Prescription items that are cheaper over the counter

nwc389

My 21 year old son uses the ventolin inhaler for his asthma and is only prescribed one inhaler per prescription so that is £8.05 for one - the same inhaler can be bought over the counter in europe for around 2.5 euros
He has his asthma check up regularly and takes a preventer but I must admit I buy a few inhalers each time we go away because he is a blooming nightmare for losing them / leaving them in his sports bag in his mates car / forgetting to re-order his prescription .
It is a huge price difference though

pixtotts

Opposite way round but I was kindly told by the pharmacist to go to the doctor for a prescription for curanail treatment rather than buying it OTC.
For a toe nail you need enough to apply several times a week for around a year... which apparently works out at about 2 bottles depending on how severe the case is could be more ! They are £24 for 3ml. So your looking at nearly £50 if your lucky.
Doctor gave me a prescription for 2 bottles in one go so I got both of mine for 1 prescription charge (it's been a while since I got a prescription I assume it still works the same way? You just pay the once for multiples?) Exactly same stuff just has a sticker with my name on on the box... crazy isn't it.
Very grateful to the pharmacist that told me x

chocaholicmanc

I take 2 different asthma inhalers and I always ask my Dr to give me more than one on the prescription. Last time she gave me 4 of each! Saved me a fortune.

It's also a problem because I can't take the generic brand, I have to have the named Ventolin. Something in the generic one makes me hyper so I have to be super specific at the Docs.

Have to say pharmacists have always told me in the past if my prescription is cheaper to buy OTC

pipstar

Its annoying when some doctors give you 100 tablets and others give you 30 and you pay the same prescription charge. I was taking 8 tablets a day so 30 tablets would last only 4 days.

System

Just to balance things I get prescribed GTN cream. I am glad I would only need to pay the NHS cost as each 10g tube would otherwise cost £83.

(I have a pre-payment cert so that covers the cost)

sazaccount

I'm very thankful for the pre-payment system I have 3/4 prescriptions a month and for around £30 for 3 months (I can't remember the cost) it saves ALOT of money.

I'm on a forum on FB and surprised on how many people don't know about it and paying so much during the month especially when the doctors keep changing medications to try and get the correct dosage/combination

broasis

Any of the following that you get on prescription are also available over the counter much cheaper than the brand or the prescription:

Cetirizine (Zirtek)
Loratadine (Piriton)
Chlorphenamine (Piriton)
Loperamide (Imodium)
Aciclovir (Zovirax)
Hydrocortisone Cream
Clotrimazole Cream (Canesten Cream)
Fluconazole capsules (Canesten Capsules)
Beclomethasone Spray (Beconase)

There are loads more! Just ask the pharmicist before you buy because you can save a fortune. Or look online. I used to work in a pharmacy and these are jsut the first ones that spring to mind, but there are loads more.

Hope this helps...

Armchair23

nwc389 wrote: »

My 21 year old son uses the ventolin inhaler for his asthma and is only prescribed one inhaler per prescription so that is £8.05 for one - the same inhaler can be bought over the counter in europe for around 2.5 euros
He has his asthma check up regularly and takes a preventer but I must admit I buy a few inhalers each time we go away because he is a blooming nightmare for losing them / leaving them in his sports bag in his mates car / forgetting to re-order his prescription .
It is a huge price difference though

Just a thought here YOUR 21 YEAR OLD SON !

Leave him to sort this himself that's very much part of becoming an adult.
I know you're being a loving parent but that includes letting him work out what happens when you're a bit careless.

janelondon14

j.e.j. wrote: »

If you go through a reputable retailer, like amazon UK, you should be ok. But you're right I wouldn't just google and buy something randomly.

Not only Amazon, what about Pharmac2u, Medcare2go, Chemistdirrect and so on. UK based and very cheap with OTC and prescription medicines. Cheers.

System

Last year, when I was unwell before I was diagnosed with gallstones, I had severe constipation and gp prescribed me along with two other medications, suppositories I asked the pharmacist, could I buy them as they were £2.25. Said yes and got the other two.

If you get prescriptions for free for any reason or like me as I now have a season ticket, I would get the suppositories on prescription