What’s the Buzz

Please note that these prices are subject to change. Pricing calculated on 12/15/21.

1. Amoxicillin

Type of Drug: Penicillin antibiotic

Use: To treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, skin, urinary tract, lower respiratory tract. It can also be used in combination with clarithromycin to treat Helicobacter pylori infection in the gastrointestinal tract (H. pylori infection).

Dosage forms: Tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, oral suspension

Common side effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash

Warning: Amoxicillin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking the medication and get emergency medical attention if you develop a severe rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat and face.

Pharmacist Tip: Do not stop taking amoxicillin until you complete your prescription. You might start to feel better after a few days of antibiotic treatment, but your infection will not be completely gone. If you don’t finish the entire course of antibiotics, bacterial resistance may occur. Meaning, the bacteria change and develop the ability to defeat the antibiotics designed to kill them. These bacteria can then survive and multiply even in the presence of an antibiotic. This is a serious public health problem.

2. Meclizine

Type of Drug: Antihistamine, anticholinergic antiemetic 

Use: To treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness and vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness caused by ear problems)

Dosage forms: Tablet

Common side effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision

Warning: This medication can make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that requires you to be fully alert until you know how it affects you.

Pharmacist Tip: Meclizine can enhance the drowsiness effect of alcohol, certain over-the-counter products, and prescription drugs. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are elderly. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking meclizine with other medications. 

3. Folic Acid

Type of Drug: B-vitamin, dietary supplement

Use: To treat certain types of low red blood cell counts (anemia) caused by folic acid deficiency

Dosage forms: Tablet, injectable solution

Common side effects: Stomach pain, nausea, bitter taste, loss of appetite, sleep problems 

Warning: Supplementation with folic acid can make it hard to determine the exact cause of your anemia (folic acid vs. vitamin B12 deficiency). 

Pharmacist Tip: Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, including folic acid as blood tests are necessary before deciding if folic acid is right for you.

4. Escitalopram

Type of Drug: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant

Use: To treat depression and anxiety

Dosage forms: Tablet, oral solution

Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, sleep problems, tiredness, dry mouth 

Warning: This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in young adults under 24 years of age. Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Pharmacist Tip: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly because this can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will help you taper off the dose safely.

5. Amlodipine Besylate

Type of Drug: Calcium channel blocker

Use: To treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain)

Dosage forms: Tablet

Common side effects: Swelling, flushing, dizziness, increased heart rate

Warning: This medication can cause low blood pressure and dizziness when you change posture, such as going from lying down to standing. Arise slowly and sit with your feet resting on the floor for a few seconds before standing up.

Pharmacist Tip: It can take about a week to get the full effect of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you don’t see an improvement in your blood pressure numbers with home measurement after a week of treatment. 

6. Prednisone

Type of Drug: Corticosteroid

Use: To treat a wide range of conditions, including autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and swelling

Dosage forms: Tablet, dose pack, oral solution

Common side effects: High blood pressure, high blood sugar, swelling, stomach pain, muscle weakness, trouble sleeping

Warning: Long-term use of this medication, especially at high doses, can weaken the bones and increase the risk of fractures.

Pharmacist Tip: If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, it is important to check your blood pressure and blood sugar more often during treatment with this medication.

7. Lisinopril 

Type of Drug: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Use: To treat high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attack

Dosage forms: Tablet

Common side effects: Dizziness, dry cough, headache, low blood pressure

Warning: This medication can cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy.

Pharmacist Tip: Keep all your appointments with your doctor.  You will need blood tests to check your kidney function and potassium levels while on this medication.

8. Hydrochlorothiazide

Type of Drug: Thiazide diuretic (water pill)

Use: To treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (fluid retention)

Dosage forms: Tablet, capsule

Common side effects: Dizziness, low blood pressure, low potassium, photosensitivity (sun sensitivity)

Warning: Water pills can make you pee a lot, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Tell your doctor if you experience signs and symptoms such as dry mouth, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, or increased heart rate.

Pharmacist Tip: Taking your water pill in the morning will make it less likely that you will have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate.

9. Furosemide

Type of Drug: Loop diuretic (water pill)

Use: To treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (swelling)

Dosage forms: Tablet, oral solution, injection solution

Common side effects: Dizziness, headache, low blood pressure with sudden posture changes, photosensitivity (sun sensitivity)

Warning: This medication should be used with caution in people with liver disease. Keep all your doctors’ appointments if you are on this medicine and have a history of liver problems. Your doctors may order lab tests or prescribe potassium supplements or other medications to prevent electrolyte imbalance.

Pharmacist Tip: This medication can make you sunburn more easily, so be sure to use adequate sun protection.

10. Citalopram

Type of Drug: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant

Use: To treat depression

Dosage forms: Tablet, oral solution

Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, sleep problems, sweating, shakiness (tremor)

Warning: Taking this medication with other drugs that raise serotonin levels can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Give your doctor a complete list of all your medications. Get immediate medical help if you notice a fast heart rate, sweating, confusion, fever, muscle spasms, or stiffness.

Pharmacist Tip: It can take several weeks to see the benefits of this antidepressant medication. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first. 

BuzzRx coupons can get you the best prices on generic drugs and brand-name prescription medications at retail pharmacies. This can help to make medication prices affordable if you do not have prescription drug coverage as part of your health insurance coverage or if a medication is not covered. To pay the lowest cash prices, all you have to do is give your BuzzRx discount coupon or card at the counter when you drop off your prescription at the retail pharmacy.