Some over-the-counter medicines that may be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs

What it is used for	Sample over-the-counter brand names	Generic name	Price per month (US dollars) for lowest cost generic or brand
Allergies – Eye drops for itchy eyes	Lastacaft	Alcaftadine eye drops	$19
	Pataday	Olopatadine eye drops	$13
	Alaway, Zaditor	Ketotifen eye drops	$10
Allergies – Nose sprays for congestion and runny nose	Astepro Allergy	Azelastine nasal spray	$18
	Flonase	Fluticasone nasal spray	$8
	Nasacort Allergy 24Hr, GoodSense Nasal Allergy	Triamcinolone	$13
	Nasonex 24HR Allergy	Mometasone nasal spray	$17
	Rhinocort Allergy Spray	Budesonide nasal spray	$15
Allergy pills for hay fever, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes	Allegra 24 Hour	Fexofenadine	$19 (3 months)
	Claritin, Alavert, GoodSense Allergy Relief	Loratadine	$6 (3 months)
	Zyrtec, GoodSense All Day Allergy	Cetirizine	$10 (12 months)
Birth control pill	Opill	Norgestrel	$20 (1 month) $50 (3 months)
Day-after birth control pill	Plan B One-Step, Option 2, My Choice, React, Take Action	Levonorgestrel	$8 (pack of 1)
Heartburn (frequent) and acid reflux	Nexium 24Hr	Esomeprazole	$19 (3 months)
	Prevacid 24Hr	Lansoprazole	$20 (3 months)
	Prilosec	Omeprazole	$20 (3 months)
Heartburn (occasional) and indigestion	Tagamet	Cimetidine	$8 (6 months)
Heartburn (occasional) and indigestion	Pepcid	Famotidine	$10 (6 months)
Laxative	Miralax	Polyethylene glycol	$18
Pain relief patch	Lidoderm	Lidocaine patch	$30 (pack of 30)

Always check with your doctor before switching any of your medicines. This table includes some examples of over-the-counter medicines that can be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs, if your doctor agrees. There are also many "store" brands for most of these medicines.

Data from:

Prescription to Nonprescription Switch List. US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/prescription-nonprescription-switch-list (Accessed on August 2, 2024).
Prices are for lowest cost generic or brand over-the-counter product found by searching on Amazon.com (Accessed on August 2, 2024).

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Some over-the-counter medicines that may be used instead of more expensive prescription drugs