Now that it’s fall, the weather changes can take a hold on our health and cause us to get sick. No one likes to be sick for a long period of time, so you may feel forced to rush to the nearest pharmacy and spend a ton on over the counter products. Over the counter medication can get expensive, but we have some tips that can save you money and help you get better fast.

1. Generic Brands: When it comes to buying over the counter medication, you may be wary of purchasing items from name brands you are unfamiliar with or that aren’t as popular. Although generic brands may have slight differences in their ingredients, what is most important is their active ingredients. When comparing generic and name brand medications, the active ingredients are usually the same. You can save a ton of money by opting to try a generic brand and get the same results for less.
2. Coupons: If you still aren’t convinced that generic brands can work the same way, you can save money on name brand medications. Try visiting the name brand’s main site to find special coupons for their items. Brands such as Advil, Claritin, Theraflu, and more offer savings for even their most expensive medications. BeFrugal.com even offers coupons on some of the top pharmaceutical brands.
3. Visit a Doctor/Pediatrician: Sometimes you may want to buy medications and you may not even need them. Visit a doctor or pediatrician first so you can find out exactly what is making you sick and get the right recommendation for medicine.
4. Get a Prescription: You aren’t required to have a prescription from a doctor for certain medications, but it can cut the price down significantly. Even if you feel like you don’t need to visit a doctor, you can save money on over the counter medicines by having it prescribed. When these medications are prescribed, you will only be responsible for paying the co-pay price.
5. Savings Clubs and Subscriptions: Another great way to save on medications is to join a pharmacy’s savings program. Stores like Walmart and CVS have special savings programs that offer rewards and coupons when you shop with them frequently. You can even join a subscription service like Amazon's, which offers discounts on everyday items that you buy on a regular basis.

Use these tips and check out these deals below:

• Rite Aid- 4% cash back
• PharmaPro- 20% cash back
• Duane Reade- Weekly Specials
• Kleenex- $0.50 off
• Puffs- $0.50 off