Canine Influenza Vaccine Cost
There are two known strains of flu which can affect your dog: H3N8 and H3N2, according to PetMD.com.
The canine flu, first being recognized in 2004 at a greyhound race track in Florida as the H3N8 strain, was also identified in Asia in 2006.
While there is no confirmation as to how the H3N2 virus made its way to the United States, some experts believe it came from dogs that were imported and rescued from Asia, with the introduction noticed in Chicago, when several dogs boarded at a facility becoming ill, making it the worst outbreak in more than 35 years.
From there on, the virus has continued to spread, and to this day, it has stretched itself across the entire country.
The cost of the canine influenza vaccine
The cost of the canine influenza vaccine, according to some of the vet offices we talked to across the United States, would cost anywhere from $20 to $55 for just the vaccines(for both strains), and depending on the vet office policy, you may be charged an additional vet office fee, about $35 to $65, on top of this, bringing the grand total to $55 to $120 if you were to bring your dog to the vet.
According to the list of vaccinations on the petcarerx.com list, the average cost of just the vaccine is about $20 to $30.
The North Shore Animal Hospital, an animal hospital located in Tennesse, stated it would $45 for the initial vaccine and another $45 for the booster, bringing the grand total to $90.
This New York Times article noted that each injection, with two being required, most likely being $25 to $35 per injection.
Should dog owners worry about the flu?
According to veterinarians, the canine influenza can be transmitted from dog to dog via respiratory secretions such as sneezing, coughing or barking, to name a few. As this virus can survive on the surface for up to 48 hours, a dog, if exposed, can pick it up from various locations such as a dog boarding kennel, food/water bowls, toys, collars, leashes or anything else that a dog can touch. As for clothing, the flu can live for up to 24 hours, while it can live on the human hands for up to 12 hours. All dogs, no matter the breed and age, can be exposed to the virus, but for the most part, dogs in confined areas, such as a boarding facility or shelter, are considered to be higher at risk.
Should your dog get the vaccine?
The question greatly depends on your dog’s situation. As Dr. Becker at Mercola.com says, you will want to assess your dog’s current situation as the virus is closely associated with shelters, kennels, and dog racing facilities, with families in a natural setting, will unlikely contract CIV. Even if your dog were to contract the virus as a “family” dog, there’s a good chance your dog will recover as long as he or she has a healthy immune system.
In the end, just keep in mind that the vaccine will not protect your dog from the virus; rather, it may just lessen the severity of the symptoms and its duration.
Dog flu symptoms
Generally, a dog exposed to the flu will start to show symptoms about 48 to 72 hours after they contracted the virus. Common symptoms, according to the University of Florida, include various coughs, such as a soft, moist and/or hacking sound, for about 12 to 24 hours, followed by a discharge coming from both the nose and/or eyes. Additional symptoms can include a decrease in exercise, appetite and/or showing signs of a fever. Often, puppies and older dogs with weaker immune systems will show severe symptoms in comparison to a healthy dog.
As these signs can be closely related to multiple respiratory infections, a veterinarian will want to run a series of test to affirm the findings. If a cough continues for more than 21 days, then quarantine will be considered for an infected dog. Other treatment recommendations may include maintaining hydration levels, anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the dog’s fever and/or antibiotics for any known bacterial findings based on the test results.
Tips to know
If you need to bring your dog to a boarding facility, then you will want to make sure you know the cleaning regiment, schedule and how the staff is trained to prevent any cross-contamination. Also, when choosing any dog boarding facility, always make sure all of the dogs inside are fully vaccinated before being accepted.
Most of the time, veterinarians will not keep the vaccine in stock. If you want the vaccine, be sure to check with your veterinarian ahead of time so he or she can order it.
Remember, the vaccine will not prevent the flu; it will only help control the spreading of the disease, reduce the severity and the duration of the illness.
As with any medical concern, always talk with your vet to know the benefits, risks and if he or she recommends it.
Simvastatin Cost
Simvastatin, the generic version of Zocor, is used to lower cholesterol and the triglycerides levels in the blood. The medicine is also known to help reduce the risks of a heart attack and for those who are at a higher risk of heart disease.
The cost of Simvastatin
The cost of Simvastatin, being a generic prescription, is pretty cheap like most other generics, only averaging about $0.30 per tablet. Compared to Zocor, the branded version, is almost 5,000% more at close to $8.50 per tablet.
| Dosage | Average Price (without insurance) |
|---|---|
| 10 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| 20 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| 80 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
As with most generic prescriptions, almost all private health insurance policies, as well as Medicare, does cover this prescription, with the average reported co-pay being anywhere from $0 to as much as $10. The costs, depending on your health insurance policy, will also depend on the pharmacy and the number of tablets prescribed.
How to save on Simvastatin
Use your insurance: Being a generic, it’s actually quite cheap, even without any health insurance, but before you head to the pharmacy, be sure to call ahead of time to see what your insurance will cover.
Consider prescription saving cards: GoodRX.com, for example, offers free prescription savings cards on its website, allowing you to save more than 50%. While the price savings vary from prescription to prescription, at the time of this publishing, they had cards available for as little as $4 per fill. To use the card, all you have to do is enter some basic information, select the pharmacy you want to use, print the card and take it into the pharmacy when you’re ready to fill your prescription.
Longer supply: As with most prescriptions, the longer your fill is good for, the less you will pay per tablet, and if you know you will need this prescription for longer than 30 days, then it may be wise to as your doctor for a longer prescription to help you save money.
Split: If at all possible, ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a larger dosage and allow you to split the pill by using a pill spliter. In doing so, this can help you save up to 50 percent as most dosages, which you can see from the table above, allows you to save, even though the dosages are stronger. In the end, you get double the amount, the same dosage and 50 percent more in your pocket.
Simvastatin side effects
Some of the side effects you may notice with this prescription may or may not include allergic reactions, confusion, dark-colored urine, a fever, joint pain, memory loss, cramps, blistering/red skin, trouble passing urine, feeling tired and/ore the yellowing of the eyes. This isn’t a full list of the side effects, with more being viewed here. As always, call your doctor in regards to medical advice for any unusual side effects you may feel.
Drug overview
When prescribed alongside a proper diet, Simvastatin, belonging to a group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or statins, works by treating high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. As stated, it can also help prevent a variety of medical problems which are caused by clogged blood vessels, including heart attacks and strokes, to name a few.
Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Never take more, take less or adjust your schedule unless your doctor tells you to do so. This medicine is often used in the evening, on an empty stomach. The dosages will be different, depending on your circumstances, but most adults, at first, will take about 10 to 20 milligrams per day, but for higher risk patients, the dosage may start at 40 milligrams and will be no more than this.
Store inside of a closed container, away from the direct sunlight, children and pets.
Shower Valve Replacement Cost
The shower valve is designed to control the flow of both the hot and cold water, all while protecting you from being blasted with scalding hot water.
The cost of a shower valve replacement
The cost to replace a shower valve will depend on the contractor you hire, how difficult it is to access the valve, the setup, the type of piping you have, and your geographical location. For the most part, the average shower valve can cost $25 to $100 for just the part, while the rest of the costs, going toward the labor, can, again, depend on the amount of work that is required.
For example, if the valve can be readily accessible via the back of the wall, then the job is pretty straightforward, but if the plumber has to remove the tile and open up walls, tile, and/or the shower stall to access, then, as you can imagine, the labor time can increase. For a readily accessible job, the prices, including the parts can be in the $175 to $300 range; however, if a lot of modifications need to be made, the costs can soar to $600 to more than $1,800+ once the drywall and/or tile is replaced.
In the end, the biggest problem with the shower valve will be the access as a copper pipe, coming through the stud or even several studs, can be hard for a plumber to wiggle the valve free or even have enough of a pipe after cutting the old valve out. Because of this, each situation can be so unique and we recommend you check out HomeAdvisor.com to receive free quotes for your specific job. This free to use service requires no credit card and all you need to do is explain your job and plumbers will contact you with quotes.
On this BiggerPockets.com forum thread, for example, one landlord had received two quotes to replace the shower valve behind his tub: $1,500 and $2,300, while another member said he just paid $575 for his shower valve replacement.
| Is the valve easily accessible? | $175 to $300 (parts+labor) |
| Not readily accessible and galvanized pipes? | $1,500 to $2,000 (parts, labor and replacement of tile, drywall) |
| Not readily accessible and pipes made of PVC or Copper? | $575 to $900 (parts, labor and replacement of tile, drywall) |
| Not readily accessible but will do drywall and/or tile repairs on own | $375 to $700 |
Signs of a faulty shower valve
Leakage: In some cases, you may be able to see the leakage, but there are scenarios where the leaks happen behind the wall, where you cannot see it until it’s too late when the walls either become too damp or even begin to develop mold. Some leaks can be seen from behind the wall of the shower, while some, unfortunately, will not be able to see the signs until it’s too late.
Slower: While showering, if you feel a large swing in the temperature of water, from a comfortable temperature to either hot or cold when someone turns on a faucet or toilet, for example, then this could be a sign of a faulty valve.
Tips to know
Shower valves, most of the time, will come with a decently sized escutcheon, usually around six inches in diameter. The piping, which can play a role in the pricing, can often be more if you had galvanized pipes, for instance, as this type of piping will require a lot more demolition than other material to get the valve out. On the other hand, if you have CPVC, copper or PEX, then a new valve can often be installed through a hole, with the escutcheon covering everything up, saving you a lot of labor time.
To save money, see what it would cost to have just the valve replaced, not the replacement of drywall or tile after the job completes. In some cases, if the plumber replaces just the valve and leaves the drywall and tile up to either you or a contractor, you may be able to save money.
Some brands, such as Moen, offer a lifetime warranty on its parts. Check with the manufacturer of the valve to see if you’re entitled to a free replacement.
Savaysa Cost
Savaysa (EDOXABAN) is a blood thinner, commonly referred to as an anticoagulant in the medical world. This medicine works by lowering your chances of a stroke, especially for those who suffer from a condition known as atrial fibrillation. Aside from this, it can also help prevent or even treat blood clots in the lungs and/or veins.
How much does Savaysa cost?
The cost of Savaysa, as with most medicine, will depend on your insurance coverage, the quantity prescribed, the dosage and the pharmacy you choose. From our research online, the average price per capsule averaged about $11.50 or about $345 per 30 days without any insurance coverage.
Refer to our table below to see what the average prescription for Savaysa could cost you:
| Dosage | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 15mg | - 30 capsules: $345 - 60 capsules: $700 - 90 capsules: $1,100 |
| 30mg | - 30 capsules: $345 - 60 capsules: $700 - 90 capsules: $1,100 |
| 60mg | - 30 capsules: $345 - 60 capsules: $700 - 90 capsules: $1,100 |
NOTE: These averages were compiled by calling five major pharmacies in our area to gather results: Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Costco and Sam’s Club.
As for Medicare and private insurance, the coverage will vary, greatly depending on the policy you hold, but if your policy does qualify, then the average co-pay ranged anywhere from $85 to $300 based on the random prescription plans we explored online.
LivingwithAtrialFibrillation.com, in its comparison of “Xarelto vs Eliquis vs Pradaxa vs Savaysa,” they state a 30-day supply of Savaysa will cost $340 when 60 milligrams is taken once daily.
How to save on Savaysa
Assistance program via the manufacturer: The provider of the drug, Daiichi Sankyo, has a patient assistance program called the Daiichi Sankyo Open Care Program. With this program, patients who do not have insurance coverage or insufficient coverage and meet qualifying restrictions can receive one of the many drugs they manufacturer, including Savaysa. For more information as to see if you qualify, you can do so by following this link.
Savings card: Via the official website, the company offers the “SAVAYSA Savings Card,” a savings card, as it implies, to help lower your co-pay to as little as $4. Available to those with or without insurance, this savings card will be applied after out-of-pocket expenses are met.
Alternatives: Savaysa is one of the more expensive “Anticoagulants” on the market. If possible, and your doctor agrees, see if you can be prescribed a cheaper alternative such as Coumadin, etc. GoodRX.com, for example, lists a variety of anticoagulants and the pricing.
Discount cards: Drugs.com and GoodRX.com, to name a few, offer prescription savings cards for everyone, regardless if you have health insurance or not. To use these cards, you simply find the prescription you want, the pharmacy you plan on using and input a few pieces of information to receive a card you print at home. It’s free and can save you more money than your insurance company in some cases.
Canada: We were able to find some verified Canadian pharmacies that offered this same drug for as little as $4.50 per capsule.
Drug overview
Always take this drug orally with a full glass of water, and as always, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and refer to the prescription label on the capsule bottle. Never take less, too much or off schedule. According to the label, you can either take it with or without food; however, for those who suffer from an upset stomach when taking, then it is best to take with food.
Do not stop taking this medicine until your doctor tells you as stopping on your own can greatly increase your chances of a blood clot. To be safe with your future refills, get your refill a few days before your current supply runs out.
Side effects include allergic reactions, feeling lightheaded, symptoms of bleeding, tarry stools, discolored urine, spitting up blood, red spots on the skin, unusual bruising and/or swelling, itching or hives. If you experience any of these side effects, talk with a medical professional immediately.
Repatha Cost
Repatha, a PCSK9 inhibitor, is used to help lower the level of high LDL cholesterol in the blood, and it can either be used on its own or in combination with other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Aside from lowering cholesterol levels, it can also be used to reduce the chances of strokes, heart attacks and patients with certain types of heart diseases.
How much does Repatha cost?
The cost of Repatha, from what we researched, seemed to be the same cost at most of the pharmacies we talked with such as Costco, Kroger, Walmart, Sam’s Club and CVS, to name a few. With Medicare Part D and most commercial policies covering the drug, according to Repatha, the average price, without any insurance coverage, was about $1,200 for two prefilled 140MG/ML syringes. This price, of course, could be much less depending on your policy details.
According to this StatNews.com article, Repatha has a list price of $14,000 a year. This was also confirmed by the Contemporary Clinic as well.
How to save on Repatha
Check your insurance coverage: While Medicare, from what we did see, did cover it, it still doesn’t hurt to check with your health insurance policy to see the limitations or your co-pay if your plan is eligible.
Look for a free prescription coupon: GoodRX.com and Drugs.com, to name a few, offer free coupons to help you save on prescription drugs. While we didn’t find many online, it doesn’t mean none will arise in the future. In some circumstances, you may be able to save more with a coupon than you would with your private insurance company, so it never hurts to check.
Assistance via Repatha: The official website of Repatha does help with coverage and financial assistance if you qualify, even if you do have health insurance. According to the website, the company can help lower your costs, and in order to find out how much you qualify for, the website will ask whether you have commercial/private insurance, Medicare/Medicaid or if you do not have sufficient insurance or no insurance at all. In some cases, your co-pay can be lowered to as little as $5 per fill, with a maximum use of 12 times per year.
Agencies: The official company does offer assistance for its drug as long as you meet requirements, but for those who need more help and/or do not qualify, you can check with state, federal or even non-profit organizations that are able to help you save on costs. The PAN Foundation, for example, can offer co-payment assistance for those who qualify as well as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, to name a few. Check with these organizations or even talk with your local health department for more information as to how you can save.
Canada: In Canada, when we did research, the cheapest cost we found was $659 for one 140mg syringe, which is almost the price as the United States pharmacies.
How do you use the drug?
Unlike a capsule, Repatha is an injection which is administered beneath the skin with a SureClick® Autoinjector . Before you’re given a prescription, however, your doctor will show you how to successfully administered the injection every day. Be sure to take your injections at regular intervals, according to your doctor’s schedule and never take more than directed. After each injection, it is very important you store your needles and syringes in a special sharps container and never inside of a trash can for other’s safety.
Tips to know
Always keep this drug out of reach of children and all pets.
Do not use the drug if allergic to evolocumab or any of the active ingredients in Repatha.
Possible side effects may include serious allergic reactions, rashes, redness, severe itching, a swollen face or troubled breathing, and if you experience any of these conditions, you must call for medical help immediately. The most common side effects, according to the company, include a runny nose, sore throat, cold/flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels and/or pain, bruising and/or redness at the injection site. These are just a few of the possible side effects the injection may cause; for more information, you can see the full list of Repatha side effects here.
The FDA approved Repatha in 2015.
Praluent Cost
Praluent, known as a PCSK9 inhibitor, is an injectable prescription medicine used to help lower the level of cholesterol in the blood and is commonly prescribed to those whose cholesterol is not controlled by diet and statin therapy.
Used alongside tolerated statin therapy and a special diet, it helps with the additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.
How much does Praluent cost?
The costs of Praluent will often depend on the pharmacy you use. From our research, it appears Medicare, as well as many private insurance companies, will not cover this drug, meaning you should be prepared to pay full price for the syringe. According to multiple pharmacies we called, including Costco, Walmart, Kroger, CVS, and Sam’s Club, the average price for two 75 mg/ml pens/syringes averaged about $1,120. Again, plan on paying full price as very few insurance companies, from what we noticed, will help cover the drug.
According to this Reuters.com article, higher risk patients should expect to pay $4,500 to $8,000 a year, while all other patients can be expected to pay around $2,000 to $3,000.
How to save on Praluent
Co-pay card: The official provider of Praluent, Sanofi, does offer a co-pay card that allows you to pay as little as $0 if you qualify for the program, with a maximum savings of $5,500. According to the fine print, your commercial insurance must cover the drug and is not valid for those who pay cash. If your insurance is active and does cover it, as long as you meet the guidelines, you can pay as little as $0 for the co-pay. Visit the official website for more information on how to save on your next Praluent prescription.
Assistance: Aside from the official co-pay card, the manufacturer also offers a Patient Assitance Program, a program which enables you to receive the drug at no cost if you meet certain income restrictions. If eligible, you can get Praluent free of charge for up to 12 months, with some qualified customers being able to renew this deal. Also, according to the company’s fine print, if you have Medicare Part D insurance that covers it and you meet income restrictions, then you may also qualify for the no-cost program. For more information, you can visit the official website.
Agencies: The official company does offer assistance for its drug as long as you meet requirements, but for those who need more help and/or do not qualify, you can check with state, federal or even non-profit organizations that are able to help you save on costs. The PAN Foundation, for example, can offer co-payment assistance for those who qualify as well as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, to name a few. Check with these organizations or even talk with your local health department for more information as to how you can receive help.
Online coupons: At the time of this publishing, we didn’t find any coupons, but it doesn’t mean they will not arise in the future. Popular discounted prescription card companies, such as GoodRX and Drugs.com, can help you save hundreds of dollars by simply printing a coupon from their website. It’s free, and in some cases, it can be cheaper than using your actual insurance.
Canada: In Canada, some pharmacies do sell it, and from what we saw, it could cost about $859 or about $300 less than the United States.
Tips to know
Do not use this medication if you’re allergic to alirocumab, food, dyes, preservatives, and/or any of the ingredients listed in Praluent.
Praluent can cause side effects, with the most common include itching, swelling, pain and/or tenderness at the injection site as well as cold or flu-like symptoms. More severe side effects, according to the company, may include a severe rash, itching, swollen face and/or trouble breathing. If any of these side effects do occur, seek medical attention immediately.
Being an injection-based medication, you will administer the injection beneath the skin, and your doctor, before prescribing, will teach you how to administer the medicine properly. Use exactly as prescribed at regular intervals, and unless otherwise noted, never take more, less or off schedule. Injections are needed every two weeks to see results.
As with any syringes, it’s so important you always put your used needles in a special sharps container and never place them in a trash can.
Praluent was the first PCSK9 inhibitor approved in the United States.
Praluent is known to reduce the LDL cholesterol in patients who are already on maximum strength statin therapy.
Praluent reviews
On Drugs.com, 35 visitors gave the drug an average of 6.3 out of 10, with the positive reviewers saying their cholesterol did drop after a few months with no noticeable side effects, whereas the negative reviewers complained about multiple side effects and minimal results.
The People’s Pharmacy had 55+ ratings, with an average of “4.29 out of five stars,” while on Everyday Health, only a few visitors gave it an average of 0.5 stars out of 5.
Coumadin Cost
Coumadin, an anticoagulant, is used to treat or help prevent clots in the arteries, lungs, heart or veins.
Warfarin and Jantoven, being the generic version commonly prescribed today, is only available via prescription.
How much does Coumadin cost?
The cost of Coumadin will depend on a few factors, including the dosage, quantity, which version (generic vs. brand), your insurance and where you have the prescription filled. For Coumadin, the average price per capsule averages about $2.80, whereas the generic averages about $0.15 per capsule.
As there are two options, being the branded version, Coumadin, and the most popular generic, Jantoven, the costs will greatly vary depending on the brand you choose and the strength you need. To make things easy, we created the table below to show the averages you should be prepared to spend without any insurance coverage.
| Brand | Dosage | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coumadin | 1 MG | - 30 tablets: $75 - 50 tablets: $120 - 100 tablets: $230 |
| Jantoven | 1 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 2 MG | - 30 tablets: $80 - 50 tablets: $125 - 100 tablets: $250 |
| Jantoven | 2 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 2.5 MG | - 30 tablets: $77 - 50 tablets: $125 - 100 tablets: $241 |
| Jantoven | 2.5 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 3 MG | - 30 tablets: $81 - 50 tablets: $130 - 100 tablets: $255 |
| Jantoven | 3 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 4 MG | - 30 tablets: $81 - 50 tablets: $130 - 100 tablets: $255 |
| Jantoven | 4 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 5 MG | - 30 tablets: $85 - 50 tablets: $135 - 100 tablets: $260 |
| Jantoven | 5 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 6 MG | - 30 tablets: $105 - 50 tablets: $170 - 100 tablets: $325 |
| Jantoven | 6 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 7.5 MG | - 30 tablets: $107 - 50 tablets: $175 - 100 tablets: $335 |
| Jantoven | 7.5 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
| Coumadin | 10 MG | - 30 tablets: $110 - 50 tablets: $180 - 100 tablets: $350 |
| Jantoven | 10 MG | - 30 tablets: $11 - 50 tablets: $12 - 100 tablets: $15 |
NOTE: These prices were combined to create an average with the quotes we received from five pharmacies: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco and Sam’s Club.
As for insurance, Medicare and private insurance, from what we researched online, does cover all three options, with the co-pays reported anywhere from $0 to $15 for the generic version to $15 to $85 for the branded version, Coumadin. To be certain what you’re going to pay if you plan on using insurance, be sure to talk with either your insurance company or call your local pharmacy with your insurance information to know what you will be responsible for.
How to save on Coumadin
Generics: As noted in our table above, a generic will be more than 1,000% percent cheaper, and while your doctor should prescribe the generic 99 percent of the time, it doesn’t hurt to confirm before heading to the pharmacy. In fact, even if your doctor prescribed Coumadin, the pharmacy will still prescribe the generic unless otherwise noted by your doctor.
Longer supply: The more capsules you have prescribed at once, the less you’re going to pay per capsule. While the savings will not be extreme, the little savings do save up over time, especially if you need the prescription for more than 90 days.
Split: Ask your doctor if you’re able to split your dosage in order to save even more money, up to 50 percent. For example, if you had a 20 mg capsule and split it into two, you would now have two 10 mg capsules, but for half the cost. Most dosages are similar in price, and a pill splitter will only cost you a few dollars, but, again, before doing so, talk with your doctor to see if this route can work for your situation.
Canada: Buying online via Canadian pharmacies can often drive the costs down to as little as $0.50 per capsule for the branded capsule. If going this route, however, be sure that the pharmacy you’re working with is licensed and reputable online.
Online coupons: Online prescription-based coupon websites, such as GoodRX.com, can help you save money on your prescription, even if you do have insurance. Be sure to check out these websites ahead of time because you may find you can actually save more money than using your insurance at a local pharmacy in some cases.
Drug overview
Coumadin can be used to treat blood clots, including pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis, and depending on the prescription, it can also be used to prevent blood clots that were caused by certain heart conditions such as a heart attack or open-heart surgery. As a blood thinner or referred to as an anticoagulant in the medical world, the drug will decrease the clotting ability in your bloodstream.
Always take this prescription, as with any prescription, as directed by your doctor. This means do not take more, take less and/or take it off schedule. Aside from taking your medicine on schedule, this drug does work best with a special diet in some cases, and if your doctor does recommend a special diet, this needs to be followed closely as well.
According to the medication guide, it can be taken either on a full or empty stomach, but grapefruit juice should be avoided as this can change the amount of medicine being absorbed by your body.
The dosage greatly varies depending on why your doctor prescribed the drug in the first place. In most cases, an adult will take anywhere from two to five milligrams per day, but your doctor will adjust your dosage if necessary.
Store the medicine in a closed container away from any direct sunlight, moisture and/or heat.
Coumadin vs Warfarin
The FDA must approve all generic versions, and in this case, Warfarin, being the generic version, needs to be approved by the FDA to ensure that the generic is “bioequivalent” to the brand-name drug. According to the FDA, to considered bioequivalent, the generic drug must be identical in dosage form, strength, safety, route of administration, purity, stability, quality and performance use.
And while the FDA does claim the generic is the same, in reality, it is not 100 percent true. Why? The FDA, according to KFreeDaily.com, states the bioequivalent to its brand name counterpart can have a maximum concentration within the body at an 80 to 125 percent of the brand name drug, meaning the patient may only get the 80 percent intended effect or up to 125 percent of the intended effect. This, in conclusion, can matter a lot since a small change in the concentration of the drug inside your bloodstream could have a great effect only body and is the reason why that doses of Coumadin or Warfarin are often adjusted by your doctor.
While no two are considered better than another, your doctor will always want you to stay with the same brand to avoid the change, even if it is not much.
Pradaxa Cost
Pradaxa, a prescription drug, is used to reduce the chances of a stroke and blood clots for those who suffer from atrial fibrillation, a serious heart rhythm problem. It is also used to help prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after a hip replacement surgery. At the time of this publishing, there is no generic version of Pradaxa.
How much does Pradaxa cost?
The cost of Pradaxa, as with most prescriptions, will depend on the dosage, where you’re filling your prescription and your insurance company. The cost of one dose pack, without insurance, will average about $7.50 per capsule, regardless of the strengths chosen (75, 110 or 150 mg). To get this estimate, we called five popular pharmacies in our area: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco and Sam’s Club and took the average price given. Again, these prices are for those who do not have an insurance policy.
As for private insurance and Medicare, most policies will cover this drug, with the reported co-pays ranging from $25 to $450 for 60 capsules. As with any drug, talk with your insurance company and/or the local pharmacy to see what you’re going to be responsible for.
According to livingwithatrialfibrillation.com, the average cost of a 30-day supply of Pradaxa is about $348 if two 150 milligram capsules are taken daily. When compared to the generic Warfarin, Savaysa, Xarelto, and Eliquis, the price seems to fall in the middle of the total costs. This price, like our price quotes, are for those who do not have insurance, and seeing insurance will cover this drug most of the time, you will often see a discounted rate, depending on your policy.
How to save on Pradaxa
Savings Card: The official manufacturer of the drug, Boehringer Ingelheim, offers a “Pradaxa Savings Card,” a savings card which can reduce your co-pay to as little as $5 per fill, with up to a maximum yearly savings of $2,400. To take advantage, you will register on the main company’s website, and long as you qualify, you can print the card from home and bring it to your local pharmacy that accepts it. If interested, you can activate or apply for the card by doing so here.
Official Assistance Program: The official company also offers the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program, a program which helps eligible individuals obtain medications free of charge. To learn more about the assistance program, the company encourages you either apply online or call 1-800-556-8317. To take part of the program, you will need to fill out an application form on the website to see if you qualify.
Additional Assistance Programs: Aside from the program mentioned prior, many state, federal and even non-profits can help pay for your prescription drugs as long as you meet minimum income requirements. The Partnership for Prescription Assitance, for example, can help you find local prescription help with its “find clinic” tool.
Larger Supply: If you’re able, ask your doctor if he or she is able to prescribe a larger supply as a 90-day supply when priced “per capsule,” will be a bit less than a 30-day supply. As long as you know you will need this prescription for this amount of time, then it may be wise to see if a longer prescription can be obtained.
Free Coupon Websites: Even if you have insurance, you may be able to save even more by using a free pharmacy online website. GoodRX.com, for example, allows you to search for a drug, find a local pharmacy and print the coupon for free to pay the price quoted on their website. Be sure to compare this price to your insurance price to see which option will be best for your budget.
Canada: While you should do so at your own risk, there are multiple online Canadian pharmacies that offer the same exact drug for a fraction of the price. As the prices indicated above are for those who do live in the United States, we were able to find a few online pharmacies based in Canada that only charged $2 per pill — a 250% difference.
Drug overview
Pradaxa is used to help reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots for patients who suffer from a serious heart rhythm problem known as nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Aside from this, the drug is also used to help treat and prevent blood clots again for patients who are using other medicines. The medicine is only available via a doctor’s prescription.
As with any prescription, always take as prescribed by your doctor; never take more, less or off a schedule. According to the drug medication guide, you can take this medicine with or without food, and the capsule should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. Never crush, break and/or chew while using.
As the dosage will vary from patient to patient, the dosage will greatly depend on why you’re using the medicine. For the prevention of blood clots and stroke for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, adults often take 75 to 150 milligram twice per day, whereas to prevent a blood clot after a hip replacement surgery, patients will take about 110 milligrams a few hours after the surgery, followed by 220 milligrams once a day for the next month.
If you are using another type of blood thinner, be sure to carefully pay attention to your doctor’s orders to ensure you switch to Pradaxa correctly.
Crestor Cost
Crestor, a prescription drug used to lower cholesterol levels, is available as a branded version, Crestor, and generic version, rosuvastatin.
How much does Crestor cost?
The cost of Crestor depends on a few factors, just like any prescription drugs, including the dosage strength, whether you’re purchasing the generic, your health insurance policy and the pharmacy you choose. For the branded Crestor tablets, the costs, without insurance could average about $9.50 per tablet, whereas the generic version, rosuvastatin, can average closer to $1.30 per tablet.
Private insurance companies and Medicare will cover the generic rosuvastatin, but according to GoodRX.com, Medicare will not cover the branded Crestor. For the generic, plan on your co-pay, depending on your insurance and the quantity you’re purchasing, ranging anywhere from $0 to $65.
Calling a few pharmacies in the area, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Costco, we were able to compile a tablet average we were given and included the prices we received in the table below:
| Brand | Dosage | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Crestor | 5 MG | - 30 tablets: $285 - 50 tablets: $475 - 100 tablets: $935 |
| Rosuvastatin | 5 MG | - 30 tablets: $35 - 50 tablets: $37 - 100 tablets: $43 |
| Crestor | 10 MG | - 30 tablets: $285 - 40 tablets: $465 - 100 tablets: $920 |
| Crestor | 40 MG | - 30 tablets: $285 - 60 tablets: $550 - 90 tablets: $830 |
| Rosuvastatin | 40 MG | - 30 tablets: $40 - 60 tablets: $50 - 90 tablets: $55 |
How to save on Crestor
Many programs, including local, federal, non-profits, and manufacturers, can help you receive these drugs at a reduced cost as long as you meet eligibility requirements, often being based on your income and insurance status. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance and even HealthFinder.gov, for example, are all programs/services which may be able to help with your situation.
As you can see in our table above, the larger your quantity is at the time of prescription, the more you’re going to save per tablet. If you know you’re going to use the medicine for more than 90 days, then ask your doctor if he or she is able to write a longer prescription.
In some cases, you may be able to split your pills, helping you save up to 50 percent; however, before doing so, ask your doctor if splitting can work for your situation. Splitting a 40mg pill, for instance, can create two 20mg pills, but it will cost 50 percent than the same amount of a 20mg equivalent. A pill splitter can cost less than $10.
The generic version, as you can see, will be much less than the branded pill. Again, talking with your doctor, see if other statin class drugs can help save you money such as Lipitor or Zocor.
Even if you have health insurance, see if the prescription coupon-based websites can help you save money. GoodRX.com, for example, allows you to print out a coupon for free and take it to a local pharmacy to receive the cost printed on the card. Be sure to compare this price with your insurance costs to see which option will be the cheapest.
If you want Crestor, not the generic, the official website does offer a Crestor $3 Card, offering to pay as little as $3 if you qualify. You can read the restrictions and download the card by clicking here.
Drug overview
Crestor, belonging to a group of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statin, is commonly used together with a doctor recommended diet to help control your cholesterol and the fats (triglycerides) in your bloodstream. While this medicine is known to slow down other medical problems, often related to fats that clog the arteries, it can also help prevent a certain type of blood vessel and/or heart problems in patients who are higher at risk with heart problems.
Always, as with any prescription, use as recommended by your doctor’s orders. Never use more, less or take it on a schedule of your choice. As the medicine directions indicate, it will always work its best when there is a constant amount in the bloodstream, and in order to keep this constant amount, it is so important you take it at the right interval every day. For the average adult, they will take five to 40 milligrams once a day.
In addition to this medicine, most doctors, based on your circumstances, will also recommend a diet that is low in cholesterol, fat and sugars. If your doctor does recommend this type of diet, just like the medicine, it will be important to follow the directions closely.
This medicine can be taken with or without food, but it must be swallowed whole and never crushed, broken apart or chewed.
Always store away from heat, any moisture and the direct light in room temperature. Keep away from any children and pets.
Ezetimibe Cost
Ezetimibe, the generic version of the drug Zetia, is a prescription-based drug designed to lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood for patients who are either at a high risk for a stroke or heart disease.
This drug, covered by most insurance plans and Medicare, is only offered for those whose cholesterol levels are not controlled by their diet.
How much does Ezetimibe cost?
The cost of Ezetimibe depends often depends on your insurance policy and the pharmacy you choose, but seeing it’s a generic, the costs are fairly low, even if you do not have a health insurance policy. For those without insurance, plan on spending an average of $1.56 per 10 mg tablet, with the prices dropping about 10-15 percent as your quantity increases at the time of your fill. Compared to the brand name, Zetia, which costs an average of $12.30 per tablet, you can save more than 650%+ by using the generic. These prices were compiled by taking the averages of five local pharamcies we called: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco and Sam’s Club.
The official drug prices, as per Costco, can range from $46.65 per 30 tablets to as much as $69 for 90 tablets. These prices do not account for prescription insurance and co-pays and only apply to purchases at Costco only.
Most health insurance policies will cover the drug, with the average co-pay range being about $30, but to be for certain, check with your health insurance company and/or your local pharmacy to see what you’re responsible for.
How to save on Ezetimibe
Researching online, even if you didn’t have an eligible health insurance policy, you could still decrease your costs to as little as $11 to $15 per 30 tablet fill by using free prescription savings cards such as GoodRX.com. With these websites, you simply find the pharmacies in your area that you frequently go to, print out the free coupon and present it to the pharmacy for savings.
The more tablets you have prescribed at once, the more you can save. Talk with your doctor to see if he or she will prescribe a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply to help cut down the costs.
Drug overview
The medicine is taken orally, either with or without food, at regular intervals throughout the day. Follow your doctor’s instructions and the prescription label closely. If you miss a dosage, you will take it as soon as you can unless it’s close to the next dosage, which, if so, you will take the next dose and ignore the missed dose. Never take double or extra dosages.
Dosages will be different for all patients based on your individual circumstances and the strength of the medicine. For most, adults will take 10 milligrams once a day, either with or without food. This medicine is not recommended for children younger than 10 years old.
Keep the medicine out of reach of children and store in a tightly closed container in a dry environment, away from moistures, direct light, and heat, no warmer than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ezetimibe side effects
Common side effects include diarrhea, dizziness, headaches and/or stomach pain. More serious side effects, which often call for immediate attention, can include severe allergic reactions, dark urine, feeling unusually weak and/or the yellowing of the skin or eyes. For more information as to the regards to side effects, refer to this in-depth side effects chart offered by Drugs.com.
