Deals on prescription drugs are easy to find...thanks to new Web sites that will do the bargain hunting for you! But there are some downsides to the discounts, so it's good to be informed.

Ilene Stern loves a great bargain, and clips coupons for everything from cleaning products to gift items.

"It's always nice when I'm going to the cash register and I take out my coupon and I'm paying less than the woman standing next to me," Ilene admits.

But Ilene says she never even thinks to look for a coupon for her medications.

"I did not know that there were coupons for prescription drugs," Ilene said.

There are! In fact, you can find coupons for all kinds of brand-name prescriptions. Like drugs for asthma, high blood pressure, and sleep problems. Don't know where to find a deal? New Web sites like 'Optimize RX' list all the available offers for you.

David Harrell works for 'Optimize RX'. He says, "The savings programs range from coupons where you can get a portion of your co-pay, such as $15 off your co-pay, some include a rebate program where you simply fill out a form to get reimbursement."

You can also get free trials. We found coupons for three of the five most commonly prescribed drugs...including one for Lipitor offering up to $180 off co-pays for a year. Ilene was able to find one for her thyroid prescription too.

"There was a coupon that allowed me to have 30 days for free with an option to renew three additional times," Ilene remembers.

The American Medical Association's Dr. Edward Langston says these coupons can be a way to cut healthcare costs.

"If it's for medication that you're taking and that is going to be something that you take for a long period of time, then I don't see any real problem with that. Why not?" Dr. Langston says.

But Dr. Langston warns patients shouldn't push physicians for a prescription change just because a coupon is available. His advice for the prescribing doctors: "We can't use the coupons to dictate the right medication for you."

The Food and Drug Administration is now planning a study to see if the coupons prevent patients from paying attention to drug risks. A coalition of dozens of consumer groups is calling on the agency to go even further and ban them altogether. Alex Sugerman-Brozan does prescription access litigation.

"We need to stop treating prescription drugs like shampoo and fabric softener. These are not just consumer products, they're medical treatments," Sugerman-Brozan says.

The group worries the coupons interfere with the doctor-patient relationship…and because they are only for brand-name drugs, they claim there can be a false sense of savings.

"In many instances, a brand name drug with a coupon is still more expensive than a generic drug," Sugerman-Brozan explains.

Harrell says the discounts are intended for patients who don't have the option of going generic. "If you're on multiple mediations those savings can add up very quick and really help you better afford your healthcare and get the most out of each dollar you spend," he says.

Ilene is thrilled with the savings she found and can't wait to cash in her coupon.

"Anytime I could take advantage of a coupon, I would take advantage of it. Today's economy, it doesn't make sense not to," Ilene says.

We contacted several of the largest drug companies. Only AstraZeneca responded sending us a statement saying, "AstraZeneca recognizes that some patients may have difficulty affording a co-pay, and our coupons may help patients whose physicians have prescribed them an AstraZeneca medication."

When using prescription coupons, read the fine print. Many are not valid for mail-in orders and can only be used at brick and mortar pharmacies. If you are on plans like Medicare and Medicaid, read the conditions too, since often the coupons don't apply.