Prescription vs. OTC
#192186 - 07/06/05 08:42 AM
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Has anyone noticed a difference between prescription and over-the-counter drugs for allergy and GERDs?
As some of you may remember, I got kicked off my mom's health insurance last March and had to go on my school's not-so-great health insurance. Leading up to my last day of coverage, I tried to get as many refills as I could - whether I needed them immediately or not - so that it could last me a little bit longer.
My birth control (Zovia) ran out a couple months ago and my doctor and I decided to put me on a new one (Orthotri-cyclen Lo) because it's really cheap right now. Since starting it, I've been getting really nauseous everyday about 6-12 hours after I take it. I've tried switching times (morning vs. evening), but I still get nauseaous the 6-12 hours from whatever time I take it.
I was also on an allergy decongestant (chlorphenier/p-ephed) that was working wonders for my awful hayfever allergies. I ran out of this prescription the day I left for my trip to Seattle two weeks ago. I found a generic version with the same ingredient (chlorphenier), but it just doesn't seem to be working the same. Last night was my final straw when I was up at 3am because my nose would not stop running and my sinuses felt clogged.
And then my last prescription was for my excessive stomach acid (famotidine), which I also found a generic version of over-the-counter, but it also doesn't seem to be working the same.
If the over-the-counter meds have the same ingredients as my prescriptions, why wouldn't they work the same?  On my old insurance, it was cheaper to get the prescription than the over-the-counter, which is why I chose that route. Now it's cheaper to get the over-the-counter.
Thanks in advance! I'm just puzzled and I think a lot of these problems that used to be under control might be causing stress for my recent IBS attacks.
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- Jennifer
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Prescription medications definitely work better for me. I have had an overlap period while my doctor is contacting my insurance co and have taken Prilosec instead of my usual Aciphex. I feel like I am dying during that time period. It really does suck.
I am sorry that you are having a hard time.
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lovejoy_22
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Could the OTC ones be a lower dose of the same med? For example, Prescription Naproxen is just a really strong dose of Aleve. Call your doc and ask how the OTC ones you've found compare to the Rx ones from before. He might instruct you to take a higher dose of the OTC meds than the label says.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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That totally sucks!!
It could be that the OC meds are just a lighter dose? Check the packaging and see and maybe you can take a little more of the OC ones to get relief.
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The OTCs are a lower dose, but my doctor told me that I can take enough to equal what my prescription was. For example, my acid reducer prescription was 40mg and the over-the-counter one is 20mg, so I just take 2 of the OTCs. But for some reason, it's just not working and that's why I can't figure out what's going on.
Thanks for your replies!
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- Jennifer
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It's FREE and you may be able to get discounts on prescriptions.
From rxsavingsplus.advancerx.com :
Quote:
About RxSavings Plus
RxSavings Plus is a prescription discount program designed to meet the needs of uninsured and underinsured Americans who normally pay cash for their prescription medication and would like to lower their prescription costs.
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Hmmm that's weird. I'm all out of ideas! Good luck figuring this out.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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