A. Now that Wal-Mart is offering a one month supply of some generic drugs for only $4 in select areas, many parents, especially those who don't have a prescription drug plan that pays for low cost generics, are wondering if Wal-Mart includes any pediatric medications...
Unfortunately, many of the medications on the Wal-Mart generic drug program are for adults.
There are some that are sometimes used in pediatrics though, including (but not limited to):
- Albuterol 0.5% Neb Solution and Syrup for asthma attacks
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil) for strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections, etc.
- Antipyrine, benzocaine ear drops for ear pain
- Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment
- Bactrim susp and tablets for UTIs, etc.
- Cephalexin capsules
- Clonidine tablets
- Dexamethasone tablets for croup, asthma, poison ivy, etc.
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) capsules for depression
- Gentamicin ophthalmic solution
- Hydrocortisone cream for eczema and itchy rashes
- Loratadine tablets and syrup for allergies
- Methylyprednisone tablets and dosepak for croup, asthma, poison ivy, etc.
- Nystatin cream and ointment for yeast infections
- Penicillin VK for strep throat
- generic Polytrim ophthalmic solution
- Prednisone for croup, asthma, poison ivy, etc.
- Tobramycin ophthalmic solution
- Triamcinolone cream and ointment for eczema and itchy rashes
Other commonly used generic drugs that aren't on the Wal-Mart drug plan, but may still save you money versus non-generic, brand name medicines, include:
Generic Antibiotics
In addition to Amoxicillin, there are quite a few generic antibiotics available these days. Unfortunately, not all of them are available in a suspension form for younger kids.- Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Acid (Augmentin ES)
- Azithromycin (Zithromax)
- Cefadroxil (Duricef)
- Cefprozil (Cefzil)
- Cefuroxime (Ceftin) tablets only
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Cepodoxime (Vantin) tablets only
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Erythromycin (E.E.S.)
- Minocycline (Minocin)
- Mupirocin (Bactroban) ointment only
Generic Eczema Medicines
Newer eczema medicines, such as Elidel and Protopic, aren't available as generics yet. Fortunately, most steroid medicines used to treat eczema flares are available as generics, including:- Fluticasone 0.05% cream (Cutivate)
- Hydrocortizone Valerate 0.2% cream (Westcort)
- Mometasone Furoate 0.1% (Elocon)
Other Generic Medicines
Other drugs that are commonly used in pediatrics, in addition to the ones that are on the Wal-Mart generic drug plan include:- Ciclopirox cream and susp (Loprox) antifungal
- Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
- Econazole nitrate cream (Spectazole) antifungal
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Neosporin ophthalmic ointment
- Ofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic soln (Ocuflox)
- Polythylene Glycol (for constipation)
- Prednisolone (Prelone)
Generic Allergy and Asthma Medicines
Since kids typically have both allergies and asthma and need to be treated with multiple medications for good control of their symptoms, parents usually appreciate any help with the expense of these medications. Unfortunately, once Claritin went over-the-counter, many insurance companies stopped paying for prescription allergy medicines and there are few if any generic asthma medications, especially asthma controller medicines. Generic allergy and asthma medications do include:- Albuterol MDI
- Albuterol HFA
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
- Fluticasone Nasal Spray (Flonase)
Generic Acne Medicines
Many teens are prescribed 2 or 3 medicines to help get their acne under control, which can get expensive. Although there are many newer medications, like Benzaclin, Differin, Tazorac, and Retin A Micro gel, you might ask your pediatrician if you could start your child's treatment with older medicines that are now generic, including:- Erythromycin/Benzoyl Peroxide gel (Benzamycin)
- Tretinion cream (Retin A)
Generic ADHD Medicines
The newer ADHD medicines, including Adderall XR, Concerta, Focalin XR, and Strattera, are good examples of when it can pay to go with a non-generic medication, since they offer a very real benefit of working for 10 to 12 hours versus the generics, which have to be taken at least twice a day:- D-Amphetamine Salt Combo (Adderall)
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- Methylin ER (Ritalin SR)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Methylphenidate CR
Non-Generic Drugs
More expensive, and sometimes newer, medicines that your pediatrician may be prescribing lately can include:- Advair Diskus and Advair HFA
- Axid
- Astelin Nasal Spray
- Azmacort
- Ciprodex
- Clarinex
- Floxin Otic
- Flovent HFA
- Locoid Lipocream
- Nasonex
- Omnicef
- Prevacid
- Pulmicort
- Quixin
- Rhinocort Aqua
- Singulair
- Suprax
- Vigamox
- Xopenex and Xopenex HFA
- Zymar
- Zyrtec
For other conditions, such as acne, allergies, eczema, and some infections, you might ask your doctor if a less expensive generic drug is available to treat your child.
New Generics
New drugs become available all of the time, as drugs either go off patent or lose their patents. Unfortunately, this process can take time as drug companies fight to keep their drugs from going to generic. For example, cefdinir (Omnicef) was approved as a generic in May 2006, but it is thought that they will fight to keep their patent, even as it it expires in May 2007.The whole process of going from brand name to generic drug is also illustrated in the current fight by drug companies over Adderall XR...
A generic version of Zyrtec syrup (cetirizine) should be available soon.
