Save Money with Over-the-Counter (OTC) Heartburn Medications

OTC Heartburn Medications
Prilosec OTC™ and Omeprazole OTC

An easy way for State Health Plan members to save money is to use over-the-counter (OTC) medications instead of more costly prescriptions.  Heartburn medications are used by many members and present an excellent opportunity for cost savings. Members can take advantage of additional cost savings available from coverage of Prilosec OTC™ or its generic equivalent Omeprazole OTC. Prilosec OTC™ contains the same active ingredient that is in prescription-only Prilosec®. Both Prilosec OTC™ and Prilosec® are called proton pump inhibitors and act in the body by stopping acid production in the stomach. This helps control heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid production.

Prilosec OTC™ (and Omeprazole OTC) is priced considerably lower than the prescription version of the drug because it is available over-the-counter. It does not have the same prior authorization requirements and quantity limits as the prescription heartburn medications. Members are able to save money when purchasing Prilosec OTC™ because the copayment is only $5 for a 42-day supply of therapy.

If you are taking a prescription heartburn medication and want to try an OTC option to save money, take the following steps:


Step

Action

1

Talk to your provider to see if switching to an OTC heartburn medication will be right for you.

2

Obtain a prescription from your provider for Prilosec OTC™ or omeprazole OTC (42-count package).

3

Talk to your provider about appropriate dosing.  Higher doses of the OTC product may be needed to be as effective as your prescription product, such as Nexium or Prevacid.  If you need a dosage of 40mg, your provider must write you a prescription for Prilosec OTC™ or omeprazole 84-count (2 packages of 42).

4

Take your prescription to your pharmacist so it can be filled using your State Health Plan pharmacy benefit for the $5 copay

Be sure to check with your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about the OTC products or to see if an OTC heartburn medication may be right for you.  For a chart comparing the costs of alternative heartburn medications click here.

Members may link to the following Web site to request a free sample: Prilosec OTC .

For additional cost saving opportunities for your medications, please visit My Rx Choices.