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High Blood Pressure Medicine Recalled by the FDA

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High blood pressure

It isn’t the first time the Food and Drug Administration has recalled high blood pressure medicine.  Over the past year, many different medications have been recalled that are typically used to treat high blood pressure. Now, the agency has expanded its recall to include even more medications used to treat hypertension. Here’s what you need to know about the latest recall.

Which High Blood Pressure Medicine is Recalled?

Torrent Pharmaceutical Limited has announced it is recalling a number of Losartan Potassium tablets. These tabs are typically used to treat hypertension as well as patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. The tablets have also been used to treat nephropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes. According to the recall, the tablets contain N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid (NMBA). NMBA is an impurity that can cause cancer.

Below are the exact tablets being recalled by Torrent and the FDA.

90 count Losartan Potassium / Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets (USP 50mg/12.5mg)

  • Batch No.: BEF7D051
  • Expiration: 11/30/2020
  • NDC: 13668-116-90

90 count Losartan Potassium / Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets (USP 100mg/25mg)

  • Batch No.: 4P04D007
  • Expiration: 07/31/2020
  • NDC: 13668-118-90

90 count Losartan Potassium Tablets (USP 100mg)

  • Batch No.: 4DU3E009
  • Expiration: 12/31/2020
  • NDC: 13668-115-90

1000 count Losartan Potassium Tablets (USP 50mg) 

  • Batch No.: 4DU2E009
  • Expiration: 12/31/2020
  • NDC: 13668-409-10

1000 count Losartan Potassium Tablets (USP 100mg)

  • Batch No.: 4DU3D018
  • Expiration: 02/28/2021
  • NDC: 13668-115-10

What to Do With Recalled Medication

If you have been taking this medication, you should continue doing so (at least until you speak with your doctor or pharmacist). Discontinuing the use of your high blood pressure medicine could cause some serious health problems. Although it is risky to take, it is much riskier to discontinue treatment altogether.

Instead, call your doctor or pharmacist to discuss alternatives to the medication. You can also contact Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited directly to report any adverse reaction or ask any questions you may have regarding the recall. To do this, you can call (800) 912-9561. To speak with someone directly, it is best to call between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. However, you can leave a voice mail 24 hours a day and they will do their best to get back to you within a reasonable time.

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Is It Ever Too Late to Get Long Term Care Insurance?

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three clocks

Certain long-term or chronic conditions require a substantial amount of care, and they can be incredibly expensive. For example, on average, assisted living facilities cost $4,000 per month ($48,000 a year). Private rooms in a nursing home run over $100,000 annually.

In many cases, standard health care coverage (including Medicare) contribute very little toward long-term care costs. As a result, long-term care insurance might be necessary to make it financially manageable. However, waiting until a critical health event occurs might make long-term care insurance impossible to obtain. If you are wondering if it can ever be too late to get long-term care insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

When It’s Too Late to Get Long-Term Care Insurance

There are instances where a person might not be eligible for long-term care insurance. Usually, this is based on the covered person’s current health, and certain conditions make them ineligible.

For example, individuals with AIDS (or AIDS-related complex), Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, metastatic cancer, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease will almost always be denied access to long-term care coverage. Similarly, anyone with a progressive neurological condition or who has had multiple strokes typically aren’t eligible.

Additionally, most insurers have a maximum age cutoff for new policies. Usually, anyone over 80 years old will be denied, though some companies may have stricter policies regarding age and others may allow those who are 80+ to get a policy, though might charge a high premium to provide the coverage.

Diagnosed With a Chronic Illness or Condition

Usually, the only time when it is definitively too late is when a person has been diagnosed with a chronic or degenerative illness or condition that is practically guaranteed to result in long-term care needs. In the eyes of insurers, that would be like giving a homeowners insurance policy to a house that was actively on fire. They just won’t do it.

Age-related denial can be a factor as well, especially for those who are 80 and older. Similarly, individuals who don’t have any of the health conditions above but are in poor health might struggle to find coverage. Most insurers require medical screenings and review applicant’s medical records. If they believe a person is too risky to cover, they simply won’t.

The Best Time to Get Long-Term Care Insurance

In many cases, long-term care insurance is easier to obtain if you are younger and in good health. Plus, your premium will be substantially lower, which can make your policy more affordable. This means that planning ahead pays off. It also ensures that you’ll have coverage in case you are diagnosed with a chronic or degenerative condition at any point in the future, as long as you pay your premiums.

However, if you are a younger adult and don’t want to commit right away, you should strongly consider it once you reach your 40s or 50s, depending on your health and financial state at that time. At times, making the decision to get insured even younger might be a smart move, particularly if your family has a history of health issues that you may experience as you age and could make it hard for you to get coverage.

 

Do you have long-term care insurance? Tell us what prompted you to get it or why you chose not to in the comments below.

 

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The Average Cancer Care Crowdfunding Page Asks For $20,000 — But They Only Receive $5,000

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Cancer care crowdfunding

People have taken to crowdfunding sites, like GoFundMe, for various reasons. Some individuals have been faced with great tragedy and need financial help. Others are looking for funding for their business. Now, individuals have been asking for cancer care crowdfunding. However, most of them aren’t getting the financial help they need.

How Much Cancer Care Costs

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is estimated that there are about 1.7 million new cases each year with 15 million Americans currently living with some form of the disease. Not only does cancer take a huge toll on patients and families emotionally, but it can also have a large impact on the patient’s finances.

Costs associated with cancer care are estimated to be around $4 million out-of-pocket for treatment (2014). During that year, somewhere in the ballpark of $87.8 billion was spent on cancer-related health care in the country. Cancer patients, their families, employers, insurance companies, and programs (Medicare and Medicaid) funded these treatments in most cases. Now, many cancer patients are turning to friends (or complete strangers) to help fund their treatment.

Cancer Care Crowdfunding

That’s right – many patients have turned to sites like GoFundMe to help fund their cancer treatment. Even though they are looking for cancer care crowdfunding, cancer patients are only raising about 25% of their overall goal.

Fundraisers to help with medical costs make up about one-third of GoFundMe’s campaigns. Usually, they raise more money than any other category on the crowdfunding site.

Researchers looked at 1,000 GoFundMe pages last year. Among the items patients needed most help with, they cited co-pays, out-of-pocket drug costs, and other medical travel expenses. Most had a goal of raising $20,000 but only raised approximately $5,000 when all was said and done.

Uninsured (or underinsured) individuals typically sought less money but also received less (just 19% of their goal). “Although the Affordable Care Act reduced the uninsured rate, cost containment measures have not been realized by all patients,” the study stated.

What Can Be Done?

Cancer care crowdfunding is a relatively new idea, but it is something that can (and has) helped some patients and their families. Arthur Caplan, founding head of the division of bioethics at NYU, said that there is another way to avoid so much money going into treatment and crowdfunding for care.

“Sadly, I think part of the reason we see so much money here is that people do want to help, but we’re operating in a kind of culture where people aren’t listening to what the experts are telling them,” he said. Meaning, many people are still engaging in activity that is known to be cancerous, not getting regular checkups, and not following the doctor’s recommendations.

If you’re one of those people, you may want to reconsider your approach. Not only could it save you a ton of money, but it could very well save your life.

Readers, what do you think about cancer care crowdfunding?

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How to Save Money on Prescription Medication

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How to Save Money on Prescription Medication

I’ve seen some tragic situations over the years when people can’t afford their meds. For example, I’ve met organ transplant patients who couldn’t pay for their anti-rejection drugs and ended up losing the organ they had struggled so hard to receive. I, myself, have dealt with some terrible withdrawal symptoms when I couldn’t access my mental health medications. Therefore, I know firsthand how important it is to learn how to save money on prescription medication.

Talk to Professionals to Save Money on Prescription Medication

The first step to take if you’re struggling to pay for your prescription medications is to ask for help. There are several different types of professionals that you can talk to about how to save money on prescription medication.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your first line of defense against expensive prescription medication is the person who prescribes the meds. Talk to your doctor. In fact, you may need to talk to multiple doctors: a general doctor, a specialist, a psychiatrist, etc.

Be very upfront with these professionals about how hard it is for you to pay for your prescription medications. Ask them what the options are. Oftentimes, they’ll be able to provide solutions. It might be as simple as changing the prescription to something more affordable that still works for you. Alternatively, they may be able to write a letter explaining to your health insurance why you need that specific medication.

Furthermore, your doctor may be able to offer samples and coupons to help you save money on prescription medication. At the very least, when your doctor knows that you are struggling, you’ll have someone there to help you manage symptoms related to not accessing your medication.

Talk to Your Pharmacist

Your pharmacist is another great resource to help you find ways to save money on prescription medications. They are familiar with all of the meds. They know what type of discounts are available, which insurance covers certain costs, and what generic versions of medications are available.

They may or may not be able to actually offer you a discount. Perhaps they’ll know of certain tricks, such as saving money by getting a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply. However, even if they can’t solve the problem, they can often point you in the right direction to find someone who can help.

Ask Your Health Insurance How to Save Money on Prescription Medication

Oftentimes, the biggest problem is that your health insurance doesn’t cover the medication that you need. Or it doesn’t pay very much of the cost. Therefore, you can go straight to your health insurance provider to get help.

If you have the option to visit your health insurance provider in person, then that’s your best bet. If not, then be prepared to wait on the phone for a significant amount of time before you reach the person who can help you. If you are persistent, they are often able to find some resolution.

You may need to discuss getting a different plan with your health insurance provider. Alternatively, they may be able to tell you what some other drug options are to reduce your costs. Then you can take that information back to your doctor to see if those medications would work for you.

Contact the Drug Manufacturer

There are certain prescription medications that are just very expensive. However, the drug manufacturers know that they have customers who can’t afford those high fees. Therefore, they often offer ways to reduce the costs of those medications.

For example, they may offer a discount program. They may provide samples or coupons. You never know unless you ask. Therefore, you should ask.

Find an Advocate

If you have tried all of these different outlets and you still can’t afford your medications, then it’s time to look for an advocate. Your therapist could be an ally in this. If you have a case manager, then they might be able to help. Alternatively, look for a lawyer, a local group, or a friend who has knowledge about how to deal with the prescription medication and health insurance industries. It helps to have someone in your corner who knows the language.

Common Ways to Save Money on Prescription Medication

Talking to professionals is your best route to save money on prescription medication. However, it helps a lot if you know what to ask for. Moreover, there are some things that you can try for yourself. Here are some of the most common ways that people save money on prescription medication:

Change the Medication

When talking to these professionals, find out if you have the option to switch to a more affordable medication. If there is a generic version of the same pill, then try that. If there’s a similar medication that’s cheaper, then try that. Always work with your doctor when switching meds, of course.

Change the Amount of Medication

Sometimes you can save money on prescription medication just by changing the number of pills that you order. A 60-day or 90-day supply may be cheaper per pill than a 30-day supply. Furthermore, it can reduce the number of times you pay a co-pay.

Also, ask about getting a stronger dose that you can split in half. For example, get a prescription for 45 days of a pill that’s twice the strength you need then cut those in half and you have medication for 90 days.

Shop with Coupons

Drug manufacturers offer coupons to reduce the cost of medications. You can also sometimes find other coupons online for various meds. Take a look at what’s out there before you pay full price.

Shop Around with a Tool Like GoodRx

How much you pay for your prescriptions depends on a variety of factors. One of those is the location where you buy the pills. Therefore, you can save money on prescription medication just by shopping around. You can use a comparison shopping tool such as GoodRx to easily find the least expensive option near you for the medications that you need. You may discover that you need to visit a few different pharmacies to get the best price if you have multiple prescriptions. Given the high cost of meds, that can be well worth the effort.

Make Sure You Have the Right Health Insurance

If you haven’t reviewed your health insurance options recently then make sure that you do so. Find out whether you have the right plan in terms of the medications they cover, your co-pays, and your monthly payment. Moreover, see if you qualify for any low-income programs in your area to help you save money on prescription medications. In addition to Medicare/Medicaide, there are often state programs that help pay the premiums and/or co-pays for people with limited income.

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Psychological Association Warns Against Blaming Mental Illness For Mass Shootings

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Mass shootings

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued a statement warning against blaming mental illness for all mass shootings. Following two major shootings this weekend, politicians, including the President of the United States, made statements about gun control and violence. Trump called the shooters “mentally ill monsters,” but the APA believes people with mental illness are being stigmatized.

Mass Shootings Doesn’t Equate Mental Illness

On Monday, Trump called for heavier mental health screenings. He stated that mental illness and hatred pull the trigger and even played with the idea of involuntary mental health treatment for some individuals.

“We must reform our mental health laws to better identify mentally disturbed individuals who may commit acts of violence,” he said, “and make sure those people, not only get treatment but when necessary, involuntary confinement.”

Many other members of the Republican party agreed with the president. Senator Chris Murphy, however, took to Twitter correcting POTUS.

The APA stated that “the overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent and far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of violence.” Anything saying otherwise, according to the association, can discourage people from getting the help they need. It can also embolden individuals with mental health issues to act violently.

Is There An Answer To Ending Gun Violence?

“The rates of mental illness are roughly the same around the world, yet other countries are not experiencing these traumatic events as often as we face them. One critical factor is access to, and the lethality of, the weapons that are being used in these crimes. Adding racism, intolerance and bigotry to the mix is a recipe for disaster,” Rosie Phillips David, president of the APA said.

So, while increasing mental health screenings for individuals purchasing guns may be a good idea, it won’t necessarily cut down on the number of mass shootings we see in a year. It is also unlikely to help cut down on other types of gun violence occurring in the country.

The only possible “fix” to the problem is reforming our laws surrounding firearms. All in all, further regulation is needed instead of placing blame where it simply does not belong.

Readers, what do you think about the APA’s warning against blaming mental illness for mass shootings? Is it accurate?

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Why Intermittent Fasting May Not Be Great For Your Health

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Intermittent fasting

The weight loss industry makes billions of dollars a year from Americans attempting to lose a few pounds. Some individuals have combated this billion-dollar industry with trying things like intermittent fasting. Of course, you’ll spend less money on food when you simply don’t eat for a certain period of time, but at what cost?

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is something people do to increase their metabolism, lose weight, and possibly even reduce inflammation. To perform this type of fasting, you go without food for a set period of time every day. During this time, you can only drink water.

Many people fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window. So, if you start eating at 8 a.m., you’d only eat until 4 p.m. Then you’d fast again until 8 a.m. the next day.

Others use something called the 5:2 method. This means fives days out of the week you eat a normal number of calories. The other two days you have a restricted caloric intake (usually between 500 and 600 calories).

Dangers of Fasting

Billions of people worldwide fast for various reasons, including weight loss. However, many extreme diets or going without eating altogether can have some positive (and negative) impacts on your physical and mental health. More recently, the negative impacts of intermittent fasting have come to light.

Cons of Fasting

“Intermittent fasting is a gateway to an eating disorder,” Evelyn Tribole, registered dietitian and co-author of Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works stated. Oftentimes, when you get used to not eating, you just stop eating. Some individuals may fall into habits that lead to developing an eating disorder.

At the same time, those who don’t fall into anorexia may find themselves binge eating when they come off their fast. They may do really well for a few weeks, then when they stop their fasting period, they binge and gain the weight back, which can be just as harmful. Most importantly, you lose touch with your body’s ability to know when you need food and when you don’t.

On top of how intermittent fasting can change your relationship with food, it can also impact your social life. Many people who have done this type of fasting note that the social side effects were what almost broke them in the beginning. It is more difficult to go out with friends for a bite to eat when you don’t eat most of the day. Also, not all your friends and family will agree with you just not eating.

Pros of Fasting

That being said, there are plenty of benefits to intermittent fasting. Some individuals find that during periods of fasting they are able to think more clearly and feel happier. Additionally, most people who perform any type of fasting see some weight loss results, though they vary from person to person.

As with any extreme change in your lifestyle, be sure to consult with your physician before fasting or adopting any new diet.

Readers, have you tried intermittent fasting or any other kind of fasting? How did it impact you? 

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