Get Answers On Medications

February 22, 2019

Do you wake up in the middle of the night feeling as if your lower legs are paralyzed and cramped? Do your lower leg muscles feel as if they are hard to the touch and tight? If you experience these symptoms, you may have nocturnal leg cramps.

February 13, 2019

Are Canadian medications legit? How are medications approved in Canada? Is it legal to buy prescription medications from Canada? The answers could surprise you.

December 27, 2018

In such a competitive cholesterol treatment market, manufacturers have been forced to make drastic cuts to their medication costs. Amgen lowered its product by 60%, followed by a 45-70% reduction from Regeneron. The price reductions occurred in response to the national consumer’s options to trial a multitude of more affordable options for cholesterol management, based on their clinical goals.

December 21, 2018

With flu season upon us, make sure you pencil in a date to get your flu shot. You may wonder why this is so important, and why your healthcare providers are always asking whether you received it. Influenza (the flu) is a huge threat to public health. It has been shown that around 5 to 20 percent of the United States population get the flu during flu season.

December 04, 2018

More Americans live with obesity than breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and HIV all together. The medical community has been aware of the rising epidemic for many years, yet its response has not been effective at addressing the problem.

November 30, 2018

After the much anticipated release of the 2016 Gallup poll, which had Americans assign a rating of honesty and ethical standards in professions, Pharmacists found themselves in a top-three ranking for the 14th straight year.1 In last year’s poll however, it seems the general public’s opinion of pharmacists had shifted slightly. With increased news coverage and scrutiny over rising drug prices, it seemed harder for patients to be able to separate the practices of big pharmaceutical companies with the copay price that the pharmacists were asking for at the drug counter.

November 13, 2018

Roughly 415 million people across the world are affected with this disease. If you have diabetes, you should consider several things, such as lifestyle, medication adherence, and check-ups with your healthcare provider. These are important to make sure that your diabetes is controlled and doesn’t lead to a deterioration in your overall health.

October 18, 2018

Nearly 20% of Americans have self reported an allergy to a medication and roughly 4% of the nation suffers from some form of food allergy. While it would seem obvious to avoid something if you’re allergic to it, you’d first have to know you’re allergic. When it comes to medications this can be challenging. 

October 16, 2018

Insulin plays an important role in managing patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Patients with Type 1 DM have limited ability to produce endogenous insulin due to their pancreas’s inability to properly function. Patients with Type 2 DM can also have increased dependence on insulin therapy use as their disease state progresses.

September 26, 2018

Morning sickness or nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) occurs in 70-80% of pregnant women.  In the United States, roughly 4 million women are affected each year. 

September 12, 2018

With flu season right around the corner, what better time to talk about vaccines than right now?  We talk and hear about vaccines a lot, but what exactly is a vaccine, and which vaccine is right for you?

September 05, 2018

You may be wondering, “Why do I need iodine in my salt or other food?” Iodine is an essential element our bodies need that we cannot produce on our own, and therefore need to get it from food sources. Iodine is needed to produce the thyroid hormone, which is important for bodily functions related to metabolism…

August 07, 2018

In the United States, more than 263 million prescriptions are dispensed each year for pediatric patients. Chances are, your child may need to take their medications at school. If your child has a medication that they need to take during school hours, whether it is a long-term, short-term, or emergency medication, here are some helpful tips:

July 02, 2018

There are currently over 250 Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) companies providing services to analyze saliva samples and create customized reports on what your genetic information says about you.

June 05, 2018

Seasonal allergies affect anywhere between 10-30% of people worldwide. Allergies to one or more common allergens are reaching upwards of 40-50% in school children. Allergies occur due to an immune response to something the body considers “foreign,” in other words, strange or unfamiliar.

May 21, 2018

Walmart issued a press release to announce the pending introduction (within 60 days) of new restrictions on how it will fill prescriptions for opioid medications. These new initiatives will apply to all Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies and pharmacists in the United States and Puerto Rico.

May 09, 2018

Nearly one-quarter of all U.S. deaths in 2016 we­­­re linked to heart disease, which refers to conditions involved in narrowing or blocking blood vessels, potentially leading to things like heart attack, chest pain, or stroke.

April 10, 2018

It’s likely you’ve heard about shingles, or may even know someone who has had the painful rash, but what exactly is shingles, and how can you prevent it? The varicella-zoster virus (VSV) causes two distinct forms of infection, chickenpox and shingles. It’s important to recognize how you can contract this virus and what you can do to protect against it.

April 03, 2018

Health mishaps happen. Whether it’s a twisted ankle on the stairs or something as serious as chest pains, having the appropriate medical supplies on hand help you stay prepared.

March 29, 2018

Each year, millions of Americans, who may otherwise feel fine, are diagnosed with Osteoporosis. Developing osteoporosis puts people at higher risk for fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists. Women are at much higher risk, with 10 percent of women age 50 and older affected by osteoporosis, compared with just two percent of men that age.

February 15, 2018

During asthma attacks, the walls inside of the airway become sore, swollen, and red and produce mucus, making it harder to breathe. The airway tubes become very sensitive when they are inflamed and may react strongly to allergens. Air movement in and out of the lungs is constricted when inflammation is present, resulting in shortness of breath.

February 02, 2018

Sleep is a precious commodity that everyone needs to function. Individual sleep needs are different; some people need a few extra hours while others need less. Some people are light sleepers, while others “sleep like logs.

January 16, 2018

A general consensus estimates that approximately one-third of adults experience insomnia. Characteristic symptoms include: difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, waking up too early, and/or poor quality of sleep.

January 05, 2018

Dull, aching pain throughout your entire body. Trouble sleeping. Irritable mood. What could possibly be going on? Is it just in your head? Does anyone else feel like this? Well, if you experience some of these symptoms, one potential cause could be fibromyalgia, which affects the lives of almost 4 million Americans.

December 19, 2017

When heading out on vacation, medications are likely the last thing on your mind. Between booking a flight, making sure you have your passport, or packing last minute luggage, medications can be easy to forget. However, if you take medications regularly, they should be one of the first things you should be thinking about.

December 05, 2017

If your doctor has prescribed a statin medication to lower your cholesterol, you may have heard or read about the potential side effects of statin drugs, and their impact on liver function.

November 21, 2017

As with most things, when it comes selecting a drug regimen for the treatment of chronic disease, one size does not fit all. If you take medications, you may have wondered why that is the case. One reason is because of pharmacogenomics.

November 13, 2017

Across the United States, the rate of antidepressant use in children is rising. It has led to prescription costs exceeding $100,000 in the four states with the highest antidepressant prescription rates for children.

November 01, 2017

The pharmacy assistant was typing away at her monitor when she paused and looked up at me to ask “You are aware of the cost of this medication?” with a note of apology in her voice. I sighed and responded that unfortunately, I was and that yes, I still needed the prescription filled.

October 23, 2017

For many people, dry eyes may only be a minor inconvenience. But for those who experience chronic dry eyes, it can be a major problem, causing extreme discomfort. Left untreated, dry eye can have long term effects on your vision as well as your quality of life.

September 08, 2017

Ready, a public service campaign designed to educate and empower citizens to prepare for emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters, proclaims September to be National Preparedness Month (NPM). In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, you may be wondering how to go about preparing for such events. This is especially important to consider if you have a chronic disease or condition.

August 29, 2017

It’s one of the most common questions we hear at ScriptSave: “Why are prescription medications so expensive?” With insurance deductibles going up, and insurance co-pays shrinking, drug prices are outpacing the inflation rate. So why do drug companies continue to charge exorbitant prices for medications?

August 22, 2017

The causes of non-adherence, when a patient either accidentally or knowingly does not take medications as prescribed, can be complex. Non-adherence is often the result of cost; patients who simply can’t afford their medications. However, good habits and a good understanding of the medication can also be a big part of adherence, and can help you stick to your medication schedule.

July 24, 2017

There are a number of mental conditions that shape mood and behavior. Any condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood, falls into a medical classification of Behavioral Health.  Such conditions may affect someone’s ability to relate to others, or maintain reasonable function every day. Each person may have different experiences, even if they have the same diagnosis as someone else.

July 06, 2017

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly 1 in every 3 adults in the United States. Hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer,”  because for the most part, hypertension doesn’t have any warning signs or symptoms. You might not even know you have it. If left untreated, hypertension increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So when is high blood pressure too high?

May 24, 2017

Some studies have given vitamin D supplements to statin users experiencing muscle pain. While these studies were uncontrolled, they did show improvement in muscle pain in nearly 90% of patients.

April 11, 2017

Heliobacter pylori is a bacteria highly prevalent worldwide and is closely linked to duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and peptic ulcer disease. It is also linked to an increased risk of developing gastric cancer in an infected person. Despite being more common in developing countries with poor socioeconomic conditions, the American College of Gastroenterology states that 30-40% of the U.S. population is infected with H. pylori, putting them at risk for conditions such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer.

March 29, 2017

Many people take aspirin occasionally to provide relief from various conditions (e.g. pain, inflammation, fever, headaches), but what about taking a low-dose aspirin every day for prevention reasons? As with all medications, aspirin poses various benefits and risks that need to be taken into consideration before you start taking it. Certain individuals would benefit the most from taking a low-dose aspirin and others shouldn’t take it at all.

March 15, 2017

Sound-Alike/Look-Alike Medications are very important to identify and help reduce medication errors. There are several medications starting with the letter “T” that have become available to treat diabetes. This may lead to confusion among patients and physicians, so it’s important YOU understand how to safely recognize and use your diabetes medication.

March 09, 2017

According to a recent study, 43 percent of adults with health insurance report problems affording their deductible, and 29 percent say they have difficulty paying medical bills. Among those citing trouble paying their medical bills, more than 70 percent have cut back on vacations, spending on food, clothing or basic household items.

March 01, 2017

Always ask, “What’s the Ca$h Price?”
Always show your ScriptSave WellRx card
The ScriptSave® WellRx Facebook page sees a lot of interaction…and we love getting questions. By far the most common questions and comments are those related to insurance.
“Can I use ScriptSave WellRx with my insurance?”
“How does it work if it’s not insurance?”
“I have insurance, so your card isn’t for me.”
For the record, not only is that last one a misconception, it’s also a fast-track to over-paying for your meds (and it’s the starting point for this blog post).

February 27, 2017

What a time to be a person with diabetes! These days there are more medications on the market than ever to help you control your diabetes. But how do you know which medication is right for you?
Of course you should always consult your physician or your local pharmacist for medical advice. However, here is some information about these new medications so that you don’t feel out of the loop.
Some of the current insulin medications that you are used to are Lantus, Humalog, and NovoLog. These medications deliver the hormone insulin to your blood so that insulin can tell your cells to take in more glucose. This keeps your blood sugar down.

February 21, 2017

February has been designated as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it — both at home and in the community. It’s a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health.

February 14, 2017

The beginning of the New Year is often the time to set new goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. It’s an exciting time to start new resolutions that will help you succeed in the coming year. One of the most common New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight and stay healthy.

January 24, 2017

Confusion, weakness, anxiety or irritability, a general sense of confusion — these are signs of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. It often happens when diabetics take too much insulin.
Hypoglycemia happens to many people with diabetes, and it can be serious or even fatal.
Severe hypoglycemic episode, also referred to as insulin shock, can occur when the body has too much insulin that can lead to low blood sugar levels.

January 18, 2017

The Affordable Care Act required insurance companies provide women with access to preventive services—which, includes everything from mammograms to cervical cancer screening, and includes birth control—with no cost-sharing. Under the ACA, this meant women did not have to pay up to $60 a month for the Pill or hundreds of dollars for an IUD.
Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that since 2012, there’s been a drop in what we’ve spent on retail drugs. Oral contraceptive pills account for 63 percent of that drop. In other words, prescription savings on the Pill totals more than half of all the money saved on drugs since the ACA was established.

January 17, 2017

The Congressional Budget Office has analyzed the effects of healthcare repeal, and estimates 22 million Americans will lose health coverage if a repeal plan, like the one passed in 2015 by Congress, were to become law.
With the loss of insurance coverage, many patients will no longer be able to afford the prescription medicines they need to stay healthy. Medicare and Medicaid enrollees may also see the stresses of change with possible increases in premiums and deductibles. ScriptSave® WellRx can help.

January 11, 2017

The US supplement industry is a $30 billion dollar business. The Council for Responsible Nutrition estimates that almost 70% of US adults use dietary supplements. The FDA is the administration that regulates the approval and use of prescription medication. What this means is that on a prescription bottle labeled with a specific amount of ingredients, you can be certain that the actual amount in a given tablet, capsule, cream, suppository, solution, etc. is between about 95% and 105% of what the label actually states.

December 20, 2016

A brand name medication is the original product developed and researched by the manufacturing drug company. Before a new medication can go on the market, the drug company has to put it through rigorous testing to prove that the drug is effective and safe for human use. This can be a long and expensive process. Some drugs are in testing for years or even decades before getting approved.

December 13, 2016

Why do I need a statin? Why are there so many with different names? Why did my doctor prescribe this brand name statin I can’t afford? What are the risks, side effects, and benefits of this medication? Why are they talking about cola-colored urine? If you’re like most people, you have thought of these questions leaving your doctor’s office or pharmacy and might have forgotten to ask. You’re in the right place.

December 07, 2016

Are you spending too much on your prescription medications? It’s staggering, we get it. There are a lot of companies in the discount prescription space, so who do you trust? How do prescription saving cards work? We hope this will help explain how it works and how you can save on your medications.

November 21, 2016

If you’re over 40, your doctor may talk with you about adding a statin to prevent heart disease. Statins (like Crestor, Zocor and Lipitor) are a class of medications that lower cholesterol levels. The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government-backed group that establishes health recommendations, is now suggesting that statins be used for the primary prevention of heart disease in adults. This means that statins can be used to prevent strokes or heart attacks, even if you have never had one in the past.

November 15, 2016

If you struggle with arthritis pain, chances are you’ve tried a variety of anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief. While drugs falling into the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory category (NSAIDs) can help, they often come with gastrointestinal side effects. A major 10-year study has shown that Celebrex (generic name, Celecoxib) may not have the same side effects of […]

November 11, 2016

Pharmacogenomics is a form of personalized medicine where “one size does not fit all.” By using your personal genetic makeup, it may be possible to see how well you respond to a medication and then make adjustments to your medication regimen as needed. Utilizing this method takes out the guess work where prescribers may try multiple medications before finding one that works best for the patient.

October 25, 2016

Common cold got you down? Are you sneezing and blowing your nose day and night? Are your coworkers and family sick, and now it seems like it is finally your turn? You might be thinking of going to the clinic for azithromycin (Z-Pak) to cure your ills, but that might not be such a good idea.

October 17, 2016

ScriptSave WellRx, a prescription savings and adherence program that provides up to an 80% discount on both generic and name brand prescription medications and an innovative “Ask a Pharmacist” feature, was recently showcased on The Balancing Act morning show airing on Lifetime®.
Shawn Ohri, Director of WellRx Product Development, and ScriptSave Vice President Jerry Parker provide valuable information and highlight the benefits, attributes, and future developments of ScriptSave WellRx.

September 28, 2016

Unlike IBD, IBS isn’t classified as a true disease. Instead it’s known as a “functional disorder.” This means that the symptoms don’t have an identifiable cause. Contrary to popular belief, IBS isn’t a psychological condition. IBS has physical symptoms, but there is no known cause.

September 26, 2016

Taking your medications as prescribed on long-term basis requires commitment and organization. Taking your medications as indicated by your doctor is extremely important for your continued health. Medications are given to you in the strength that is best suited to treat your medical condition. Here are some general medication facts to help you take your medications safely and effectively.

September 22, 2016

There’s no known cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common disorder that often starts in childhood, but is sometimes not diagnosed until adulthood. It is important for parents to remember that ADHD can be successfully managed. There are many treatment options, so parents should work closely with everyone involved in the child’s life—healthcare providers, therapists, teachers, and family members.
For children 6 years of age and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends both behavior therapy and medication as good options, preferably both together. For young children (under 6 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment, before medication is tried. Good treatment plans will include close monitoring of whether and how much the treatment helps the child’s behavior, and making changes as needed along the way. You can learn more

September 13, 2016

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in men and women in the United States. Heart disease can affect anyone, no matter your age, race or ethnicity. There are many risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Some of these factors include high blood pressure, high LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, lack of physical activity, being overweight or obese and smoking.
There are many things a person can do to improve heart health and to decrease heart disease. Some of these include following a heart healthy diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive alcohol use and not smoking. Knowing your family health history and discussing blood pressure goals regularly with your doctor can help avoid risks for heart disease as well.

August 18, 2016

Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are the most common breathing conditions that require the use of inhalers, either a rescue inhaler or controller inhaler based on their purpose.

August 12, 2016

Do you feel like you’re losing the war with warfarin? You have your annual doctor’s visit, which includes a brief conversation hearing the words “anticoagulation” or “INR” and receive a prescription for warfarin, which requires blood work every few weeks. The conversation goes on to detail dietary restrictions, including foods and over-the-counter medications you should not take while on this medication, along with a long list of side effects. Walking out with a dazed look from information overload you ask yourself “What does this all mean?” Here’s the break down.

August 02, 2016

It’s important to properly dispose of unused medication as soon as possible. Learn about drug take back programs and other options available for safe disposal.

June 21, 2016

As the summer months approach, many have started planning their summer vacations. However, before you consider making travel plans for the summer, you should also consider looking into any pertinent travel vaccines or medications that may be necessary for international travel. There are risk factors which are dependent on where you are traveling, activities you will participate in …

June 06, 2016

Folic acid supplementation has always been regarded as the key to natal wellness. However, recent studies have linked high levels of this vitamin to autism. So this may have you wondering what is a sufficient amount and where can I obtain it? First, you should be aware of the difference between folate and folic acid. Folate is the naturally occurring form of the vitamin which is found in foods such as…

May 26, 2016

Now that summer is just around the corner, it is important to start thinking about extra protection from the damaging rays of the sun. Sunscreen is fundamental for everyone all year, but protection from the sun is especially important during the summer for those who enjoy summer activities such as laying out by the pool, going to the beach or attending summer picnics in the park. Although being in the sun can be enjoyable, once the sun starts to sting

May 13, 2016

Have you ever found yourself waiting forever to get your prescription filled at the pharmacy? I mean, how much time does it honestly take to count 30 pills into a bottle and label it? It should just take a few minutes, right? It’s a common question.

March 25, 2016

In late 2003, the United States Government enacted the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.1 It was not until January of 2006 that the prescription drug benefit called Medicare Part D became effective. Medicare Part D was the introduction of prescription drug coverage and one requirement of prescription drug plans was to have in place a cost-effective drug utilization management program and a medication therapy management (MTM) program.