7 Tips for Getting Lumigan for Less

Category: Drug Information

Author

Posted on June 20, 2022

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.



Lumigan

Did you know that around 18 million Americans are unable to afford their prescription medications? Even more astonishingly, approximately 19% of individuals with an annual income under $24,000 can't afford their medications. 

Lumigan is a medication that helps many Americans with debilitating eye disorders. Without it, there are risks of losing vision and long-term complications. If you take Lumigan, or your doctor has suggested you use it, you may wonder how you can save the most money. 

Here's a sneak peek: shopping through online Canadian pharmacies is one of the best cost-saving methods for your prescription refills. Luckily, we have put together a complete guide that will go over what Lumigan is and seven ways you can save money. Keep reading on for more information!

What Is Lumigan?

Lumigan is a prescription medication for glaucoma. It only comes in eye drops and requires a physician's script for use. How does Lumigan work?

It contains the active ingredient bimatoprost. When used as an ophthalmic solution, bimatoprost reduces intraocular pressure in patients who have:

  • Open-angle glaucoma
  • Ocular hypertension

The solution comes in two different strengths: 0.01 and 0.03 percent. It is a once-daily prescription with studies showing that 0.01% was comparable to 0.03% solutions and is the gold-standard prescription strength dosage in the United States. It can be used independently or with oral prescription medications. 

Is Lumigan Worth It?

Lumigan has been on the market for over two decades and is a widely used medication for patients with glaucoma. It is often prescribed as a front-line treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma. Lumigan works by limiting glaucoma progression and ocular hypertension. 

Globally, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness, making Lumigan a necessary prescription! Now that you know the benefits of Lumigan and why it is worth it, there are some side effects to be aware of, such as:

  • Eye redness
  • Itching
  • Increased eyelash growth
  • Eye color changes

More severe side effects are swelling, discomfort, or vision changes. For the best results, follow your physician's advice and never apply more than your prescribed dosage. 

How Much Does Lumigan Cost?

In the United States, Lumigan costs $246.36 for a 2.5 ml bottle. Why is it so expensive? For starters, the United States does not regulate prescription costs. 

A lack of maximum price caps and market competition can drive prices upward. Here are some tips on how you can start saving money on your glaucoma medication!

1. Shop Online

Prescription medications are often cheaper online because you have various options and shipments. For example, PricePro Pharmacy dispenses medications from Canada, but shipments also come from:

  • U.K.
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • Turkey
  • India

These countries may have options for lower prescription prices. Choosing online shopping gives you more options for discounts, and you save money on travel expenses to local pharmacies. 

2. Buy Prescription Drugs in Bulk

Sometimes, purchasing more of a drug can lower medication costs and avoid frequent refills. It is not always an available option, but it is something you should check out. If you take the advice of shopping online and combine it with buying in bulk, you could also avoid potential shipment costs. 

Typically, Lumigan comes in three different sizes: 2.5 ml, 3 ml, and 5 ml. Check into prices for three or five ml for the most savings!

3. Check for Generic Prescription Medications

In many instances, generic prescription medications are cheaper than brand-name versions. The generic version of Lumigan is bimatoprost ophthalmic. Are generic versions the same as a brand name?

In short - yes! Lumigan and bimatoprost ophthalmic have the same active ingredient and mechanism of action. There are two primary differences between generic and brand-name medications:

  • Cost 
  • Inactive ingredients

Both medications must pass federal regulations and laws that prove safe for human use. However, there is a chance you may have an allergic reaction to an inactive ingredient in one product versus the other. The chances are slim, but it is best to talk to your doctor beforehand about switching.

Otherwise, generic medications can cost nearly 30% to 95% less than its counterpart! That can add up to thousands of dollars in savings with this one simple medication cost savings tip.

4. Patient Assistance Programs

Patient assistance programs are sometimes offered by the manufacturer of your prescription medication. The best way to go about this is to ask your doctor about any programs available. They may provide you with a rebate code that you will enter online.

If your physician doesn't know about any patient assistance programs, visit their site. However, these financial assistance programs have specific criteria and might not work for the entirety of your prescription refills. Some companies may offer financial aid for up to a certain amount or a given number of months. 

5. Check for Rebates and Discounts

Sometimes, pharmacies will have their rebates and discounts available. This might save you money on your initial prescription purchase. PricePro Pharmacies offers discounts for:

  • First time customers
  • Bonus R.X. coupons

Check the site for special discounts offered on Lumigan prescriptions. With discount R.X. coupons, you will find savings anywhere from $10 to $20 on average. Combined with 80% cheaper prices than United States' prescription costs and these two cost-savings options add up in the long run!

6. Shop Through Online Canadian Pharmacies

With that said, shopping through your Northern neighbor could offer you the most benefit. Not only are Canadian pharmacy prices significantly cheaper than online or local pharmacies in the United States, but the entire process of refilling, purchasing, and receiving your medication is simple!

On average, per capita prescription costs average $1,126 in the United States. Compared to other countries, the average per capita spending is around $552. 

How does Canada keep prices lower?

Medication costs are primarily regulated through the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). The PMPRB monitors global prescription drug markets and sets price caps. The United States is not included in averaging drug prices in Canada because of its costly market. 

Are the savings worth it by shopping through Canada? On average, U.S. prices are 256% more than other countries. 

Compared to Canada, U.S. drug prices are 218% more. If you use medications for long periods, you could save significantly more shopping through Canada. 

7. Lumigan Alternatives

Another route to saving money on your prescriptions is looking at drug alternatives. There are two primary Lumigan alternatives on the market:

  • Latanoprost ophthalmic
  • Xalatan

Both are prescription drugs used to treat glaucoma, including open-angle and intraocular hypertension. Xalatan tends to have higher ratings overall compared to latanoprost ophthalmic and Lumigan. However, its cost might not outweigh its benefits for you. 

In the United States, Xalatan costs over $102 per unit. Latanoprost ophthalmic averages around $10.41 per unit. The reason for this difference is primarily because Xalatan is the brand-name version and contains the active ingredient latanoprost. 

However, if you utilize some of the tips and tricks noted above, you can check out these alternatives on PricePro Pharmacy. Let's look at Xalatan prices first. 

PricePro Pharmacy has Xalatan listed at $40 for a 2.5 ml solution. Switching to latanoprost will save you around $8. Higher ml bottles, such as the 15 ml solution, saves you almost 50% compared to Xalatan 15 ml solutions. 

Is Shopping Through an Online Canadian Pharmacy Safe?

Many patients shopping for cheaper prescriptions wonder if using an online Canadian pharmacy is safe. Shopping online is entirely safe if you use a reputable and qualified pharmacy. 

Medications dispensed from Canada must also undergo strict regulations and processing, ensuring their safety. Additionally, you cannot purchase these medications without a prescription. It is a red flag if you find an online pharmacy that neglects this critical piece! 

Here are some other tips to keep you safe while shopping online:

  • Check credentials
  • Check medication information
  • Ask about verification

Once you upload your prescription, a licensed pharmacist will review it and authorize your purchase. This process completely limits people ordering prescriptions if they don't have a valid script. Once you have uploaded your prescription and it is approved, you simply select your dosage and fill in your billing information!

Saving Money on Your Lumigan Prescription

Have you wondered how you can save money on your next Lumigan prescription? While it costs over $200 in the United States, you can pay a fraction of that price on PricePro Pharmacy. Prices will change based on dosage and strength, but it is worth checking out for yearly savings. 

And if you want to try an alternative medication because of adverse side effects or higher costs, ask your doctor about swapping to different glaucoma medications. Luckily, online Canadian pharmacies have multiple prescription drugs available at affordable prices. 

Check out our glaucoma medication for more information on getting started!

Works Cited

https://www.canada.ca/en/patented-medicine-prices-review.html

https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html

https://www.drugs.com/lumigan.html#side-effects

https://www.drugs.com/compare/lumigan

https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/how-do-prescription-drug-costs-in-the-united-states-compare-to-other-countries/#Per%20capita%20prescribed%20medicine%20spending,%20U.S.%20dollars,%202004-2019

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576421/

https://pharmanewsintel.com/news/us-prescription-drug-prices-256-higher-than-other-countries

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/canadian-pharmacy-online-coupons/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/faq/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/lumigan/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/xalatan/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/what-you-should-know-before-buying-from-online-pharmacies/

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-09-22/18-million-americans-cant-pay-for-needed-meds

https://www.verywellhealth.com/generic-drug-safety-and-effectiveness-1738890

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