And then there’s today’s post. Today’s post was about a flub up I made. And maybe it’s something that most people know. Maybe people don’t. But its a flop that I made and while I share my successes, I figure its also worth sharing the mistakes I make so people can be careful not to repeat them.
Recently I switched meds from Cipralex, a very cheap drug, to Cymbalta, a more expensive medicine. When I switched, my psychiatrist told me that there is a generic version of Cymbalta, that is cheaper, and because he knows I like to keep down my costs, recommended that. However, my prescription says Cymbalta on it.
When I went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds, I picked up 3 months in one go, and I must admit, I was a little surprised at how much it cost. At first I said that the pharmacy that I went to, one not run through my health insurance, must be more expensive, even though they told me they had the same prices as the health insurance run ones.
After I walked out the door, I finally realized what had happened. Instead of buying the generic medication, which is just as effective, I bought the name brand. And since I bought for three months in one go, I paid triple amount of the difference.
I hopefully learned my lesson. From now on, when I go to the pharmacy, I will ask if there is a generic version of the medicine available. The other medication I take doesn’t have a generic. But at least I remembered to ask after this pricey mistake.
One of my kids just started on Ritalin LA. I will ask if there is a generic version available locally, that can also make a difference.
I’m one who sees no point in name brands, and yet, with medication, I didn’t think about price comparing and looking for generic versions.
For me, this difference is relatively minor in the grand scheme of things because of the good health insurance I have. But for those of you without health insurance or with large copays for medication, hopefully going generic can save you even more money.
Generic is usually fine for me. I have found that some of the generic psychiatric meds don't work as well for me as the brand name. You may want to monitor how you feel when you go from the brand name to the generic. I hope you do well on the generic, as they are much more affordable.
Generic is usually fine for me. I have found that some of the generic psychiatric meds don't work as well for me as the brand name. You may want to monitor how you feel when you go from the brand name to the generic. I hope you do well on the generic, as they are much more affordable.
Cymbalta is 28 pills to the box…whereas the generic brand is thirty to the box. I've been requesting for three months now the generic and I even explained why to the regular pharmacist in my local pharmacy in my HMO clinic.
When I tried asking the Head Administrative Secretary if she could help, she responded to me w "Are u sure u need all the meds that are prescribed to u?".
She is not my GP nor any GP so where does she come off making such statements like that to me as if she is questioning my medical truths in all of my illnesses…
I prefer to get my prescriptions on a month to month basis as I do live quite close to HMO clinic
Cymbalta is 28 pills to the box…whereas the generic brand is thirty to the box. I've been requesting for three months now the generic and I even explained why to the regular pharmacist in my local pharmacy in my HMO clinic.
When I tried asking the Head Administrative Secretary if she could help, she responded to me w "Are u sure u need all the meds that are prescribed to u?".
She is not my GP nor any GP so where does she come off making such statements like that to me as if she is questioning my medical truths in all of my illnesses…
I prefer to get my prescriptions on a month to month basis as I do live quite close to HMO clinic
It's so frustrating to realize a mistake like that after it's too late to change it.
It's so frustrating to realize a mistake like that after it's too late to change it.
Sorry to hear about your mistake. I'm not on any prescribed medications, just take some supplements like D3 since I work at night and don't get to see the sun much.
Sorry to hear about your mistake. I'm not on any prescribed medications, just take some supplements like D3 since I work at night and don't get to see the sun much.