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Treating Cholesterol: Generics are good medicine
If you have high cholesterol, you may be taking a medication called a "statin", also known by brand names Lipitor®, Vytorin® or Zocor®. While these medications are effective in treating cholesterol and heart disease – they also come with a hefty price tag, says James Slater, Pharm.D., with Providence Health Plan. "Brand-name statins can cost from $49 to $100 a month," says Slater. "Most people who take statins must do so for years – and those costs can add up."
Fortunately, generic versions of these statins are now available. For high cholesterol, Slater recommends talking to your doctor about Simvastatin. "Simvastatin works the same as Zocor, but costs just $12.95 for a month's supply," says Slater. "Plus, it's been recently listed as a Best Buy drug for effectiveness, safety and cost by Consumer Reports."
If you are currently taking a prescribed statin medication, talk to your doctor about switching to a generic. Providence Health Plan members can also call 503-574-7400 about receiving a coupon for a free prescription for Simvastatin.
Providence Health BalanceSM
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