Prescriber Checkup
The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D
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ALFRED WU MD
At A Glance: This Prescriber in 2015
Self-Reported Primary Specialty
Rank: 49 out of 1334
Rank: 299 out of 1334
How Does This Prescriber Compare to Peers?
In the same specialty and state. Caveats »
this specialty
in Arizona lower than average
Antipsychotics
This provider prescribed antipsychotics to at least one but fewer than 11 patients who are 65 and older, so Medicare redacted the exact figure. Comparisons are not shown.
Antibiotics
55% of this provider’s 394 patients filled at least one prescription for an antibiotic drug, compared to an average of 24%.
Risky Drugs for Seniors
11% of this provider’s 288 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 11%.
Opioids
36% of this provider’s 394 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 18%.
Brand Name Drugs
11% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 19%.
Prescription Price
$33 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $60 among peers.
Prescriptions per Patient
33 is the average number of prescriptions (including refills) per patient, compared to an average of 13.
How This Provider’s Patients Compare
Doctors often say their patients are sicker or more complex than those of their peers. The measure displayed below, used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, takes into account patients’ characteristics to estimate whether they are expected to have above-average Medicare spending. It considers patients’ age, sex, diagnoses from the past year and other factors. This provider’s score below takes into account all patients.
This Provider's History
A comparison of this provider’s prescribing in Part D since 2012. All years may not be shown if there is insufficient data.
Cost of Claims
$327K
2012
$338K
2013
$412K
2014
$419K
2015
Number of Claims
11,518
2012
12,417
2013
13,055
2014
12,844
2015
This Prescriber's Drugs
The table below list this provider’s drugs, the number of prescriptions and how many went to seniors. Drugs are ranked by volume and compared with the rank for all providers in the same specialty and state. The list below includes only those drugs for which this provider wrote 50 or more prescriptions.
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An opioid drug. More » Prescription opioids (painkillers) can help alleviate certain kinds of pain in the short term but carry serious health risks.
An antibiotic drug. More » Used to treat bacterial infections but are often prescribed incorrectly to treat viral infections, such as chest colds or the flu.
An antipsychotic drug. More » Antipsychotics are frequently given to dementia patients, though it increases their risk of death.
A risky drug for seniors. More » The American Geriatrics Society has said this drug is "potentially dangerous" for seniors and might be inappropriate.
This provider is among the top 10 prescribers of this drug in the country.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for more days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be lower.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for fewer days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be higher.
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This Drug's Rank
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Total Prescriptions Filled with Refills |
Prescriptions to 65+ |
Patients Receiving this Drug | Category | For this Prescriber | For this Prescriber's Peers |
|
LISINOPRIL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
598
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
436
prescriptions. |
94
patients, 24% of all patients |
1 | 2 | |
|
LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM
Levothyroxine, a thyroid ho... + Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Source: National Library of Medicine |
579
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
464
prescriptions. |
82
patients, 21% of all patients |
2 | 1 | |
|
LORAZEPAM
Treats anxiety, anxiety wit... + Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine |
566
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
324
prescriptions. |
92
patients, 23% of all patients |
3 | 31 | |
|
RANITIDINE HCL
Ranitidine is used to treat... + Ranitidine is used to treat ulcers; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus); and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Source: National Library of Medicine |
565
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
389
prescriptions. |
121
patients, 31% of all patients |
4 | 34 | |
|
AMLODIPINE BESYLATE
Amlodipine is used alone or... + Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Source: National Library of Medicine |
545
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
401
prescriptions. |
85
patients, 22% of all patients |
5 | 5 | |
|
OXYCODONE HCL
Oxycodone is used to reliev... + Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
474
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
212
prescriptions. |
59
patients, 15% of all patients |
O | 6 | 26 |
|
SIMVASTATIN
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Source: National Library of Medicine |
459
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
325
prescriptions. |
66
patients, 17% of all patients |
7 | 3 | |
|
METFORMIN HCL
Metformin is used alone or ... + Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine |
404
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
263
prescriptions. |
60
patients, 15% of all patients |
8 | 6 | |
|
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
390
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
200
prescriptions. |
48
patients, 12% of all patients |
O | 9 | 32 |
|
IBUPROFEN
Treats fever and pain, incl... + Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by headache, toothache, arthritis, cold or flu, migraine, or menstrual cramps. Source: National Library of Medicine |
332
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
176
prescriptions. |
67
patients, 17% of all patients |
10 | 53 | |
|
GLIPIZIDE
Used with diet and exercise... + Used with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Source: National Library of Medicine |
305
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
202
prescriptions. |
46
patients, 12% of all patients |
11 | 37 | |
|
OMEPRAZOLE
Treats heartburn, stomach u... + Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, endocrine tumors, and systemic mastocytosis. Source: National Library of Medicine |
284
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
212
prescriptions. |
44
patients, 11% of all patients |
12 | 7 | |
|
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM
Losartan is used alone or i... + Losartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
222
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
188
prescriptions. |
28
patients, 7% of all patients |
13 | 8 | |
|
METOPROLOL TARTRATE
Metoprolol is used alone or... + Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
211
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
155
prescriptions. |
32
patients, 8% of all patients |
14 | 11 | |
|
ATENOLOL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Source: National Library of Medicine |
201
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
158
prescriptions. |
30
patients, 8% of all patients |
15 | 15 | |
|
PRAVASTATIN SODIUM
Pravastatin is used with di... + Pravastatin is used with diet, weight-loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Source: National Library of Medicine |
186
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
151
prescriptions. |
27
patients, 7% of all patients |
16 | 14 | |
|
DOXAZOSIN MESYLATE
Doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura... + Doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL) is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine |
181
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
142
prescriptions. |
26
patients, 7% of all patients |
17 | 86 | |
|
GABAPENTIN
Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine |
178
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
131
prescriptions. |
36
patients, 9% of all patients |
18 | 9 | |
|
TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE
Triamcinolone is used to tr... + Triamcinolone is used to treat the itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various skin conditions. Source: National Library of Medicine |
174
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
98
prescriptions. |
59
patients, 15% of all patients |
19 | 91 | |
|
TIZANIDINE HCL
Tizanidine is used to relie... + Tizanidine is used to relieve the spasms and increased muscle tone caused by multiple sclerosis (MS, a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and patients may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control), stroke, or brain or spinal injury. Source: National Library of Medicine |
169
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
42
prescriptions. |
45
patients, 11% of all patients |
20 | 70 | |
|
ALPRAZOLAM
Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
169
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
116
prescriptions. |
26
patients, 7% of all patients |
20 | 17 | |
|
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
159
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
80
prescriptions. |
27
patients, 7% of all patients |
O | 22 | 10 |
|
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
Used alone or together with... + Used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention (edema). Source: National Library of Medicine |
155
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
143
prescriptions. |
25
patients, 6% of all patients |
23 | 12 | |
|
NAPROXEN
Treats fever and pain, incl... + Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, headache, backache, and toothache. Source: National Library of Medicine |
139
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
91
prescriptions. |
27
patients, 7% of all patients |
24 | 76 | |
|
DICLOFENAC SODIUM
Diclofenac is used to relie... + Diclofenac is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Source: National Library of Medicine |
133
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
101
prescriptions. |
44
patients, 11% of all patients |
25 | 77 | |
|
FUROSEMIDE
Treats fluid retention (ede... + Treats fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Source: National Library of Medicine |
132
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
111
prescriptions. |
30
patients, 8% of all patients |
26 | 13 | |
|
MORPHINE SULFATE ER
Morphine (extended release)... + Morphine (extended release) is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
124
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
24
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 4% of all patients |
O | 27 | 46 |
|
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Potassium is needed to main... + Potassium is needed to maintain good health. Source: National Library of Medicine |
123
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
100
prescriptions. |
20
patients, 5% of all patients |
28 | 19 | |
|
PANTOPRAZOLE SODIUM
Pantoprazole is used to tre... + Pantoprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach). Source: National Library of Medicine |
112
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
74
prescriptions. |
18
patients, 5% of all patients |
29 | 18 | |
|
AMOXICILLIN-CLAVULANATE POTASS
Treats infections. + Treats infections. Source: National Library of Medicine |
111
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
89
prescriptions. |
78
patients, 20% of all patients |
A | 30 | 84 |
|
LISINOPRIL-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
Treats high blood pressure.... + Treats high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
111
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
106
prescriptions. |
20
patients, 5% of all patients |
30 | 39 | |
|
CEPHALEXIN
Treats bacterial infections... + Treats bacterial infections. Source: National Library of Medicine |
110
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
87
prescriptions. |
72
patients, 18% of all patients |
A | 32 | 71 |
|
TAMSULOSIN HCL
Tamsulosin is used in men t... + Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine |
109
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
104
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 6% of all patients |
33 | 21 | |
|
SULFAMETHOXAZOLE-TRIMETHOPRIM
Treating infections caused ... + Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine |
106
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
74
prescriptions. |
61
patients, 15% of all patients |
A | 34 | 98 |
|
LANTUS
Treats diabetes mellitus. I... + Treats diabetes mellitus. Source: National Library of Medicine |
105
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
53
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 4% of all patients |
35 | 47 | |
|
PROAIR HFA
Treats or prevents bronchos... + Treats or prevents bronchospasm in patients with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Source: National Library of Medicine |
101
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
38
prescriptions. |
28
patients, 7% of all patients |
36 | 27 | |
|
PIOGLITAZONE HCL
Pioglitazone is used to tre... + Pioglitazone is used to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine |
81
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
69
prescriptions. |
<11 | 37 | 63 | |
|
AZITHROMYCIN
Treats infections caused by... + Treats infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine |
80
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
54
prescriptions. |
60
patients, 15% of all patients |
A | 38 | 42 |
|
ALENDRONATE SODIUM
Alendronate is used to trea... + Alendronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (''change of life,'' end of menstrual periods) and to treat osteoporosis in men. Source: National Library of Medicine |
79
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
67
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 3% of all patients |
39 | 29 | |
|
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE
Treats stuffy nose caused b... + Treats stuffy nose caused by hay fever and other allergies. Source: National Library of Medicine |
78
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
38
prescriptions. |
27
patients, 7% of all patients |
40 | 16 | |
|
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Source: National Library of Medicine |
76
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
71
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 4% of all patients |
41 | 4 | |
|
WARFARIN SODIUM
Warfarin is used to prevent... + Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. Source: National Library of Medicine |
65
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
60
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 4% of all patients |
42 | 23 | |
|
PHENYTOIN SODIUM EXTENDED
Phenytoin is used to contro... + Phenytoin is used to control certain type of seizures, and to treat and prevent seizures that may begin during or after surgery to the brain or nervous system. Source: National Library of Medicine |
61
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
19
prescriptions. |
<11 | 43 | 212 | |
|
CLONIDINE HCL
Clonidine is used alone or ... + Clonidine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
60
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
34
prescriptions. |
<11 | 44 | 72 | |
|
CARVEDILOL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). Source: National Library of Medicine |
59
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
22
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 3% of all patients |
45 | 38 | |
|
NYSTATIN
Treats fungus infections in... + Treats fungus infections in the mouth, throat, and intestines. Source: National Library of Medicine |
59
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
27
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 4% of all patients |
45 | 201 | |
|
ALLOPURINOL
Treats gout and some kinds ... + Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Source: National Library of Medicine |
58
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
37
prescriptions. |
<11 | 47 | 35 | |
|
DICLOFENAC POTASSIUM
Diclofenac is a nonsteroida... + Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild-to-moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (eg, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
57
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
44
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 4% of all patients |
48 | 334 | |
|
PROCTOSOL-HC
This is used to help reliev... + This is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions. Source: National Library of Medicine |
56
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
16
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 4% of all patients |
49 | 337 | |
|
CLOPIDOGREL
Helps prevent stroke, heart... + Helps prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problems. Source: National Library of Medicine |
54
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
41
prescriptions. |
<11 | 50 | 33 | |
|
AMITRIPTYLINE HCL
Amitriptyline is used to tr... + Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
54
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
42
prescriptions. |
<11 | R | 50 | 85 |
|
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE
Metoprolol is used alone or... + Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
54
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
26
prescriptions. |
<11 | 50 | 20 | |
|
SULINDAC
Treats pain caused by arthr... + Treats pain caused by arthritis, gout, or sore tendons. Source: National Library of Medicine |
52
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
16
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 4% of all patients |
53 | 224 | |
|
TEMAZEPAM
Treats insomnia (trouble sl... + Treats insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine |
51
prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions |
39
prescriptions. |
<11 | 54 | 57 | |
About This Data
Prescribing data from Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, known as Part D, was compiled and released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees the program. The data for 2015 includes more than 1.4 billion prescriptions written by nearly 1.4 million doctors, nurses and other providers. This database lists about 447,000 of those providers who wrote 50 or more prescriptions for at least one drug that year. More than three-fourths of these prescriptions went to patients 65 and older; the rest were for disabled patients. Methodology »
Incorrect Info?
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Caveats
- No comparisons are shown if there are fewer than 20 prescribers in the state share this specialty.
- Comparisons do not take into account the medical conditions of patients. Medications for certain conditions do not have generic alternatives, so patients would receive more expensive brand name drugs.
- This provider's address and specialty information was last updated on Feb. 15, 2012.
- Comparisons are based on each provider’s current address, not necessarily where he or she worked during the time period covered in this database.
- In rare circumstances, providers' prescription tallies may be inflated. Sometimes providers are credited with prescriptions written by colleagues (this happens in long-term care facilities) or are victims of fraud involving theft of their provider number.