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Just finished radiation, Cialis way too expensive, suggestions

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Posted 9/13/2018 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Just finished radiation, and have prescription for Cialis. Blue Cross paying $300 total for 30 tabs of 10mg. This leaves an out of pocket balance of $2100! Obviously, this is way too expensive for a commoner like me to afford. Does anyone have suggestions to lower this to make affordable? Tomorrow I will call Blue Cross, perhaps an appeal is possible. I've read on here some insurance only covers 20 tabs monthly; and some guys buying from Canada. Any suggestions most appreciated.
Posted 9/13/2018 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
There is also a generic viagra, Sildenafil. I sometimes use a 20 mg tab and that works.
Posted 9/14/2018 12:15 AM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
There is also a generic viagra, Sildenafil. I sometimes use a 20 mg tab and that works.

Do you get a prescription for it in the US? is it only available for pulmonary arterial hypertension? Thanks

Post Edited (Steve Smith) : 9/13/2018 6:22:38 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/14/2018 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, my health provide (Kaiser) covers it if you've had treatment for PC. I just paid a normal co-pay.

Post RT, I found that my ED problem wasn't that bad and only need it occasionally.

There is also a 5mg tablet for Cialis, and shop around a little, but your first course should be to discuss with insurance.

Andrew
Posted 9/14/2018 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Steve,

I had to go the generic sildenafil route, since all the other options were so expensive, even on retiree BCBS.

And dang if even the generic can be pricey at many places!!

Fortunately, my uro worked with me and wrote the script as hard copy, so I could shop it around. I found that with the GoodRX coupon available free online, I could fill it at one of the big boxes that has pharmacy inside, and it was dirt cheap. Other big name pharmacies wanted arm+leg--can't explain this except under "price gouging" logic.

I did have to get the 20mg version, but just use two or three at a time, as needed. No biggie.

Now, generic viagra is usually taken 1/2 - 1 hr before "needed", as opposed to some of the other ED drugs, which keep you "ready" all the time. So that does take some planning, but it's workable if the alternative is "nothing".

Boy, these drug companies and their policies...


Good luck.

Robert
Posted 9/14/2018 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
A few months ago the way to get the generic version of Viagra was to write the prescription so it looked like you were buying the generic version of Revatio which is the same drug but your doctor had to prescribe 20mg pills (which you would take several at a time.) But the patent for the actual drug called viagra has just expired and you can find inexpensive generic sildenafil in 50 and 100mg pills (just like the brand name Viagra.) You still sort of need to know the secret handshake to find the generic price. GoodRx.com has a search engine that lets you check the best prescription drug prices available at local pharmacies and the differences between one pharmacy and another can be huge. Sometimes the same bottle of pills you can get for $35 at one place will ring at $1,500 next door. But with patience you can get sildenafil at prices that won't crush you.

The patents for the other two big ED drugs are in the process of expiring, too, but it will take a while for the lower generic prices to work themselves out. I would expect that by this time in 2020 you should be able to get any of the three at sensible prices.

But for now, it's still sildenafil (Viagra).

Don't forget to check Goodrx.com.
Posted 9/14/2018 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Steve ....e-mail me if you want the Canadian pharmacy I buy from....they take Visa and you can get the generic and real stuff.....I got the generic Viagra and Cialis and it`s pretty cheap.....they are on the level and need your doc to fax a prescription and you will need to fax a copy of your drivers license....they are very prompt with mailing , no problems ....not sure about putting this information on my post ...don`t want to do anything wrong .....David
Posted 9/14/2018 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
My insurance won't cover rehab so my uro wrote an Rx for sildenafil, 20mg, 1 per day, with enough refills for a year. I get it filled at a compounding pharmacy for $2/pill which doesn't break the bank. I take it most days but occasionally skip and bank them for special occasions.
Posted 9/14/2018 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Generic sildenafil - $10 with GoodRx at Sam's club (business member) for 30 tabs, 20mg.

My UHC Cobra policy covered 8 pills a month of any ED med after I appealed their denial, as ED happened only after I had the prostate RP, which they paid for. Therefore a direct result of something they approved.

Didn't matter what pill / size, just 8, so I got the 20mg Cialis and cut them up to get ~ 5mg per day.

Medicare doesn't pay for any ED med, hence my discovery of the GoodRx route.
Posted 9/14/2018 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Vince,

While $2 a pill won't break the bank it is still probably five or six times what you need to pay. I gave GoodRx a zip code in Billings (the only Montana city that came to mind) and it found these prices for sildenafil 20mg 90 count: Costco = 27.80, Albertsons = 34.70, Kroger = 36.40, Shopko = 36.80.

You'll need to print a free coupon from GoodRx.
Posted 9/14/2018 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. You guys are the best!
Posted 9/14/2018 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
My doc was very cool, and gave me a crapload of samples in a nice brown paper bag. The sales people load the offices up with all kinds of stuff, and most are happy to pass them along to patients. I am currently waiting on Lyrica for my leg pain.
Posted 9/14/2018 7:34 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
There is also a generic viagra, Sildenafil. I sometimes use a 20 mg tab and that works.

I take this and it costs like $30.00 for 30 pills! yeah Works pretty darn good too! LOL!
Posted 9/14/2018 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
One week post HDR (15 fractions IGRT before that). Most of the numbness gone now. Just temporary trauma. Whew! For you guys that mentioned Viagra generic with GoodRX coupon, that is what I did. $12 at Kroger. Can't beat it! Good luck to all and cheers
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