More than any other age group, young adults are struggling to afford their prescription drugs, with 33 percent of adults between 18 and 29 reporting they can’t afford to pay for their medications, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey.
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Skipping prescriptions is a concern and health risk for anyone taking medication, but especially so for people who take antidepressants, which happens to be the most prescribed drug among young adults. Stopping antidepressants suddenly can lead to side effects known as discontinuation symptoms, such as worsening depression, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and suicidal thoughts.
“If you’re taking antidepressants and want to stop taking them or can no longer afford to take them, always talk to your doctor first about other options before you stop taking them,” said Dr. Naakesh Dewan, vice president of behavioral health for Florida Blue. “In most cases, your doctor’s office or your health plan can work with you to find alternative drugs to meet your needs that are affordable, safe and effective. For example, many Florida Blue plans cover generic options of commonly used antidepressants, some as low as $10 per month.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of young adults taking antidepressants in the United States skyrocketed by 63 percent, studies show. Antidepressants often are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and more, in addition to talk therapy and other treatments.
“The best treatment for severe depression is a combination of medication and therapy,” Dewan said. “Antidepressants help millions of people, and so does therapy. We want to continue to make sure both of these lifesaving treatments continue to be accessible and affordable for patients.”
Whether or not someone experiences discontinuation symptoms from suddenly stopping a medication like an antidepressant depends on how long the medication stays in your system and how your body reacts to and metabolizes the medication.
“Make sure to ask or your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about any new prescription you receive,” Dewan said. “And always talk to your doctor first if you want to stop taking a drug without side effects”
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Save money on your medications with these tips:
• Don’t stop taking them, especially if you are taking antidepressants or a medication you need to take every day. Call your doctor and let them know your situation. There may be a more affordable alternative to meet your needs that is safe and effective.
• Make sure you’re using pharmacies in your health plan’s network.
• Check coupon sites like GoodRx or find out if there is a manufacturer coupon for your drug.
• If you’re on Medicare, see if you qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program to help pay for your prescription drug costs.
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