The stress of being in between jobs can get exponentially worse once you realize your health is also at stake. Norma, who lost her job a couple of months ago, says she can’t afford to go without her migraine medication—but she also literally can’t afford them without health insurance. Here’s how GoodRx helps her make…

If you’re filling Humira for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease every month, you’ve likely experienced some sticker shock at the pharmacy. The average cash price for a 30-day supply of Humira is over $5,500, and prices only continue to increase. In fact, the price for Humira has nearly doubled since 2014. Not good. So when…

Potassium chloride and potassium citrate have similar names, so they should treat the same conditions, right? Not quite. While they are both supplements that contain potassium, the two actually have different uses, side effects and dosages, and cannot be substituted for each other. First, what is potassium chloride? Potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia,…

Comparing long-acting insulins? Tresiba may come out ahead. With the exception of NPH insulins like Humulin N and Novolin N (which are now considered to be intermediate acting), they are all going to cost you. So, if you are already paying big bucks for your long-acting insulin, here are some things to think about. What is…

Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly taken psychotropic drugs, often used for anxiety. Prolonged use of them is a widespread phenomenon in medical practice, yet it may surprise you to know that these medications are really only meant to be used short term. Both alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) are considered short-acting benzodiazepines and…

In response to the current EpiPen shortage, Walgreens has announced that their pharmacies will be stocking an alternative epinephrine auto-injector, Auvi-Q, in case EpiPen supplies run out. Filling an EpiPen prescription with Auvi-Q will come at no cost for commercially insured patients. EpiPen has been in short supply since the beginning of the summer due…

If you’re having trouble affording your insulin, you’re not alone. Research has shown that expenses for diabetes can reach well beyond $1,000 a month, leaving many who cannot afford this cost without care. In response to the ever-climbing prices of insulin, manufacturer Eli Lilly created the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center, a helpline aimed at finding personalized…

Cold and flu season is just around the corner. The common cold, often caused by rhinoviruses, is the most common human illness and comes with generally mild symptoms. The flu, caused by the influenza virus, can have more complicated symptoms. Both are contagious. So, what can you do to not get sick? That’s a question…

“Can I just stop my medication?” This question, frequently asked of primary care doctors, has a complicated answer. For starters, if you are taking a medication that is controlling an ongoing medical problem like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, you should never stop it on your own—or your problem will return. Many patients…

Smoke from more than 50 massive wildfires across the Western United States is spreading, causing smoky skies, breathing challenges, and high prescription fill rates for asthma medications—even for cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast. According to a nationally representative sample of prescriptions, fills for asthma medications this July and August were more…