March 2009
How much you could save by switching to a Best Buy Drug
The table below compares the cost of taking our Best Buy drugs with that of higher-priced branded medicines. As you'll see, making a switch could save you up to $275 a month, or over $3,000 a year. All prices are for a 30-day supply except as noted.
| Condition | Brand-Name or Top-Selling Drug | Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug | Monthly Savings with the Best Buy | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | Strattera One 18mg pill per day $176 |
vs. | Methylphenidate Two 20mg pills per day $40 |
$136 | ADHD drugs may be overused. But they can help when prescribed correctly. Get an accurate diagnosis. |
| Cholesterol: High LDL | Lipitor One 10mg pill per day $101 |
vs. | Lovastatin One 20mg pill per day $18 |
$83 | Applicable only if you need to lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol by less than 30%. |
| Depression | Lexapro One 20mg pill per day $107 |
vs. | Fluoxetine One 20mg pill per day $26 |
$81 | Most antidepressants are now available as generics. There's no reason to start with a brand-name drug. |
| Diabetes (Type 2) | Actos One 30mg pill per day $232 |
vs. | Metformin Two 1000mg pills per day $20 |
$212 | Many people with diabetes need to take two drugs, but starting with just metformin is your best first step. |
| Heartburn and GERD | Nexium One 20mg pill per day $215 |
vs. | Omeprazole One 20mg pill per day $15 |
$200 | Omeprazole is available as a nonprescription drug. See a doctor if you have heartburn two or more times per week for several weeks. |
| Insomnia | Lunesta One 2mg pill at bedtime $93 for 15 pills |
vs. | Zolpidem One 10mg pill at bedtime $33 for 15 pills |
$60 | Don't take sleeping pills every night for more than ten days. Zolpidem varies in price for 15 pills. Shop around. |
| Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain | Celebrex Two 200mg pills per day $296 |
vs. | Ibuprofen Three 400mg pills per day $21 |
$275 | You can buy ibuprofen as an over-the-counter drug, but stronger doses are also available by prescription. |
| Schizophrenia | Seroquel Two 100mg pills per day $320 |
vs. | Perphenazine Three 8mg pills per day $90 |
$230 | Antipsychotic drugs have major side effects, and response to them is highly variable. |
