If you suffer from severe migraines, migraine medication--both to prevent and treat the headaches--is a real necessity. But that doesn't mean you should shell out big bucks for medication without checking prices first. Avoid unreputable offers for prescription medication online. If it seems too good--or too cheap--to be true, it probably is. Your odds are better if you start with your physician and then work your way out into the neighborhood pharmacies as you check around for the best prices, or order from big-name reputable online pharmacies like Wal-Mart.
Calculating Price per Dose
Step 1
Divide the number of pills in the bottle by the number of pills per dose to get the number of doses in each bottle. So if the bottle of pills has 90 pills in it and you have to take two pills in a dose, the bottle contains 45 doses total.
Step 2
Divide the cost of the bottle by the number of doses to get the cost per dose. If the bottle costs $90 and contains 45 doses, then each dose costs $2.
Step 3
Calculate the cost-per-dose for each variety of medication you're pricing. Once you do the math, you may find that a more expensive bottle of medication is actually less expensive per dose than the seemingly cheaper bottle.
Shopping Around
Step 1
Compare prescription medications versus over-the-counter (OTC) medications. OTC medications will usually be much less expensive than prescription drugs, but the prescription drugs are usually more effective in treating moderate to severe migraines.
Step 2
Consult with your doctor about whether preventive medications might be of help to you. If he recommends using them, add the price of preventives into your calculations.
Step 3
Ask whether you can use generic versions of name-brand migraine medications--this should greatly lower the price per pill or dose.
Step 4
Check the list of medications covered under the Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club $4 prescription programs (see Resources) to see whether your migraine medications are covered. You can even order and refill prescription medications online through the Wal-Mart Online Pharmacy.
Step 5
Check with your local warehouse clubs like Costco if you're a member; some offer discounted prices on medications.
Tips and Warnings
- If money is a serious obstacle for you, and your medications are not covered under the $4 prescription plan, consider using the HRSA Clinic Finder to locate a federally funded health care center near you. These centers offer medical care on a sliding-fee scale and may be able to help you access reduced-cost prescriptions. Sometimes just taking a few minutes to call pharmacies in your area and ask how much they charge for a certain medication will save you money; pharmacy prices do vary widely.
