Top 10 Most Common Generic Medications

1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Drug Class: Statins

30-Day Price^*: $10/All Strengths
90-Day Price^*: $20/All Strengths

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin used to treat high cholesterol.  Before its release as generic atorvastatin in 2011, it was considered the top drug by sales for most of the previous decade.  It is still one of the most commonly prescribed statins.

2. Lisinopril (Zestril)

Drug Class: ACE Inhibitors

30-Day Price: $5/All Strengths

90-Day Price: $10/All Strengths

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and in combination with other medications to treat heart failure.  Lisinopril was the third ACE inhibitor to become available.  It may be more convenient than some other options because it is longer acting, meaning you only need to take one tablet per day rather than two or three.

3. Albuterol (Accuneb, Ventolin, Proair, Proventil)

Drug Class: Short-Acting Beta Agonists

30-Day Price: $30/#10/0.083%

90-Day Price: Call for Availability & Pricing/0.083%

Albuterol (Accuneb, Ventolin, Proair, Proventil) is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems such as asthma. It’s a quick-relief medication and works by relaxing muscles in the lungs.

4. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Unithroid, Levoxyl, Levo-T, Euthyrox)

Drug Class: Thyroxines

30-Day Price: Call for Prices/All**

90-Day Price: Call for Prices/All**

Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Unithroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid) is a synthetically prepared thyroid hormone that can improve thyroid deficiency symptoms.  There are several brand and generic levothyroxine choices available; however, they aren’t interchangeable.

5. Amlodipine (Norvasc, Amvaz)

Drug Class: Calcium Channel Blockers

30-Day Price: $5/All**

90-Day Price: $10/All**

Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).  It is one of the most common heart meds and is on the WHO list of essential medicines for basic health care.  It became available as generic amlodipine in 2007 and is one of the most inexpensive generics in the US.

6. Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Drug Class: Anti-Epileptics

30-Day Price: Call for Prices/All**

90-Day Price: Call for Prices/All**

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy (seizures) in adults and nerve pain.

7. Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Drug Class: Proton Pump Inhibitors

30-Day Price: $5/20mg

90-Day Price: $10/20mg

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach, like ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It’s the most commonly used — and least expensive — compared to other PPIs like Nexium or Prevacid.

8. Metformin (Glucophage)

Drug Class: Biguanides

30-Day Price: $5/All**

90-Day Price: $10/All**

Metformin (Glucophage) is a biguanide used in combination with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.  It is a first-line drug, meaning it is often tried before other treatment options, and it may be used alone or with other medications. Metformin is believed to be the most widely prescribed diabetes medication in the world, and it is available as a very inexpensive generic in the US.

9. Losartan (Cozaar)

Drug Class: ARB’s

30-Day Price: $15/All**

90-Day Price: $30/All**

Losartan (Cozaar) is an ARB used to treat high blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, and slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes.  Losartan is also available in a combination pill with diuretic hydrochlorothiazide.

10. Metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor)

Drug Class: Beta Blocker

30-Day Price: $10/All**

90-Day Price: $20/All**

Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain) and improve survival after a heart attack.  Metoprolol also is used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure.  Metoprolol is in a class of drugs called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

^*Prices reflect a 30-day (30 tablets/capsules) and 90-day (90 tablets/capsules) supply unless otherwise noted

^**The price may vary on one or more of the medication’s strengths due to our wholesalers’ cost changes. We will always do our best to find you the highest quality, lowest cost generics.

-Alyna Smith, Pharm.D.