Why are Asthma Inhalers So Expensive?

Image courtesy of marin at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net The corollary to the expensive question and more relevant to patients being which ones are the cheapest? Given I'm an ENT, asthma medications are a class of medications I have not immersed myself in with respect to the minutiae of cost and optimal prescriptions... until now (at least to some degree). And given I personally did know this information until I took the time to investigate, I figure patients would be even more in the …

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Can Eye Drop Medications be Used in the Ear?

Can EYE drop medications be used in the EAR for ear problems like ear infections ? For the most part, absolutely, but not vice-versa. For pretty much any EAR drop preparation, there is an equivalent EYE drop preparation which can be used safely in the ear. Why does this matter? For some patients, the ear drops may burn when placed. Given eye drops uses a much "gentler" solution, such patients find that eye drops doesn't burn in the ear nearly as much compared to ear drop…

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What Exactly Does a Generic Drug Mean (Opposed to Brand Name)?

Some patients are very confused by what the difference between a generic drug versus brand name drug is. From the patient perspective, they are thinking, how in the world can the same drug be called different things? Doctors answer by talking about active ingredients, patents, and copays which sometimes confuses patients even more. Well, here's to set the record straight using an analogy. So let's talk about orange juice. I consider Tropicana Orange Juice a brand name "dr…

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Generic Singulair Expected in August 2012

Why August 2012? That's when the patent for singulair, an allergy and asthma medication , goes off-patent. Generic versions of singulair should be expected soon after the patent expires. For those who don't know... generic versions of medications are much cheaper than brand name medications , but contain the same active ingredient. Here's a list of a few brand name medications relevant in the ENT world with generic names in parentheses. Flonase (fluticasone) Prilosec (omepra…

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Generic Nasacort AQ Will Be Available June 15, 2011

A generic version of Nasacort AQ will be available on June 15, 2011. Nasacort AQ is an aqueous steroid nasal spray in the treatment of allergies . Currently, flonase (fluticasone) is the only generic steroid nasal spray available. As such, the company has stopped sampling Nasacort AQ for many physician offices including ours.

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Xyzal and Clarinex Generics Now Available

Xyzal and Clarinex are both anti-histamines used to treat allergies. Both medications are now available as generics by prescription since December 2010. The active ingredient for both xyzal and clarinex are the active stereoisomer of the over-the-counter zyrtec and claritin respectively. In other words, zyrtec and claritin available over-the-counter contain the same active ingredient found in xyzal and clarinex, but in an "un-purified" state. Still confused? Read this article w…

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