Has your doctor ever warned you about taking statins with grapefruits? It may seem like a strange association, but certain statins like Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin) that are used to lower cholesterol levels can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice and cause harmful side effects. How do statins interact with grapefruit? Statins are broken…
Can Levaquin cause nerve damage? — Side Effects of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that include levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, and all carry a small risk of nerve damage. You may have seen the warning — the FDA requires that all fluoroquinolone antibiotics come with a label that alerts patients to the risk of permanent peripheral neuropathy. Too often, anti-bacterial medications like…
Prices for Smoking Cessation Drug Chantix Increase by 106% in Just Five Years
Prices for Chantix, the prescription drug used to help people quit smoking, have increased by 106% over the past five years. According to an analysis of GoodRx data, a 30-day supply of Chantix now costs around $485, whereas in 2013, people would have been able get that same prescription for around $236. The cash price…
These 7 Medications Can Prevent You From Donating Blood
Blood transfusions can be a risky business. The goal of transfusion medicine is to minimize any risks to a patient receiving outside blood — blood types have to match and there can’t be any substances in the blood that would cause the patient to have a dangerous reaction. It surprises many folks to hear that…
Which Allergy Nasal Sprays are Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
Nasal allergy sprays treat stuffy noses and itchy eyes related to allergies. If you’re pregnant though, you may wonder if they’re safe to use. Recent studies have shown us that nasal steroid sprays are safe to use during pregnancy for mild to moderate allergy symptoms. However, not all nasal sprays are safe during pregnancy. Here’s what you need…
Prescription Quantity Limits: What to Do When Insurance Plans Limit Your Coverage
As with other forms of coverage restrictions, insurance plans use quantity limits to ensure patient safety and control healthcare costs. Quantity limits define how much of a drug you can fill during a specific time period, but they can be a hassle. Here’s how to navigate your plan’s policies, so you can still get the…
Generic Restasis Coming Soon. Here’s How to Save Now.
Dry eyes can be a debilitating chronic condition, especially in older adults, but as we see with the brand-name drug, Restasis, treatments can be expensive. A monthly supply of Restasis can cost well over $600. What’s more, almost 50% of all commercial insurance plans require patients to get a prior authorization and/or go through step…
What’s the Best Treatment for Acid Reflux? Antacids vs. H2 Blockers vs. Proton-Pump Inhibitors
Medications for acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) come in three flavors: H2 blockers, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), and antacids. They all work differently and are geared towards either prevention or quick relief. If you’re struggling with reflux and want to start treating the symptoms yourself, here’s what you need to know: H2 blockers…
Too Good to be True? How an Army Vet Saved 90% on His Medications
One of the things we get a lot from our users is that they’re pretty skeptical when they first hear about GoodRx. In addition to gathering and listing prescription drug prices from US pharmacies so people can easily compare costs, GoodRx also publishes coupon prices that can be substantially lower than co-pays and retail prices….
The 3 Most Common Causes of Drug Allergies — and How Treat Them
Has your doctor ever asked if you’re allergic to any drugs? Luckily for most people, medicine allergies are not that common. But for the few who do have them, allergic reactions can be extremely dangerous. Here’s what you need to know about drug allergies before you start a new medication. What are drug allergies? When…