Prescriber Checkup
The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D
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ALEXANDER LOCASCIO DO
At A Glance: This Prescriber in 2015
Self-Reported Primary Specialty
Rank: 279 out of 1238
Rank: 359 out of 1238
How Does This Prescriber Compare to Peers?
In the same specialty and state. Caveats »
this specialty
in Iowa 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
39% of this provider’s 379 patients filled at least one prescription for an antibiotic drug, compared to an average of 31%.
Risky Drugs for Seniors
11% of this provider’s 312 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 10%.
Opioids
15% of this provider’s 379 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 17%.
Brand Name Drugs
16% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 18%.
Prescription Price
$44 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $50 among peers.
Prescriptions per Patient
25 is the average number of prescriptions (including refills) per patient, compared to an average of 18.
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
$178K
2012
$313K
2013
$377K
2014
$413K
2015
Number of Claims
4,949
2012
7,869
2013
8,736
2014
9,299
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 |
|
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 |
460
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
350
prescriptions. |
65
patients, 17% of all patients |
1 | 1 | |
|
SIMVASTATIN
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Source: National Library of Medicine |
426
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
369
prescriptions. |
83
patients, 22% of all patients |
2 | 3 | |
|
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 |
369
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
344
prescriptions. |
61
patients, 16% of all patients |
3 | 7 | |
|
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 |
288
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
257
prescriptions. |
56
patients, 15% of all patients |
4 | 8 | |
|
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Source: National Library of Medicine |
273
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
245
prescriptions. |
50
patients, 13% of all patients |
5 | 5 | |
|
FUROSEMIDE
Treats fluid retention (ede... + Treats fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Source: National Library of Medicine |
270
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
245
prescriptions. |
48
patients, 13% of all patients |
6 | 6 | |
|
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350
Treats occasional constipat... + Treats occasional constipation. Source: National Library of Medicine |
238
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
42
prescriptions. |
21
patients, 6% of all patients |
7 | 32 | |
|
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 |
206
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
195
prescriptions. |
42
patients, 11% of all patients |
8 | 13 | |
|
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 |
202
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
173
prescriptions. |
41
patients, 11% of all patients |
9 | 2 | |
|
LISINOPRIL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
200
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
172
prescriptions. |
36
patients, 9% of all patients |
10 | 4 | |
|
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Potassium is needed to main... + Potassium is needed to maintain good health. Source: National Library of Medicine |
197
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
177
prescriptions. |
36
patients, 9% of all patients |
11 | 11 | |
|
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 |
185
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
173
prescriptions. |
30
patients, 8% of all patients |
12 | 16 | |
|
ALPRAZOLAM
Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
175
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
156
prescriptions. |
42
patients, 11% of all patients |
13 | 25 | |
|
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 |
168
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
133
prescriptions. |
32
patients, 8% of all patients |
14 | 9 | |
|
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 |
160
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
90
prescriptions. |
25
patients, 7% of all patients |
15 | 37 | |
|
GLIMEPIRIDE
Treats type 2 diabetes. Use... + Treats type 2 diabetes. Source: National Library of Medicine |
154
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
138
prescriptions. |
24
patients, 6% of all patients |
16 | 38 | |
|
FENOFIBRATE*
Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglycerides, together with a proper diet. Source: National Library of Medicine |
148
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
112
prescriptions. |
19
patients, 5% of all patients |
17 | 84 | |
|
ENALAPRIL MALEATE
Enalapril is used alone or ... + Enalapril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
148
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
136
prescriptions. |
28
patients, 7% of all patients |
17 | 63 | |
|
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 |
129
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
124
prescriptions. |
26
patients, 7% of all patients |
19 | 14 | |
|
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine |
120
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
86
prescriptions. |
33
patients, 9% of all patients |
O | 20 | 12 |
|
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 |
119
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
104
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 3% of all patients |
21 | 10 | |
|
GABAPENTIN
Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine |
105
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
85
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 4% of all patients |
22 | 15 | |
|
LACTULOSE
Treats constipation. Also t... + Treats constipation. Source: National Library of Medicine |
99
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 3% of all patients |
23 | 145 | |
|
ATENOLOL
Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Source: National Library of Medicine |
96
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
91
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 4% of all patients |
24 | 18 | |
|
NEXIUM
Treats heartburn, gastroeso... + Treats heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid. Source: National Library of Medicine |
85
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
12
prescriptions. |
<11 | 25 | 75 | |
|
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 |
84
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
84
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 4% of all patients |
26 | 22 | |
|
ALLOPURINOL
Treats gout and some kinds ... + Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Source: National Library of Medicine |
81
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
81
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 4% of all patients |
27 | 24 | |
|
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 |
81
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
69
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 3% of all patients |
27 | 23 | |
|
FLUOXETINE HCL
Fluoxetine is used to treat... + Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Source: National Library of Medicine |
79
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
55
prescriptions. |
<11 | 29 | 46 | |
| TRANSDERM-SCOP |
75
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
17
prescriptions. |
<11 | 30 | 265 | |
|
ZETIA
Lowers cholesterol in your ... + Lowers cholesterol in your blood. Source: National Library of Medicine |
72
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
67
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 4% of all patients |
31 | 76 | |
| SELENIUM SULFIDE |
64
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
19
prescriptions. |
<11 | 32 | 324 | |
|
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 |
64
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
59
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 3% of all patients |
32 | 20 | |
|
MELOXICAM
Treats symptoms of osteoart... + Treats symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Source: National Library of Medicine |
63
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
58
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 4% of all patients |
34 | 34 | |
|
OXYBUTYNIN CHLORIDE
Oxybutynin is used to contr... + Oxybutynin is used to control urgent, frequent, or uncontrolled urination in people who have overactive bladder (a condition in which the bladder muscles have uncontrollable spasms), spina bifida (a disability that occurs when the spinal cord does not close properly before birth), or other conditions that affect the bladder muscles. Source: National Library of Medicine |
60
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
36
prescriptions. |
<11 | 35 | 73 | |
|
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 |
57
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
52
prescriptions. |
<11 | 36 | 28 | |
|
KLOR-CON M20
Potassium is essential for ... + Potassium is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Source: National Library of Medicine |
57
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
57
prescriptions. |
<11 | 36 | 131 | |
|
AZITHROMYCIN
Treats infections caused by... + Treats infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine |
56
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
41
prescriptions. |
42
patients, 11% of all patients |
A | 38 | 53 |
|
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 |
54
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
41
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 6% of all patients |
39 | 42 | |
|
CLONAZEPAM
Treats seizures, panic diso... + Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
53
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
41
prescriptions. |
<11 | 40 | 52 | |
|
CITALOPRAM HBR
Citalopram is used to treat... + Citalopram is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
52
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
47
prescriptions. |
<11 | 41 | 21 | |
|
SERTRALINE HCL
Sertraline is used to treat... + Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Source: National Library of Medicine |
50
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
29
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 3% of all patients |
42 | 19 | |
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 July 9, 2007.
- 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.