Nose for news
If you’re one of the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, here’s some good news: Flonase, the nasal spray to treat allergic and nonallergic nasal symptoms, is now available in generic form, fluticasone.

Because fluticasone costs just $10 for a 30-day supply, asking your doctor for the generic form could save you $20 at your local pharmacy.

Use Prime Therapeutics to save even more money. A 90-day supply through the mail-order company costs just $20.

Step therapy
Two new drugs have been added to the city’s Step Therapy Program for certain prescription drugs: Mobic and Zyflo.

Mobic relieves inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis. Zyflo is a leukotriene inhibitor used for seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma prevention.

Under the Step Therapy Program, for drugs in the five categories below, your doctor must consider alternative medications before moving on to higher-cost brand-name ones. The alternative medications are usually generic drugs that have been tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If the first drug your doctor prescribes doesn’t alleviate your symptoms, then the doctor will prescribe the next drug in that category. This will probably be more expensive and will require a higher copayment.

Step therapy drug categories
• COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex, Bextra and Mobic (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
• Leukotrienes for asthma, such as Accolate, Singulair and Zyflo
• Rheumatoid arthritis drugs, such as Enbrel, Humira and Kineret
• ACE inhibitors, such as Accupril, Mavik, Altace and Aceon
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as Avapro, Atacand, Cozaar and Diovan

HMO Blue Texas periodically reviews covered drugs and may modify the Step Therapy Program.