Asking for a Generic - Use generics whenever they are available. Both brand name and generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, are the same in strength and dosage and meet the same government quality control standards.

Savings on brand name vs. generic drugs will vary from drug to drug and pharmacy to pharmacy but can be significant. Some remarkable examples:

* Prozac brand 20mg, 100 tablets cost $280.19
Generic sells for $29.99 (Savings 89%)

* Vasotec brand 5mg, 100 tablets costs $103.59
Generic sells for $18.19 (Savings 82%)

Ask Your Doctor is an Older Medication is as Effective - Often, physicians prescribe a newer drug that has been promoted as more effective. However, what this really means is that it is considerably more expensive. For example, newer antibiotics are often no more effective than the older antibiotics. A great generic broad-spectrum antibiotic can cost 80% less than a new antibiotic.

Tip! Surveys show that addicted adults rely on prescription drugs to stimulate emotions of happiness or contentment. Mothers, for example, sometimes turn to prescription drugs to help them cope with postpartum depression.

Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter (OTC, non-prescription) medicine - Sometimes an OTC medication can be as effective as the prescription, and if it is, chances are the OTC medicine will be considerably cheaper. For example, a one-month supply of Pepcid 20mg costs approximately $60. Pepcid AC, over-the-counter in 10mg strength (you would simply take two) costs approximately $23.

Tip! There are many reasons why buying prescription drugs online can carry dangers.

Cut Your Costs in Half by Using a Pill Splitter - Most pharmacies stock pill splitters. Sometimes, medications can be broken in half and save you 50%. Why? Several pharmaceutical manufacturers price some of their medications the same for all strengths. For example, Lipitor is almost the same price for all strengths. It’s possible to save as much as $100 on a one month supply of Lipitor just by getting the larger strength and cutting in half. Ask your pharmacist.

If your medication can be split, make sure you check the figures. If the higher dose is less than double the cost for your regular dose then you will be saving money by having your doctor prescribe the higher dose and then splitting it.

Disclaimer: Using a pill splitter is not appropriate for all medications and could be dangerous if done with the wrong medication. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if there would be any problems with splitting the tablets or capsules.

Tip! It is vital that anyone who is addicted to prescription drugs gets treatment. Prescription drug addiction treatment helps the addicts to safely deal with their drug problems in a supervised and secure environment.

Ask your doctor for a “trial prescription” when starting a new medication - If the doctor does not have samples, ask your pharmacist to give you only a one-week supply to try. It is a federal law that medicines cannot be returned once they are dispensed. If you get a month’s supply and can’t tolerate the medicine or, you don’t want to continue the medicine, you’ll have saved money by not buying a full prescription at the start.

Ask for free samples of your prescription medicine - If it’s your first prescription for a particular medicine, this is also a good way to “try” the medicine to see how well it works for you and how well you tolerate any side effects. However, even though it is nice to have a free drug for a week or two, make sure it’s not a high-priced alternative that will end up costing you more when it comes time to pay for a full prescription.

Tip! Fortunately, the Internet now makes it possible for many uninsured consumers to obtain medicines by way of discount prescription drug purchases. Yes, consumers are now able to buy prescription drugs, online, safely and quite easily.

Consider using mail-order pharmacy services - You can usually order up to a 3-month supply of your prescription medicine for about 30% less than the individual prescription refills. Mail-order pharmacies are also more private and often more convenient. You should be aware, however, that a mail-order pharmacy can’t fill prescriptions as fast as your pharmacy. So mail order is usually best for maintenance-type drugs. If you use an Internet pharmacy service, be sure it carries the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices Sites (VIPPS) seal, which identifies sites licensed to sell prescription medicines online.

It pays to “shop around” - Prices can vary from one pharmacy to another. However, instead of filling your medicines at a number of different pharmacies on the basis of lowest price or when you find a bargain price, ask if your regular store will match it. It’s best to buy your medicines at a pharmacy that keeps track of everything you’re taking, allowing the pharmacist to warn you about potentially harmful medicine interactions.

Tip! That’s another place your money goes when you buy prescription drugs - lawyers. Drug companies spend a lot of money paying for court cases to extend the patents of certain drugs.

Pay Attention to the Quantity - Find out how much medication you really may need, and make sure your doctor doesn’t order you more medicine than is necessary to treat your condition. In addition, make sure you understand exactly what it is meant to do and for how long. If you are prescribed two drugs for the same symptom, ask if you really need both.

Look into prescription medicine discount programs from the manufacturers - Most pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide medicines at little cost or offer discounts on their medicines for people with low to modest incomes and/or no insurance coverage. Check manufacturers’ websites, including http://www.helpingpatients.org, for more details.

Tip! You can save 20%-50% by ordering prescription drugs over the phone. Bonus, you do not have to pick them up at the pharmacy.

Veterans May Qualify for More Benefits - Recent laws have changed that grant veterans medical benefits for certain illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, provided the veteran is subject to qualifying conditions like Agent Orange exposure. To see if you qualify for benefits contact the Veteran’s Administration.

Once a year, have your doctor review your medications - Find out if you are paying for some drugs you no longer need or if less expensive versions have become available since the last time you checked. In addition, it’s a good idea to review all your prescriptions with your pharmacist in addition to your doctor. A pharmacist’s valuable knowledge is free, and s/he may find something your doctor missed. Ask questions about side effects and drug interactions.

Join AmeriPlan® USA - AmeriPlan® USA, the nation’s premier health benefits plan, can save you up to 50% off most generic drugs and up to 25% off most name brand drugs at thousands of retail pharmacies nationwide. Plus by using the plan’s mail-order service, you can expect to see even greater savings.

Tip! A recent national survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation in association with Princeton Survey Research Associates (PSRA) discovered that the digital world is still divided when it comes to seniors purchasing prescription drugs online.

But AmeriPlan® saves you money on much more than prescriptions. Included, at no additional cost, are Dental benefits, Vision care benefits and Chiropractic care benefits. Even with the combined four benefits, AmeriPlan® is more affordable than traditional insurance - only $11.95 a month for an individual and $19.95 a month for an entire household.

Let’s face it, sooner or later you or someone in your family will need a medication prescribed by a doctor. The question is not will you pay for the drug but rather which price will you be paying? Full Retail Price or the AmeriPlan® discounted price?

Find out more about how you can save money with AmeriPlan® Health by visiting www.HealthcareWithinReach.com

AmeriPlan Health® benefit programs are NOT insurance, nor are they an alternative to or substitution for insurance coverage. You must use an AmeriPlan® provider and pay the discounted fee at the time of service. Visit http://www.ameriplanusa.com/disclaimer.asp for more information.

Tip! The elderly are also increasingly vulnerable to prescription drug addiction because they tend to be given more drugs to treat diverse illnesses. Adults tend to stretch prescription drugs beyond their intended usage.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this report is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be construed as the delivery of medical care or advice and is not a substitute for personal, hands-on medical attention, diagnosis or treatment. Persons requiring diagnosis or treatment or with specific questions are urged to contact their personal healthcare provider for appropriate care.

This article was written by Melissa Horn, a mother of two kids under five, a novice golfer & an AmeriPlan USA Broker. Contact her at melissa@healthcarewithinreach.com

Tip! Opioids: these are synthetic versions of opium. Intended for pain management opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

The use of prescription drugs is often overlooked as a major factor that contributes to nutritional deficiencies. Typically, the focus is placed on diet and perhaps some lifestyle issues, but many are unaware that the medications they use are possibly creating additional health problems that may not become apparent for a long time. Drug-induced nutrient depletion is a health threat that is not acknowledged by the majority of health care practitioners and it’s not because of a lack of information about the subject, because many studies have been published that document the drug-induced depletion of nutrients.

Tip! There are many reasons why buying prescription drugs online can carry dangers.

Nutritional deficiencies do not become obvious quickly. A marginal nutrient deficiency, referred to as a “subclinical deficiency,” indicates a deficiency of a particular vitamin or mineral that is not severe enough to produce a classic deficiency sign or symptom. In many instances the only clue of a subclinical nutrient deficiency may be fatigue, lethargy, difficulty in concentration, a lack of well-being, or other vague symptoms.
Deficiency-related health problems may never be diagnosed, and the patient may end up taking additional medications for complaints that are really the body’s signal for nutrition therapy.

Drugs can deplete nutrients by decreasing their absorption, or by hindering the way nutrients are transformed by the body. They can also affect the storage of nutrients or the way the body excretes the end products of the metabolism of nutrients.

Tip! It is vital that anyone who is addicted to prescription drugs gets treatment. Prescription drug addiction treatment helps the addicts to safely deal with their drug problems in a supervised and secure environment.

The key to preventing this kind of deficiency is to know what vitamin or mineral can be affected by the drug prescribed to the patient.

If the drug will be used for a lengthy period of time the patient should simply increase intakes of the specified nutrient for the duration of the use of the drug. This simple step will help prevent deficiency-related health problems and help improve the chances of achieving the desired health outcomes for patients.

Some examples of nutrient depletion are as follows:

Antacids deplete calcium and phosphorus

Antibiotics deplete B vitamins (all of them), intestinal flora and Vitamin K

Antidiabetics deplete Coenzyme Q10

Anti-inflammatories deplete Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and iron

Cholesterol-lowering drugs deplete Coenzyme Q10

Cardiovascular drugs deplete calcium, folic acid and zinc

Ace Inhibitors deplete zinc

Tip! If you plug the search term ‘buy prescription drugs online’ into your favorite search engine, you will be presented with thousands of link choices. Visit as many of these sites as time permits.

Beta-Blockers deplete Coenzyme Q10 and melatonin

Sandra Wilkins, D.T. has extensive experience in natural health and clinical nutrition. As a Dietetic Technician Sandra works with hospital staff dietitians, performing patient nutrition assessments,food and drug interaction education, and patient diet education. In a different capacity she provides
nutritional counseling for patients, by appointment, for an established family practice comprised of physicians who incorporate the use of supplements into the protocols established for their patients. She also conducts seminars
for the practice,covering topics such as women’s health, weight management, information on supplementation, and the effects of nutrition on health. Her background includes 12 years experience
in the natural health arena, where she continues to provide nutrition and wellness counseling. She has a strong foundation in natural health practices and product knowledge. Her combined natural health and clinical nutritional experience makes her uniquely qualified to help clients pursue their goals. http://www.justwhatthedoctorordered.com



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