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You know it’s time for a Crestor coupon when a single month’s supply of your medication costs more than your phone bill. Crestor is a cholesterol drug, prescribed to people who have or are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. But at around $200 each month, this brand-name drug’s price can be hard to swallow.
Crestor is a statin, a class of drugs that works to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Statins may also reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and other related heart health problems. They are controversial drugs, however, with research linking them to increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Still, they are very popular, with one estimate suggesting that half of all American men between the ages of 65 and 74 are taking statins.
But Crestor is far from your only option.
Save with Crestor alternatives
There is a generic form of the brand-name drug Crestor available, called rosuvastatin. You’ll pay a hefty price if you opt for Crestor over rosuvastatin — anywhere from $200 to more than $280 for a 30-day supply, but in most cases you can switch to the $60 generic version just by asking your pharmacist. If you have insurance, you may be responsible for only a small portion of these costs.
One money-saving option is to discuss other statins with your doctor. Some, such as Lipitor, also have generic versions like atorvastatin, which can cost as little as $3 for a 30-day supply when you employ methods like pill splitting and ordering several months’ worth at once.
Crestor coupons from the manufacturer
If your doctor wants you to stick with Crestor, there are still ways to save. You can currently find a savings card on the AstraZeneca website. People who are privately insured and responsible for a copay, as well as the uninsured, qualify for the savings card. How much you save depends on how much you normally pay. For instance, if you normally have a $25 copayment, you’ll pay only $18 with the savings card. If you pay cash, you can save as much as $50.
Other places to find coupons for Crestor
Many websites offer prescription savings plans and coupons, even for brand-name drugs like Crestor. GoodRx.com and Drugs.com are just a few that offer savings through multiple retailers. Many require you actually print the coupons, though, so don’t expect to simply show your phone to the cashier.
Compare costs at different pharmacies
To make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, compare prices at local and online pharmacies before you get your prescription filled. You may find one drugstore offers the same drug for $10-$20 cheaper than another just a block away. Some allow you to check prices on their websites, but you should still call to confirm the information is up to date.
Prescription drugs can be very costly — Crestor is only one example. Learning the many methods of saving can help you manage your monthly medical costs.
Elizabeth Renter is a staff writer covering health and personal finance for NerdWallet. Follow her on Twitter @ElizabethRenter and on Google+.
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