Xifaxin Users in Canada

Probably lots of folks are aware of this but for those who are not ... Xifaxan used to be federally approved and funded but that's "run out".  A new drug "Zaxine" is the same drug, and is funded by SOME of the private insurance companies but not Blue Cross or Alberta Works (a drug plan for disabled folks).  Anyway ... after my prescription is done, I can no longer use it as there's no funding available and I can't afford $1,000.00 a month.

Phooey ... it was really helping.  My hepatologist's office has no alternative to offer, either.  They just say we all have to take our chances. 

So upsetting ... HE is such a b**ch to control and Xifaxan was helping so much!  I have enough for a few weeks.

 

Salix has a patient assistance program. Here is a link to the pdf file

cdn.salix.com/xifaxan550/assets/pdf/xifaxan-patient-assistance-program-application.pdf


Ziff

Butterfly - it might apply - I just found out yesterday - I think the decision was made in December. They couldn't even fill what was left on my current prescription. If, like me, you get your prescriptions filled directly at the hospital outpatient pharmacy, check with them - mine was the Foothills in Calgary and they're extremely knowledgeable. They did tell me Blue Cross isn't covering but each company has to review the drugs they do cover by July this year.

David - they considered those two but this transplant clinic doesn't want folks to be on them indefinitely ... they use it if they need to when it gets out of control. My clinic says one of them (sorry don't remember which one) causes nerve damage if you're left on it indefinitely.

Ziff ... I tried the patient assistance program - it's only for US patients.

Currently am cutting my dosage to once a day and hoping it lasts until I move. Thankfully there's a hospital two blocks from my new home ... it's a small community but they can deal with HE at least. It may change if the numbers of folks in ER with HE rise dramatically but it's sure not good news.

Deb, I've had to stretch mine out a few times. Supposed to have been taking two 550 a day and went to one a day. Didn't see any negative effects for the month I had to it. I gotta say I do like your attitude about the situation. Little things like that go along way in dealing with the disease.


Ziff

So let me get this straight....you can go to a walk in clinic to get methadone if you are a heroin addict, but you can't get xifaxan from a DOCTOR at a pharmacy when you are dying of liver disease? Will they hold the morphine from the dying soldiers after an IED explosion if they are in the Canadian army and are simply DYING. What kind of world is this? It makes me almost crazy.

More folks are dying of Hep C and liver disease than from AIDS people!

Grrr,

Carol I'm not that sick yet but it does make me really angry for those who are. The docs were frustrated too ... but like David says, there are alternatives. It's the same situation for Sovaldi and some of the other drugs coming up. Unless I can get on a trial I won't be able to take it.

Ziff ... if you're going to make it addictive, I choose heroin. Crack is yucky. :) You have my vote. ;)

The possible cumulative damage from HE is frightening ... but we only get one day at a time, right? Today I'm ok.

WTG Deb!!

LOL One who doesn't practice any more. Those could be some crazy stories if I still was reporting - ironically it was the beginning of HEP C symptoms that prompted me to quit journalism ... I had no energy left and it is very demanding. I was just a little radio news reporter in Nelson BC Canada. But it was a hotbed for crime, environmental protestors, political intrigue and crazy religious sects trying to burn down the RCMP building, marijuana farmers and U.S. draft dodgers from the '70's. :)

Hi.saw the info about problems with sovaldi. I am in the u.s., but sovaldi emailed me to remind me me co pay coupon can be appled for up to 6 refills. The number I called to ask about financial support and was given my coupon code was 1 855 769 7284. They also offer 24/7 nurse line and lots of support. I hope you can reach them. And if you cannot, I can call and ask about help in Canada? Let me know. In my moments of sanity. I will be glad to try and help.
Music🎶

Just for reference and I should have mentioned the number I posted above is for Canada and I have been using this number to speak with them for weeks.

Gilead Momentum Canada - 1-855-447-7977 <---Call here if you are in Canada and need forms faxed to you specialist or need to setup a case file

Gilead Momentum Canada FAX - 1-855-505-5885 <--- After you get your specialist to fill the forms and you fill your part fax it here and if they don't call back within 48 hours then start calling them and get them to open your case file if they already haven't

Gilead basically handled most everything, they faxed forms to my specialist after I called them at that number and then my specialist sent them by normal mail to me. When I go the forms I filled in just a few spaces my specialist as me to confirm on the left side of the document and that same day I faxed the paperwork to Gilead's Canadian FAX number .

Gilead also dealt with the Pharmacy to get the meds sent etc., they were very helpful and took care of so many things but I found they didn't alway's return calls when they said they would so I made sure to always call them back at which point they kindly asked if they could put me on hold to make calls etc. and every time they got things done.

Chelseafan,

Thanks for posting and welcome to Healing Well Hep forum.

Your news is important.

If you would like us to follow your Journey, start a new thread and tell us about your journey. Call it something like -- Alberta parent of handicapped patient seeks adequate Xifaxan coverage. Or provide support to others as you have here

Best to your family,

MamaLama