How to Save Money on Arthritis Prescriptions

Arthritis For Dummies

The high cost of prescription drugs can be a real problem if you have a chronic condition like arthritis that requires a steady supply of medication. Luckily, you have several options for lowering the cost of your arthritis meds:

Review your medications and see which can be eliminated or replaced with over-the-counter varieties.
Ask your doctor if he has free samples of your prescription drugs.
Check out Medicare's Drug Discount Program.
Find out if you qualify for a drug assistance program.
Get a pharmacy discount card.
Buy generic versions of any prescription you can.
Buy your pills in bulk.
Ask your doctor if she will write the prescription at double-the-strength, and split the pills at home.
Compare prices at different pharmacies.
Consider online or mail-order pharmacies.

About This Article

About the book author:

Barry Fox, PhD, is a best-selling writer who has authored or co-authored 20 health books and over 160 health-related articles. His works include the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Arthritis Cure, and many more.

Nadine Taylor is a registered dietitian and contributing editor to the bestseller The Arthritis Cure. She is also author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life.

Jinoos Yazdany, MD, MPH, is a board-certified internist and a Rheumatology Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. She completed her undergraduate education at Stanford University, where she received the Deans’ Award for Academic Achievement and graduated with Honors and Distinction. She completed medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a Humanism in Medicine award from the Health Care Foundation of New Jersey and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Yazdany also studied public health at Harvard University. Her research involves examining health disparities in the care of patients with chronic diseases. This is her first book.