Brand-only drugs like Restasis, Eliquis and Lyrica can cost well over $500 for a month’s supply, and without cheaper generic alternatives, patients are often forced to either shell out their life savings or give up essential medications. FDA initiatives to expedite the drug review process and prohibit manufacturers from holding market exclusivity for too long…

We share a lot of stories on our blog about how GoodRx helps our users save on their prescription drugs, but discussions about our own savings often take place in our office, too. One of my co-workers had an interesting experience at the pharmacy recently. Here’s his story: I work at GoodRx. Since I am…

Have you ever taken a prescription to the pharmacy counter only to find out that your pharmacist won’t fill it? This scenario happens more often than you might think. From illegible handwriting to a pharmacist’s moral beliefs, you may find yourself having to jump through some hoops to get your prescription filled. Here are four…

Metformin is the first-line oral treatment for type 2 diabetes. It enhances the effects of insulin on the liver and skeletal muscles. That, we know. What we didn’t know until recently is how many benefits we would discover for metformin that aren’t related to diabetes, leading many to wonder if metformin is the Holy Grail….

Clonidine, amiodarone, atorvastatin… Are you taking any of these? If so, you’re in luck. Today, Walmart pharmacy released a new list of drugs they’ve added to their pharmacy savings program, offering a large number of medications at a discounted rate. With the Walmart Rx Program, you can get select generic medications at $4 for a 30-day…

Doctors are commonly asked how to keep from spreading genital herpes from one partner who has it, to another who doesn’t. Did you know that “asymptomatic shedding” of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can happen? This means you can contract HSV even if your partner doesn’t have actual sores on their genitals—but you can take action…

High blood pressure can lead to dangerous conditions like heart attack and stroke, so it’s important to keep it under control. Unfortunately, treatments like brand-only Bystolic (nebivolol) can be expensive—a monthly supply can cost well beyond $150 without insurance. What’s more, some commercial plans require patients to get a prior authorization and/or go through step…

Sixteen years after its US approval in 2002, birth control Essure is slated to be fully discontinued at the end of this year. The permanent birth control device has been plagued with complaints of serious adverse side effects ranging from pelvic pain to perforation of the uterus. Manufacturer Bayer made the announcement earlier this month,…

Can I just change my proton-pump inhibitor? That’s a question patients with acid reflux and heartburn ask me all the time. Whether for insurance purposes, cost, or ease of refilling, can you just switch from one proton-pump inhibitor to another? Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid) are commonly…

Several medications containing the blood pressure and heart failure drug, valsartan, have been recalled due to concerns over contamination. The FDA announced that NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), a possible cancer-causing substance was found in the recalled products. What is valsartan for? Valsartan is a drug prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, and to reduce…