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Some over-the-counter medicines that may be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs

Some over-the-counter medicines that may be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs
What it is used for Sample over-the-counter brand names Generic name Price per month (US dollars) for lowest cost generic or brand
Allergies – Eye drops for itchy eyes Lastacaft Alcaftadine eye drops $16
Pataday Olopatadine eye drops $8
Alaway, Zaditor Ketotifen eye drops $11
Allergies – Nose sprays for congestion and runny nose Astepro Allergy Azelastine nasal spray $24
Flonase Fluticasone nasal spray $8
Nasacort Allergy 24Hr, GoodSense Nasal Allergy Triamcinolone $13
Nasonex 24HR Allergy Mometasone nasal spray $12
Rhinocort Allergy Spray Budesonide nasal spray $18
Allergy pills for hay fever, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes Allegra 24 Hour Fexofenadine $18 (3 months)
Claritin, Alavert, GoodSense Allergy Relief Loratadine $8 (3 months)
Zyrtec, GoodSense All Day Allergy Cetirizine $10 (12 months)
Day-after birth control pill Plan B One-Step, Option 2, My Choice, React, Take Action Levonorgestrel $8 (pack of 1)
Heartburn (frequent) and acid reflux Nexium 24Hr Esomeprazole $18 (3 months)
Prevacid 24Hr Lansoprazole $18 (3 months)
Prilosec Omeprazole $18 (3 months)
Heartburn (occasional) and indigestion Tagamet Cimetidine $22 (4 months)
Pepcid Famotidine $6 (6 months)
Laxative Miralax Polyethylene glycol $14
Pain relief patch Lidoderm Lidocaine patch $19 (pack of 20)
Always check with your doctor before switching any of your medicines. This table includes some examples of over-the-counter medicines that can be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs, if your doctor agrees. There are also many "store" brands for most of these medicines.
Data from:
  1. US Food and Drug Administration. Prescription to Over-the-Counter (OTC) Switch List. 2022. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/prescription-over-counter-otc-switch-list (Accessed on October 27, 2022).
  2. Prices are for lowest cost generic or brand over-the-counter product found by searching on Amazon.com (Accessed on October 27, 2022).
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