Member Tips
How Much Could You Save With Generics?
This chart compares commonly prescribed brand-name drugs and their less expensive generic counterparts or therapeutic alternatives. Generic counterparts have the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts, while generic therapeutic alternatives (shown in parentheses in the chart below) are chemically different than their brand-name counterparts but provide similar therapeutic effects. Both types of generic drugs generally offer a less expensive treatment option while providing the same safety and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts. Generic drugs, like brand-name drugs, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
For the most up-to-date prescription drug cost and savings information specific to your plan's benefits, log on to mymedica.com and select "Pharmacies & Prescriptions," then "Price a Medication."
This easy-to-use lookup tool provides:
- Out-of-pocket estimates for prescription drugs based on your specific benefits
- A cost comparison of the various ways a prescription can be filled: at a retail pharmacy (for either a 30- or 90-day supply) or mail order (for a 90-day supply)
- An at-a-glance look at your lowest cost option
- Price estimates for generic alternatives for many popular brand-name drugs
- Information about any restrictions or requirements for a particular medication (e.g., quantity limit, prior authorization, etc.)
| Therapeutic Use | Brand-Name Drug Name | Approx. Cost for 30-Day Supply* | Generic Drug Name or (Generic Therapeutic Alternative) | Approx. Cost for 30-Day Supply* | Generic Savings |
|---|
Allergies, rhinitis | Flonase®
nasal spray | $80.52 | fluticasone
nasal spray | $23.41 | $57.11 |
Antibiotic | Levaquin®
500 mg | $529.08 | levofloxacin
500 mg | $16.43 | $512.65 |
Cholesterol | Lopid®
600 mg | $162.08 | gemfibrozil
600 mg | $12.33 | $149.75 |
Cholesterol | Lipitor®
20 mg | $160.60 | (simvastatin)
40 mg | $3.63 | $156.97 |
Contraceptive | Yaz®
| $82.56 | Gianvi®
| $54.76 | $27.80 |
Depression | Celexa®
20 mg | $115.02 | citalopram
20 mg | $3.30 | $117.72 |
Depression | Pristiq®
50 mg | $134.49 | (venlafaxine ER)
75 mg | $15.45 | $119.04 |
Diabetes | Januvia®
50 mg | $223.46 | (metformin)
1,000 mg | $4.71 | $218.75 |
High blood pressure | Benicar®
20 mg | $86.57 | (losartan)
50 mg | $4.53 | $82.04 |
High blood pressure | Tenormin®
50 mg | $50.75 | atenolol
50 mg | $2.73 | $48.02 |
Insomnia | Ambien®
10 mg | $184.33 | zolpidem
10 mg | $3.21 | $181.12 |
Nausea | Zofran®
4 mg | $2,075.97 | ondansetron
4 mg | $32.97 | $2,043.00 |
Pain and inflammation | Celebrex®
100 mg | $154.85 | (meloxicam)
7.5 mg | $2.69 | $152.16 |
* Cost estimates are based on information from Medica's pharmacy benefit manager using Medica's general commercial plans formulary and pay structure as of December 2011.
Please note: Prices at non-participating pharmacies may be higher. The actual price you pay is determined by your pharmacy benefit plan. Log on to mymedica.com to see information specific to your plan.
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