Understanding Dose Optimization
Why have I received this information?
This information has been prepared for you by Anthem Prescription Management, your pharmacy benefit manager. From time to time, your physician may prescribe a medication subject to a dose optimization edit. We think you will find this information helpful when you need benefits for a medication subject to this type of edit.
What is dose optimization?
Dose optimization, or dose consolidation, normally involves the conversion from twice-daily dosing to a once-daily dosing schedule. This may increase compliance and decrease expenses for you and your health plan. As always, you should consult with your physician to determine what is most appropriate for you. If your physician feels medical reasons exist for you to take these medications more than once a day, a letter of medical necessity is required for you to access your prescription benefits.
Which medications have dose optimization?
| Brand Drugs and their Generic Equivalent | Recommended Dosing |
|---|---|
| Accupril® (all strengths except 40mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Accuretic™ 10/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Aceon® (all strengths except 8mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Adalat CC® 30mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Altace® (all strengths except 10mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Altoprev (formerly Altocor) 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Atacand® (all strengths except 32mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Avapro® (all strengths except 300mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Benicar™ 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Benicar™ HCT 20/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Cardizem® CD 120mg, LA 120mg, LA 180mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Celexa™ 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Cozaar® 25mg, 50mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Crestor® 5mg, 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Dilacor® XR 120mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Diovan® (all strength except 320mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Diovan® HCT 80/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Effexor XR 37.5mg, 75mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Fluoxetine 10mg capsule, tablet | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Hyzaar®50/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Lescol® 20mg, 40mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Lexapro™ 5mg, 10mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Lipitor® 10mg, 20mg, 40mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Lotensin® (all strengths except 40mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Lotensin® HCT (all strengths except 20/12.5mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Luvox™ 25mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Luvox™ 50mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Mavik® (all strengths except 4mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Mevacor® 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Micardis® (all strengths except 80mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Monopril® (all strengths except 40mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Norvasc® 2.5mg, 5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Paxil® 10mg, 20mg, CR 12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Pexeva™ 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Plendil® (all strengths except 10mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Pravachol® 10mg, 20mg, 40mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Prinivil® (all strengths except 40mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Prinzide® 10/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Procardia® XL 30mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Prozac® 10mg cap | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Sular® 10mg, 20mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Tiazac™ 120mg, 180mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Uniretic® 7.5/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Univasc® 7.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Verelan PM® 100mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Zestoretic® 10/12.5mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Zestril® (all strengths except 40mg) | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Zocor® 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
| Zoloft 25mg, 50mg | Daily Dose 1 per day |
Please Note: Due to varying health benefit plans, inclusion of a drug and related items on the drug list/formulary is not a guarantee of coverage. Please refer to your prescription drug benefit description of coverage, limitations and exclusions.