New prescription? Changing to generic?

[ICNDonna]

I have a suggestion for anyone trying a new presciption or changing from brand name to generic:

Ask your pharmacist to fill a one week supply. You can go back at the end of the week to fill the remainder of the prescription. That way, if you have an adverse reaction to the new medication --- or if the generic just isn't working as well, you don't have the expense, or the discomfort for a lengthy period.

Donna

[Katrina]

That is good advise....many, many, times I have filled presciption I thought I would like but ended up having problems and felt the waste of a large amount of money. That is why we hardly ever fill for 3 month supplies anymore because that is a even larger loss if we make a change.

There have been times when just changing to Generic didn't release in my body the same so I would have difficulties. (Now with that eventually my body would get used to the different release and the problems would end but if the problem was a seizure it is a big problem)

Thanks Donna!

[SandyRN]

Thats a good idea Donna. The only problem I can see with it is if anyone has drug coverage like I do, you get charged the same copay if you fill the whole thing, or get part of it...then you wind up paying the same copay twice.

I know this doesnt happen to everyone, just the ones with my insurance :(

[dyno]

Sandy, why couldn't you ask for just a week script first and see how it works and then get the 90 day supply script?

[ICNDonna]

Sometimes the co-pay has to be made even if it's for just a week supply, but the up side is that if you try a generic pain med and it doesn't work, at least you're only stuck without pain control for only a week.

Donna

[Dixiefireball]

I know when they came out with the off brand perocets there not as strong and i have to take two of them to do the job of one, but the down side to this is my inc. refuses to pay for the brand name they will only pay for the offbrand.
Plus with perocets if paying full price for them (which is out of this world high) it would cancel out the rest of the RX due to the fact its a control sub. number two instead of a one.

but for all the others medicines I think that that is a great idea. Just be careful that if you get part of your medicine filled its not a control sub. number two or it will cancel the rest of the RX out and you would have to go back to the Dr. to get another RX.
Just be careful with your pain medicine and make sure you know what control they are.
sending best wishes
Rhonda

[SandyRN]

When it comes to RX's for Oxycontin, etc, they wont let me partially fill it, then fill the rest of it at a later time. It's the law here in NC. I dont know why I couldnt get the week's rx for a week's cost, but thats how the company works. I'm not real happy about it. At least even working once a week with my new job I'll have extra drug coverage that I hope will help me out.

Sandy

[judyw]

Have they come out with generic Actiq suckers or the generic name Fentanyl suckers yet?
Thanks

[mary124]

This would be a great idea, but with my insurance, I would have to pay the same co-pay either way. What I try to do is ask for samples from the doctors office.

[judyw]

Hi Mary 124 , How many of the suckers are they able to give you when giving you samples? I was on several a day at the time but now i think i could get by with just using them once in awhile since he put me on the methadone.
Thanks for your idea though and i will ask my dr about it.

[mary124]

I guess depending on what doctor I go to, sometimes I get a whole week, others more. I know my cardio doctor has given me a month at a time, all I have to do is ask.

[rhea]

Some pharmacies will refund $$ if your doc changes your script within 5 days if you brig the meds back in. I have done this in the past.