Chronic Living Blog

Or shots… or cream… or whatever treatment you have been prescribed.

Easier said than done, sometimes. You went to the doctor and they added something else to the long list of things you have to take. This one has a commercial on TV, so you know it’s going to be expensive.

It can be tempting to skip it to save money, or the bother of another pill. Your doctor chose that one for a reason based on your history, symptoms, and how your other medicine has worked for you.

Instead of skipping it, start out by talking to your doctor about it. Learn why that one is the best for your needs and any alternatives that might work.

Ask about side effects and what to do about them. Your medicine is supposed to do something, but what does too much look like? Or too little?

See if your provider can order it in a way that saves you money, like generic or a 90 day supply.

Once you confirm the medication is the best one for you, time to go shopping! Drugs are a product and their price varies by store. They often have coupons to bring your co-pay down.

Look it up on GoodRX.com to get a list of prices and coupons. You can also contact your local pharmacies for prices. Scroll to the bottom of the page for any manufacturer coupons of your chosen medicine.

Be sure to add it to your medication list that you bring to every visit. You can print out a free form on the Printables page.