Prescription medication in the United States is expensive, which is why approximately one in four Americans struggle to afford their prescriptions. Due to this, most people find themselves forced to skip a refill, and in most cases, missing a prescription can worsen their medical condition. Although medications are still expensive, here are four things you can do to lower some of these costs and access the medical care that you need.

Sign up for a pharmacy discount card.

If you’re among the 66% of adult Americans on prescription medication, you probably know how expensive these drugs are. Because of this, most Americans struggle to get access to their medication at a price they can afford. Luckily, prescription savings cards allow patients to access their medication at affordable prices. Prescription discount cards can also be used to purchase medication that’s not covered by your health insurance plan.

Nearly 30 million men in the U.S. suffer from erectile dysfunction or impotence, which explains the popularity of drugs like Viagra. Viagra, or sildenafil, is a common drug that is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. Besides proving effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra also is used to manage the symptoms of cardiovascular disease and an enlarged prostate.

Viagra is an extremely costly drug because it was the only prescription drug available on the market for the treatment of erectile dysfunction until the FDA approved the brand Cialis in 2003. Due to the high cost of the brand Viagra, more people are looking for generic Viagra for sale. With your prescription discount card, you can also purchase brand Viagra.

Please note that Viagra is sold as an extra-strength prescription medicine because its interaction with other medications can cause irreversible harm or serious side effects. To avoid experiencing any harmful side effects, consult with your doctor before beginning this treatment.

Ask your doctor for free samples.

Another way to save on healthcare costs is by asking your doctor if they have any free samples of your prescriptions. In most cases, doctors receive full-size drug samples they can share with their patients. These samples are typically available for maintenance medications, which are medications taken to stabilize chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or hypertension.

These samples may be brand-name products that still don’t have generics available in the market, so for future use, ask your doctor if these free samples will have generic options available later. This is an important follow-up question because if these drugs won’t have generic counterparts, you may end up spending a lot more on expensive brand-name drugs after your samples are exhausted.

Try generic alternatives to brand-name drugs.

Generic medications offer the same healing effects and active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts. What’s more, they can retail at a fraction of the cost of their brand-name counterparts. To save on costs, simply tell your doctor or pharmacist that you prefer generics before they write the prescription. Some common generic drugs that are available as over-the-counter options include antihistamines, heartburn medication, and some painkillers, to name a few.

Compare drug prices across pharmacies.

Another way to save on the cost of your medication is by doing your research. Considering the fact that pharmacies set individual prices, you’re better off comparing prices between pharmacies to find the lowest price available. As you compare prices, also ask your pharmacist what you can do to help keep your costs low. For instance, they may recommend buying your medication in bulk, or splitting pills where possible.

Always seek your healthcare provider’s advice before applying any of the suggestions listed above.