As drug makers are facing increasing scrutiny over high drug prices, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts announces that they will be excluding 48 new drugs from insurance coverage in 2019. If you have insurance, it’s time to pay attention. Every year, PBMs like Express Script evaluate the clinical value and financial cost of prescription…
Brand-Name Drugs Keep Getting More Expensive: GoodRx Monthly Report
Over the past nine months, prices for brand drugs have spiked substantially—by about 30%. According to the GoodRx Index, the average cash price for a 30-day supply of the top 100 brand-name drugs increased from $300 in October to over $400 in July. One of the biggest pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), Express Scripts, just announced…
Nexplanon Pro and Cons: My First-Hand Experience With the Birth Control Implant
When I decided to stop taking birth control pills and switch to a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) about four years ago, the Nexplanon implant seemed like an easy choice. What surprised me at the time, and even now, is that the implant is far less popular than other birth control methods. Now that I’m on…
Marijuana-Derived Medications: FDA-Approved Cannabinoids as of August 2018
Doctors are increasingly faced with questions from patients about marijuana and its medical uses. A common question we hear is, “What’s the difference between the pill forms like Marinol (dronabinol) and medical marijuana?” Let’s start with the fact that dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), nabilone (Cesamet) and cannabidiol (Epidiolex) are medications approved by the FDA. Currently, there…
Constipation From Your Medications: What’s the Best Treatment?
Pain medications like opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major cause of constipation, often creating a bigger struggle than the original illness that led you to start taking them. So, why does medication-induced constipation happen and how do you treat it? Why does constipation happen? Opioids like Vicodin, Norco and Tylenol with codeine and…
Will a Short-Term Insurance Plan Cover My Prescription? Probably Not.
The Trump administration recently issued a rule that allows a new kind of health insurance: short-term plans that offer some healthcare coverage for a lot less money than most other health insurance plans. These short-term plans can now last just under a year, with renewals for up to three years. But that lower price means…
Generic Jardiance Is 5 Years Away (At Least) — Here Are 5 Ways To Save Now
Well-known for treating type 2 diabetes, Jardiance can also reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by 38%—but it’s expensive. A 30-day supply costs well over $500, and many insurance plans won’t cover it. Luckily, there are ways for you to save as much as 100% off the cash price. How much does Jardiance cost?…
Thomas Saved His Vision—and 50% on His Eye Drops—With GoodRx
Thomas, a data analyst in Mesa, Arizona, works on computer screens all day, so his vision is crucial for his work and everyday life (as it is for most people). When he started having eye problems, he found that the prescription eye drops his doctor ordered were unreasonably expensive. Here’s the serendipitous story of how…
Are NSAIDs Like Ibuprofen Bad for My Liver and Kidneys?
It’s logical to wonder if a medication you often take for pain is safe. There are some concerns about the popular over-the-counter pain relievers known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include ibuprofen (a.k.a. Motrin or Advil). Every week, I’m asked: How much can I take, and is it bad for my liver or kidneys?…
Low Milk Supply? 4 Medications That Reduce Breast Milk Production
Being a new mom is hard (trust me, I know—I just had a little guy myself three months ago). While pregnancy might be over, if you decide to breastfeed, it’s important to continue watching what you’re putting in your body. Whether you need to take medications for mastitis, postpartum depression or diabetes, be aware that…