$1 Dollar Store Drugs

Jennyisbusy
Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
in Chit-Chat
So I noticed that the $1 store in town sells a generic version of my allergy medicine (zyrtec.) Which is like a $30 discount. Seems crazy to me, so I was wondering if anybody takes meds from a $1 store.
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Replies

  • CJK1959
    CJK1959 Posts: 279 Member
    Our dollar store sells both the generic versions and some of the brand names; and we have used some of them, and they seem to work just as well; just watch the expiration date.
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    Hmm. I don't know about the dollar store . . . I do buy my son the Kroger version of his Zyrtec D but I think I'd be a little wary of the dollar store.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I am naturally skeptic of consumables from a dollar store....what did they do differently to make it profitable to sell for a dollar? Where did they cut costs?
  • AwesomelyAmber
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    He no longer needs it as of 2 weeks ago... but my son was on the generic zyrtec...FROM THE DOLLAR TREE for over a year and it was the ONLY thing that worked for him, not steriods, not claritin, not inhalers... A lot of people frown on it cuz they feel they HAVE to pay more. But it did definately work for us :) Good luck to you!
  • otr12
    otr12 Posts: 632 Member
    I've tried it and learned my lesson. Fortunately all I lost was $1.
  • Mynue_Jeens
    Mynue_Jeens Posts: 98 Member
    Don't worry about where its from just look at the ingredients. A lot of people don't realize that many over the counter medicines are made in the same factories with very similar ingredients but are simply packaged differently. Chances are you are getting the same if not a very similar and equally effective alternative.
  • CapsFan17
    CapsFan17 Posts: 198
    I have not taken any medication purchased at the dollar store. I would compare the ingredents. And you can always try it and if it works, great, if not, you're only out $1.
  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    I take dollar store NyQuil, gets me just as drunk...I mean, well...as the real stuff. I've also taken dollar store Tylenol Cold and Flu stuff (it was blue, and minty, and worked!).
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    Really meds are controlled by FDA so as long as ingredients and amounts are the same it should work just the same.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    I take dollar store NyQuil, gets me just as drunk...I mean, well...as the real stuff. I've also taken dollar store Tylenol Cold and Flu stuff (it was blue, and minty, and worked!).

    Dear, that was mouthwash.

    :flowerforyou:
  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    i would do like suggested compare ingredients and stuff... most of the non consumables at the dollar store come from china... so........ ya....
  • chubbychristianchick
    chubbychristianchick Posts: 217 Member
    Buy it, try it, if it fails... pitch it! I have bought some OTC medicine at dollar tree and dollar general they usually have similar effects.
  • GoCanada
    GoCanada Posts: 92 Member
    Check the ingredients in the two. Usually brand name is the *exact same* as non-brand name. People are just wary of it. And yeah, watch the expiration dates.
  • Jones4177
    Jones4177 Posts: 136
    I get prescription Loratadine from Dr and its like $4 foro 30 day supply, take 1 a day and I don't have a problem.
  • PegasusDeb
    PegasusDeb Posts: 665 Member
    If you feel weird about that, check with your doc. Our local pharm sells the same thing as Zyrtec for $7 for 90 pills. I have been like a pusher, now all my friends either get it from me, or they take a bottle of my stuff to the counter & ask. If you just ask for "generic" they will take you to the aisle. This is something they have behind the counter.
  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    I take dollar store NyQuil, gets me just as drunk...I mean, well...as the real stuff. I've also taken dollar store Tylenol Cold and Flu stuff (it was blue, and minty, and worked!).

    Dear, that was mouthwash.

    :flowerforyou:

    Dang it! I knew something about the texture wasn't mediciny enough. :grumble:
  • efriling
    efriling Posts: 58 Member
    I'm all in favor of saving money, just be a cautious consumer. Check the packaging (for rips & broken seals), compare ingredients (for effectiveness), and definitely be mindful of the expiration date. Otherwise, you should be fine :smile:
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    I am naturally skeptic of consumables from a dollar store....what did they do differently to make it profitable to sell for a dollar? Where did they cut costs?

    Well, they don't have to pay the giant marketing bill that name brand has for one. They also don't have to recoup costs for past research etc.

    The ingredient active list was identical to the namebrand. The fillers were all the same but 1 thing extra listed on generic.
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    Check to make sure the medications are not expired. Most won't make you sick but they lose their effectiveness.
  • kpxfiles
    kpxfiles Posts: 56 Member
    My friend is a doctor and always buys $1 drugs. He says it is the same drug. You can do a side by side comparison of the ingredients and they are exactly the same. After he told me this, I have't bought name brands.

    Like binary_jester said expired drugs will lose their effectiveness.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    It's a buck. give it a try. What do you have to lose? A buck.
  • Bahet
    Bahet Posts: 1,254 Member
    They are regulated by the FDA. If the ingredients are the same it's the same product. Check the expiration dates like others hav said but those should still be fine.

    To the person who asked what they do to make it profitable at $1 - nothing. It's just REALLY REALLY profitable at $20. By selling it in dollar stores they are just able to reach a different demographic. They don't make much profit there but they aren't losing money either.
  • Mynue_Jeens
    Mynue_Jeens Posts: 98 Member
    Btw there are very few things at Dollar Stores that are actually 1 actual dollar. I think these days they are just stores that dont list cents lol.
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    Hehe - no I meant the Dollar Tree- where everything costs only $1. I plan to try them, but I am going to wait until I am over my kidney infection, because this boat don't need any more rocking right now.:tongue:
  • mygirlbrenna
    mygirlbrenna Posts: 13
    I bought some Dollar Tree Mucus Relief DM (compared to Mucinex DM) Mucinex has 60mg Dextro.... and 1200mg of Guaf... The Dollar tree has 20mg and 400mg of the same so it's weaker. Totally fine with me because Mucinex makes me SO loopy so maybe it'll help without the weird feeling.
  • ftrounds
    ftrounds Posts: 1 Member
    As long as the active ingredients are the same it doesn't matter where you get the meds from or how much they cost. However, you do want to pay attention to the expiration date. Just compare generic and name brand meds when you're looking and see if they have the same stuff in them. If they do, save your money and get the generic. It's that simple.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    I think that the '99 Cent Store' is going to drive the 'Dollar Store' out of business.
  • KosmosKitten
    KosmosKitten Posts: 10,476 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I think that the '99 Cent Store' is going to drive the 'Dollar Store' out of business.

    How many dollar stores are really $1 or 99 cents though? Most of them that claim that aren't anymore. :(

    Per the thread: dollar store meds haven't been less effective for me than the name brand stuff. There might be one or two exceptions, but I can't recall off the top of my head. All pain medication has been comparable to the name brand stuff, though.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    KosmosKitten wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I think that the '99 Cent Store' is going to drive the 'Dollar Store' out of business.

    How many dollar stores are really $1 or 99 cents though? Most of them that claim that aren't anymore. :(

    Per the thread: dollar store meds haven't been less effective for me than the name brand stuff. There might be one or two exceptions, but I can't recall off the top of my head. All pain medication has been comparable to the name brand stuff, though.

    Dunno.

    I only shop at Neiman Marcus or Nordstroms - Nowhere Else !







    and sometimes the sale rack at Target.





    okay, mostly Target.
  • KosmosKitten
    KosmosKitten Posts: 10,476 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    KosmosKitten wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I think that the '99 Cent Store' is going to drive the 'Dollar Store' out of business.

    How many dollar stores are really $1 or 99 cents though? Most of them that claim that aren't anymore. :(

    Per the thread: dollar store meds haven't been less effective for me than the name brand stuff. There might be one or two exceptions, but I can't recall off the top of my head. All pain medication has been comparable to the name brand stuff, though.

    Dunno.

    I only shop at Neiman Marcus or Nordstroms - Nowhere Else !







    and sometimes the sale rack at Target.





    okay, mostly Target.

    What are: two stores I have never set foot in. Target's cool, though. When they actually have what I need, anyway. :tongue:

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