1) Buy generic drugs. Both over-the-counter and prescription generic drugs can cost considerably less than brand-name products. They also have the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts, and are almost always as safe and effective.
Generic drugs that are generally considered to be safe include generic painkillers, congestion/allergy medication, constipation and diarrhea formulas, and antibiotics. Generic drugs considered to be somewhat risky include those for heart and thyroid problems, hormones, blood thinners, and seizure medication. Ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs when they are available.
2) Be sure to take all of your medication. Often times we begin to feel better before we have taken the entire prescription. Many of us then just stop taking our pills. More times than not, whenever a person stops taking medication short of the number of prescribed pills, he or she runs a very high risk of having a relapse. When that happens, you end up spending more money on a refill. The best advice: do exactly as the prescription and your doctor direct.
3) Be aware of drug interaction. There are some drugs that don’t interact well together. Some cancel each other’s effectiveness and others become dangerous when taken together. Taking incompatible drugs at the same time can not only be a waste of money, it can also be dangerous to your health. You can prevent such a problem, and such an expense, by making sure that your doctor(s) and pharmacist(s) know all the drugs you are taking.
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