🎉 WE HAVE A FORUM — come in, say hello →
Account
Framework
What Why Laws Corpus Proof Papers Cancer Save Lives Low-cost drugs Food dye Weather Letters Mind Quantum
Apps
All apps Shop Games Them Beans Dailygrind Answer the Giants 🧠 Wake Gary Up 🔥
Community
Forum Updates
About
Team Join
AIIT-THRESI · Living document

Low-cost drugs.

A starter list of off-patent generics with high-evidence indications and durable sub-$25/month cash prices. Every entry has the trial that earned it the spot, and a price source you can verify yourself.

Not medical advice. This is a reference for clinicians and informed patients. Drugs interact, doses vary by person, and what's right for someone else may not be right for you. Talk to a clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

The starter list

Metformin (Glucophage)

$4 / 30 days (Walmart $4 list, generic 500 mg tabs)
What it treats
Type 2 diabetes — first-line. Reduces hepatic glucose output, improves insulin sensitivity. Also used off-label for PCOS and weight management; under active research as a longevity intervention (TAME trial).
Typical dose
500 mg twice daily, titrated to 1000 mg twice daily. Take with food.
Evidence
UKPDS 34 (Lancet 1998) — 36% reduction in all-cause mortality vs. conventional therapy in overweight type 2 diabetics. ADA Standards of Care recommend as first-line monotherapy.
→ UKPDS 34, Lancet 1998
Cautions
Watch B12 levels on long-term use. Hold before iodinated contrast. Contraindicated if eGFR < 30.

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

$4 / 30 days (Walmart $4 list, generic 10 mg or 20 mg)
What it treats
Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI, and diabetic nephropathy. ACE inhibitor.
Typical dose
10–40 mg once daily.
Evidence
GISSI-3 (Lancet 1994) — lisinopril within 24h of acute MI reduced 6-week mortality and combined endpoint of death + severe LV dysfunction. ALLHAT and HOPE trials confirm cardiovascular benefit beyond BP lowering.
→ GISSI-3, Lancet 1994
Cautions
Cough in ~10% (switch to ARB if intolerant). Avoid in pregnancy. Monitor K+ and creatinine.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

$4–10 / 30 days (generic, 10 mg–40 mg)
What it treats
Primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor — lowers LDL cholesterol.
Typical dose
10–80 mg once daily, evening or any time.
Evidence
ASCOT-LLA (Lancet 2003) — atorvastatin 10 mg cut nonfatal MI + fatal CHD by 36% in hypertensive patients with average cholesterol. Stopped early for benefit.
→ ASCOT-LLA, Lancet 2003
Cautions
Check baseline LFTs and CK if symptomatic. Muscle aches in ~5%. Drug interactions via CYP3A4 (grapefruit, some antibiotics).

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Microzide)

$4 / 30 days (Walmart $4 list, generic 12.5 mg or 25 mg)
What it treats
Hypertension. Thiazide diuretic — first-line per JNC-8 / ACC-AHA guidelines.
Typical dose
12.5–25 mg once daily.
Evidence
ALLHAT (JAMA 2002) — chlorthalidone (a closely related thiazide-like diuretic) was non-inferior to amlodipine and lisinopril for primary CV outcomes, and superior for heart failure prevention.
→ ALLHAT, JAMA 2002
Cautions
Monitor K+, Na+, glucose, uric acid. Many guidelines now prefer chlorthalidone for stronger evidence base.

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

$4–15 / 30 days (generic 25 mg or 50 mg)
What it treats
Heart failure (HFrEF), resistant hypertension, primary aldosteronism, hormonal acne, female pattern hair loss.
Typical dose
25–100 mg once daily depending on indication.
Evidence
RALES (NEJM 1999) — spironolactone 25 mg added to standard HFrEF therapy reduced all-cause mortality by 30% vs placebo (NYHA III–IV, EF ≤35%). Stopped early for benefit.
→ RALES, NEJM 1999
Cautions
Check K+ and creatinine at baseline and during titration. Gynecomastia in some men. Avoid combining with K+ supplements or other K+-sparing agents without monitoring.

Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

$5–15 / course (generic 500 mg, 21–30 capsules)
What it treats
Acute otitis media, strep pharyngitis, community-acquired pneumonia (in children), uncomplicated UTI in pregnancy, dental prophylaxis.
Typical dose
Adults: 500 mg every 8h or 875 mg every 12h × 5–10 days, depending on indication.
Evidence
IDSA/AAP guidelines list amoxicillin as first-line for AOM, GAS pharyngitis, and uncomplicated CAP. Cochrane reviews support efficacy with low NNT for symptom resolution in confirmed bacterial infection.
→ IDSA practice guidelines
Cautions
Penicillin allergy contraindication. Beware of mononucleosis (rash). Resistance rising; check local antibiogram for serious infections.

Doxycycline (Vibramycin)

$8–25 / 30 days (generic 100 mg, hyclate or monohydrate)
What it treats
Lyme disease, rickettsial disease, atypical pneumonia (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila), acne vulgaris, malaria prophylaxis, chlamydia (urogenital).
Typical dose
100 mg twice daily for most indications; 100 mg once daily for malaria prophylaxis and acne maintenance.
Evidence
CDC and IDSA guidelines designate doxycycline as first-line for early Lyme, RMSF, and atypical CAP. NEJM 2001 Lyme treatment trial confirmed efficacy with 10–21 day courses.
→ CDC Lyme treatment guidance
Cautions
Photosensitivity. Take with full glass of water, sit upright for 30 min (esophageal irritation). Avoid in pregnancy and children under 8 (most indications).

Sources & price references

Have a generic that belongs on this list, with the trial citation? Send it. reliablerestaurantrepair@gmail.com →

⚡ Help keep the lights on — support our research →