Therapeutic Substitution
How to work with your doctor to find a clinically equivalent drug at a fraction of the cost.
What is therapeutic substitution?
Therapeutic substitution switches you from one medication to a different but clinically equivalent drug in the same class. Unlike generics (same molecule), therapeutic substitution uses a different active ingredient with similar effectiveness. Always done with prescriber guidance — not a pharmacist decision.
Common therapeutic substitution examples
| Expensive drug | Alternative | Typical savings |
|---|---|---|
| Crestor (rosuvastatin) | Generic atorvastatin | 85% |
| Lexapro (escitalopram) | Generic sertraline | 75% |
| Nexium (esomeprazole) | Generic omeprazole | 80% |
| Singulair (montelukast) | Generic montelukast | 90% |
| Benicar (olmesartan) | Generic losartan | 85% |
Once your prescriber writes a new Rx, compare prices across pharmacies on Script Unlock.
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