What about generic drugs?

Generic drugs are an excellent way to help avoid spiralling medical costs. Generics are approved and endorsed by the government. In other words, generic prescriptions are just as safe and as effective as brand name drugs and, in fact, have been found to have fewer recalls.

 Why are generic drugs cheaper?

Although generic drug active ingredients are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at a cheaper price than the brand name drug. Generics are less expensive because the drug manufacturer does not have to duplicate the original clinical trials for effectiveness and safety, which lowers the cost to bring the drug to market. Generics are not less expensive because they are lower in quality.

Why do generic and brand name drugs look different?

In the United States, trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like the brand name drug. However, the generic drug must have the same active ingredients. Colors, flavors, and certain other inactive ingredients may be different but the effectiveness of the drug remains the same.

Risk of Developing Side Effects.

Every one of us is unique. However, certain individual factors make some of us more likely to develop side effects than others. The most significant of these factors is age. The very young and the very old are ALWAYS more susceptible to unwanted reactions. Children are not small adults. The way their bodies absorb metabolize and eliminate drugs differs from adults, and this is especially true in babies. Younger children tend to absorb medicine more slowly from the stomach but have faster intramuscular (IM) absorption rates. In early life, they have a higher body water to lipid ratio and a larger liver to bodyweight ratio. Liver enzymes are immature as is their kidney function. In addition, the permeability of their blood-brain barrier (the layer of cells that restricts the passage of substances from the bloodstream to the brain) is higher.

Is it OK to miss a dose?

Adherence to your medications (that is, taking them exactly as prescribed by your doctor) is very important. Here's why. When you take your medication on a regular basis, your body reaches what is known as “steady state” – the amount of drug going into your body (absorption) is the same as the amount of drug going out (metabolism and excretion). All medications have a “half-life” – that is, the time it takes for your body to eliminate half (50%) of the drug levels in your body. It usually takes about 5 half-lives for a drug to reach its steady state or to be almost completely eliminated from your body.

How can I obtain a refill?

Call or visit  Healthcareshopy.com and confirm your name and number. Our computer database will pull up your records and will automatically refills your prescription immediately.