Ivan,
I just published an article about meds which you can take anything you want from
it. I'll copy it here and if you want anything from it formatted, email me and
I'll attach it so you don't have to re-do.
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SAVINGS ON DRUGS
Medication costs can take a big bite out of your pocketbook. An estimated 80
percent of retirees use a prescription drug every day. About 30 percent of
seniors do not have any kind of drug coverage at a time in their lives when it's
most needed.
Although it's not widely publicized, the pharmaceutical companies have programs
to help people who can't afford their prescriptions. Some programs allow you to
prepare the information, while others may require a physician or social worker.
These programs generally cover name brand name medications rather than generics.
GlaxoSmithKline (makers of Requip, Paxil, Wellbutrin and other drugs) offers a
new Orange Card program to assist low-income seniors. If you are one of 11
million seniors age 65 and older, who have no prescription coverage, or you are
disabled and enrolled in Medicare with an annual income at or below 300% of the
federal poverty level (annual income at or below $26,000 single or $35,000 for a
couple) and lack public or private prescription drug coverage, you could realize
an average savings of 30% and possibly even 40% or more off the usual price paid
for outpatient GSK medicines. To find out if you are eligible for the Orange
Card program and to get your application, call this toll-free number:
1-888-672-6436.
The Pfizer Share Card offers a 30-day supply of Pfizer medicines, including
drugs for conditions that are often left untreated by the elderly like diabetes,
high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, high cholesterol and depression. Call
1-800-717-6005 or check www.pfizerforliving.com.
The Novartis CareCard provides a 25% discount off the wholesale list price of
drugs that Novartis manufactures, including those that treat high blood
pressure, Alzheimer's, high cholesterol and osteoporosis. Call 1-866-974-2273 or
go to www.NovartiscarePlan.com.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is offering a
new online database that will help patients without prescription drug coverage
access user friendly information about more than 1,400 medicines offered free
through patient assistance programs sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry and
others. To do your own research, go to http://www.helpingpatients.org. You can
also call their hotline (1-800-762-4636) and ask for the Directory of
Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs.
(continued on next page)
Your doctor can help you apply for these programs, with conventional forms or at
www. rxhope.com, an industry-funded site that lets your doctor fill out
applications online for instant approval.
Other websites you might want to check: www.needymeds.com, www.aarppharmacy.com,
www. destinationrx.com and the Together Rx Plan (1-800-865-7211)
www.together-rx.com.
There are also services that can handle the legwork for you. For $5, The
Medicine Program (573-996-7300) www.themedicineprogram.com will investigate the
drug-company programs and send you a completed application form to be signed by
a doctor. At www.medicaldiscounts.com (800-771-3325) you can get the same
service for $7.
You needn’t face the dilemma of whether to buy food or medication. HAPS
Director of Social Services, Kathleen Crist, LMSW, can also help you with
additional information or assistance if you don’t have access to the internet.
Call 713-626-7114.
HOW TO CUT MEDICATION COSTS
* CALL AROUND TO CHECK FOR THE LOWEST PRICE AND ASK YOUR REGULAR PHARMACIST IF
HE OR SHE CAN MATCH THE PRICE.
* DON’T BUY A WHOLE BOTTLE OF A NEW PRESCRIPTION. ASK FOR A FEW PILLS FIRST TO
TEST FOR SIDE EFFECTS.
* FOR ONGOING CONDITIONS, IF YOU KNOW YOU TOLERATE THE DRUG AND WILL USE IT
BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE, IT’S LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUY IN LARGE QUANTITIES.
* ASK FOR A SENIOR DISCOUNT.
* BUY THE STORE-BRAND OF OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS.
* ASK FOR FREE DRUG SAMPLES FROM YOUR DOCTOR.
* CHECK WITH AARP OR MAIL ORDER FOR PRICE DISCOUNTS.
* ASK FOR A GENERIC EQUIVALENT.
GENERICS
Although economical, it is important to know that generics are not exactly like
brand-name drugs and may work differently in your body. A generic only needs to
show that your body uses its active ingredient in a manner that is similar to,
but not exactly like, the brand-name medicine.
The FDA allows manufacturers to vary the content of their products within a
range of 80-125% of the original formulation. This means it is at least
theoretically possible for a refill from a different generic manufacturer to be
5% stronger or 33% weaker than the original prescription. The speed at which
the drug works in the body is also allowed to differ from the original medicine
by up to 40%. Therefore, there may be a potential problem if your pharmacy
switches from one generic formulation to another. Needless to say, you should
discuss with your physician whether a generic is right for you.
Since Parkinson’s patients often take more than one medicine, it is also
important to make sure each one works properly and does not negatively interact
with the others as this may have serious consequences.
AVOID DISASTROUS DRUG INTERACTIONS
Many of us take multiple drugs to control our symptoms, which makes us
particularly vulnerable to the possibility of drug interactions. Doctors are
supposed to warn us about mixing certain drugs, but that doesn’t always happen.
You should not only be concerned about mixing prescription medications, but
mixing over the counter drugs and even certain medicines with food and vitamins
can create potential problems, as well. Some of this may sound familiar but
it’s important information.
FOOD
Researchers have found that grapefruit or grapefruit juice top a list of
everyday foods that can cause side effects, possibly even life threatening, when
taken together with certain medications.
Never drink grapefruit juice less than two hours before or five hours after
taking heart drugs called calcium channel blockers, like Procardia. The mix
sometimes kills.
Grapefruit juice taken with cyclosporin, which fights organ rejection in
transplant recipients, can cause confusion and trembling.
Grapefruit juice can cause serious heart problems if taken with antihistamines,
either prescription versions such as Claritin and Allegra or over-the-counter
types such as Benadryl.
Don't overload on bananas or take potassium supplements with heart drugs called
ACE inhibitors, such as Capoten and Vasotec. It can cause harmful potassium
buildup.
A high coffee and caffeine intake has been associated with a significantly lower
incidence of Parkinson disease. Drinking coffee or colas with certain
antibiotics such as Cipro or the ulcer drugs Tagamet, Zantac and Pepcid can
increase caffeine levels, causing the jitters and stomach irritation. Too much
caffeine also increases the dose of theophylline, a bronchodilator, causing
nausea, palpitations or seizures.
High doses of Vitamin E thin blood. If taken by heart patients on the popular
blood thinner Coumadin, the mix increases the risk of serious bleeding.
Coumadin users also shouldn't splurge on foods high in Vitamin K, like broccoli,
spinach and turnip greens, which reduce the drug's effectiveness.
Antidepressants called MAO inhibitors can cause a potentially fatal blood
pressure rise when taken with foods high in the chemical tyramine, such as
cheese and sausage. (This does not apply to selegiline.)
OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS
Be careful about the overuse of over-the-counter drugs. As people age, they
metabolize drugs more slowly, which can result in a buildup of toxic doses.
Pharmacists are trained to know drug interactions and can help you make informed
decisions. But you have to ask!
Research has shown that sleeping pills are ineffective in combating insomnia and
can actually interfere with natural sleep and dream patterns.
Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Motrin, Aleve) can cause
gastrointestinal problems.
If you use laxatives repeatedly, normal bowel function can be impaired and can
lead to chronic constipation.
INTERACTIONS WITH PARKINSON MEDICATIONS
The majority of medications prescribed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease
are compatible with other prescription drugs. However, there are a few
medications that may alter the action of Sinemet or its generic
carbidopa-levodopa. Some of the antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants are
known to worsen Parkinsonian symptoms. If any of the following brand name drugs
have been prescribed, discuss the possibility of drug incompatibility with your
physician. Also be sure you have this list if you go into the hospital.
Haldol
Trilafon
Treavil
Stelazine
Prolixin
Permitil
Navane
Moban
Mellaril
Thorazine
Loxitane
Serpasil
Ser-Ap-Es Diutensin Diupres
Salutensin
Pavabid
Compazine
Reglan
Torecan
Aldomet
Lithobid
Taractan
Nardil
Parnate
Raudixin
Rauverid
Wolfina
Harmonyl
Moderil
Rauwiloid
Dilantin
Buspar
Demerol
Demi-Regroton
Certain rare side effects have been described between Eldepryl (selegiline) and
Elavil, Paxil, Prozac, Demerol and Zoloft.
Mixing decongestants such as Sudafed with levodopa could cause arrhythmias in
someone with cardiac problems.
Both antacids (e.g. Tums, Rolaids) and H-2 blockers (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid)
may increase the effects of levodopa because it empties the stomach faster,
which in turn could cause dyskinesias. If you take Artane or Cogentin the
increased effect you get from an antihistamine such as Benadryl could be toxic.
Keep in mind that this is not a complete listing, by any means. For $2 you can
order a copy of "Food & Drug Interactions," by calling 1-800-639-8140 or go to
http://www.nclnet.org/fooddruord.html on the web.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
* Read all directions, warnings and precautions. Don’t put medications in
food. It can alter the drug’s ingredients or possibly destroy the timed-release
mechanism.
* Don’t mix medicine into hot beverages. Heat can destroy or alter drug
ingredients.
* Avoid alcohol, which can accentuate or reduce a drug’s effects.
* Don’t take a vitamin and mineral supplement with your medication.
* Take medications with water on an empty stomach unless otherwise advised by
your doctor or pharmacist.
If your medications cause any side effects to occur, such as unusual weakness,
staggering, tremors, blurred vision, hostility, restlessness, excitability
lightheaded, confusion, depression, hallucinations, slurred speech, upset
stomach, diarrhea, memory loss, do not discontinue or reduce the dosage on your
own, but do speak with your doctor as soon as possible. It’s your life and it’s
up to you to educate yourself and, perhaps, your health professionals as well.
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