Recent Prescription Drug Category Changes

Prescription medications may change categories from time to time due to the availability and cost of generic drugs, changes in brand name medications or recommendations based on best practices in the medical field.  We update these changes as necessary on this page, so if you are currently taking prescription medication, we encourage you to check this page regularly (at least on a quarterly basis) to see if there are changes that may impact you.  Please note that your copay amount will depend on your individual Benefit Plan.

At every opportunity, discuss the need for prescription medications with your healthcare provider and ask if your health needs can be controlled through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.  If a prescription medication is required, be sure to ask if a generic alternative is available.  Generic drugs are chemically equivalent to brand name drugs and offer greater cost savings to you.

The category changes below will be effective on the date indicated.

ADHD/Anti-Narcolepsy/Anti-Obesity/Anorexants

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Methylin Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Provigil Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
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Analgesics - Opioid

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Codeine Sulfate 15 mg Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Darvon-N Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Hydromorphone HCL Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Levorphanol Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Meperidine HCL Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Oxycodone HCL Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Pentazocine/ Naloxone HCL Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Subutex Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Tramadol HCL ER Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Androgens - Anabolic

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
First-Testosterone Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
First-Testosterone MC
Compounding Kit		 Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Testopel Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
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Anorectal Agents

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Analpram-HC Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Antianginal Agents

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Nitrolingual Pumpspray Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Nitrostat Non-preferred Preferred September 1, 2010
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Antiasthmatic and Bronchodilator Agents

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Pulmicort Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Anticonvulsants

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Depakote ER Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Phenytek Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Antidepressants

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Effexor XR Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Antidiabetics

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Apidra Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Apidra Solostar Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Avandamet Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Avandaryl Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Avandia Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Byetta Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Fortamet Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Glyset Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Starlix Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Symlin Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Symplinpen 60 Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
Symplinpen 120 Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
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Antihyperlipidemics

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Lovaza Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
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Antiinfective Agents - Misc.

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Azactam Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Merrem Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Antineoplastics

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Alkeran
 Preferred
 Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Arimidex Preferred
 Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Eloxatin Preferred
 Non-preferred
 October 1, 2010
Ifosfamide
 Preferred
 Non-preferred
 October 1, 2010
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Antiparkinson Agents

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Cogentin Preferred
 Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Dantrium IV
 Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Mirapex Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Antivirals

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Valtrex Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Contraceptives

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
 Yaz Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Dermatologicals

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Aldara Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Differin Preferred
 Non-preferred
 October 1, 2010
Evoclin Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Loprox Shampoo
 Preferred
 Non-preferred
 October 1, 2010
Nuox Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Ovide Preferred
 Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Endocrine and Metabolic Agents – Misc.

MedicationCurrent StatusNew StatusEffective Date
Hectorol Preferred Non-preferred September 1, 2010
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Gastrointestinal Agents- Misc.

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Urso 250 Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Urso Forte Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Genitourinary Agents - Misc.

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Flomax Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Musculoskeletal Therapy Agents

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Skelaxin Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Ophthalmic Agents

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Acular Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Acular LS Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Alphagan P Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Iopidine Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Optivar Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Tobradex Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Nasal Agents - Systemic and Topical

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Astelin Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Oxytocics

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Methergine Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Penicillins

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Augmentin XR Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Psychotherapeutic and Neurological Agents - Misc.

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Exelon Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Razadyne Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
Razadyne ER Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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Tetracyclines

Medication Current Status New Status Effective Date
Solodyn Preferred Non-preferred October 1, 2010
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The category changes outlined below were effective April 1, 2010.

Insomnia

MedicationPrior StatusNew StatusCost Effective Drug Options
Ambien CR Preferred Non-preferred Click here to search for
cost effective drug options
Lunesta Preferred Non-preferred Click here to search for
cost effective drug options
Rozerem Preferred Non-preferred Click here to search for
cost effective drug options


Proton Pump Inhibitors

MedicationPrior StatusNew StatusCost Effective Drug Options
Prevacid Preferred Non-preferred Click here to search for
cost effective drug options
Protonix Preferred Non-preferred Click here to search for
cost effective drug options




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