The most popular drugs on SingleCare in October

October, you may be going apple picking, checking out the fall foliage, and taking in a football game. Or, like many SingleCare users, you could be heading to the pharmacy counter to prepare for flu season and cold weather. Some are getting their yearly influenza vaccine, while others are stocking up on pain medication to treat the aches that only get worse in cold weather. These needs help explain why vaccines and anti-inflammatories are the most commonly filled prescriptions this month. 

These are historically the most popular medications in October, according to SingleCare data:

Vaccines

Most experts recommend getting a flu shot by the end of October (and even earlier if you can this year because of COVID-19). This gives the vaccine enough time to create the antibodies your body needs to provide maximum protection for the entire duration of the flu season. Flucelvax, Fluzone, and Afluria (the top three medications for October) are all different brand names of the quadrivalent flu vaccine. Vivotif, a vaccine for typhoid fever, and Shingrix, a vaccine for shingles, are popular as well. Over 12,000 SingleCare users headed to the pharmacy counter to receive these two common vaccines since January 2019.

For many SingleCare users, getting the flu shot is a great time to catch up on any other vaccinations they might need. People often get all their shots during the same visit, so many people will get additional immunizations in October when the flu shot is most recommended. The CDC recommends that all healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine Shingrix, separated by two to six months. Like the flu vaccine, this is most often given as a shot in the upper arm. 

Vivotif, the vaccine for typhoid, is a surprising vaccine at the top of the list for SingleCare users this month. While typhoid isn’t very common in the United States, it is still a deadly communicable disease. The CDC recommends Vivotif for anyone who is traveling to places where typhoid is still common, such as India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan. It’s popularity could be driven by plans to see family during the holiday season. “People visiting friends or relatives are more likely than other travelers to get typhoid fever because they may stay in the country longer, may be less cautious about the food they eat or the beverages they drink because they eat local food prepared in people’s homes and may not think to get vaccinated before traveling,” says David Cutler, MD, a family medical physician in Santa Monica, California.

RELATED: Immunization and vaccination statistics

Anti-inflammatories

Cooler October weather in most areas of the United States brings lower barometric pressure with it, which, according to Daniel J. Devine, MD, a specialist in geriatric medicine, can bring increased joint pain. Not surprisingly, he says, “the most common remedies for joint pain are anti-inflammatory medications.” 

Despite the rise in vaccinations, seasonal viruses are still common in October. “Many seasonal viruses are circulating through the month of October that have musculoskeletal pain as a symptom,” Dr. Devine says. “As part of supportive care for a viral infection, I occasionally prescribe anti-inflammatory medications for symptom relief.” 

No matter what the cause of those cold-weather aches and pains, many SingleCare users turn to anti-inflammatory medications for relief.

RELATED: How much ibuprofen is safe to take?

Whether you need to save on vaccines, anti-inflammatories, or any other medication, SingleCare is here to help you save. Start searching for your best price at singlecare.com.