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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/28/2009 3:58 PM (GMT 0)

I am 66 years old and have suffered with ulcerative for 27 years. I used SULFASALAZINE for those 27 years...I have been in remission for the last 10 years!

I had a relapse in November. The Dr. gave me LIALDA! It has been wonderful. No symptons and much easier to live with. The COST is my problem! Even with insurance my first months suppy was $238. OUCH!!!

Has anyone else had experience with this drug?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Posted 1/28/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Doc switched me to lialda a couple weeks ago, but gave me samples to try it... am just going to find out today or tomorrow how much it will be for me with my insurance... Now, after hearing your price.... I'm scared. LOL
Posted 1/28/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
My insurance covers it except for the $50 deductible. It works aight. Its not the holy grail, but it does its job. Its identical to Asacol; there's just more of the active drug in it per pill, so you can take less of it at a time. If cost is a problem, see if Asacol is cheaper. Its literally the same thing.
Posted 1/28/2009 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if this applies to you, but my first prescription for Lialda each year is very expensive too (like $200 or so). Once my deductible is met it goes down to $30 a month. I take 2 each day. My doc has told me that I can try going down to 1 a day, but I am too scared to try it!:) Anyway, I'm sure it depends on your insurance. For me, though, the fewer pills each day the better! tongue
Posted 1/28/2009 6:09 PM (GMT 0)

LIALDA is mesalamine - advantage is taking it once a day instead of so many several times a day as ASacol.  If cost if the problem, ask doctor about Asacol - same medication.  Did not work for me but works great for many!

ElaineNY

Posted 1/28/2009 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the fedback!

I am on Medicaid Part D. That may have something to do with why it will cost me so much...the drug is expensive in any case!

What about Sulfasalizine? Has it been successfull for any of you?

There was an immediate good result for me useing the Lialda.
Posted 1/28/2009 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
My Lialda is in the highest teir for my insurance. I pay $45 a month and my doctor will give me samples from time to time. I take 4 a day. The cost of all of my monthly medicines is more than our monthly insurance premium so even though we pay $350 a month to have me insured and have a $2500 a year deductible, it still costs us less to have the insurance than if we didn't.
Posted 1/28/2009 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Does Medicaid support doing three month supplies? You might be able to catch a break doing that. Otherwise I would look into Asacol, another 5ASA, but less expensive. The downside to Asacol is that you have to take more of them through out the day instead of just once or twice a day. I've taken both Asacol and Lialda and haven't really noticed a difference in how they worked.

When I first started on Lialda, my doctor gave me a Lialda discount card because he knew I was concerned about price. I never used it because my insurance covers most of the cost. Ask your doc about it, or maybe go to the Lialda manufacturer's website to see if they have info on discounts. Good luck.
Posted 1/28/2009 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am surprised I haven't heard anyone mention Sulfasalizine. I have taken this for 27 years...never heard of Lialda until I had a new GP and he suggested it. Now I am reading about Asacol...

I have never been hospitalized. After reading this tread I don't think my problem is as bad as many of you. BUT when anyone is having an episode it is BAD!

As I am just now educating myself about these drugsI will have more questions to ask. I just found this site...wish I had known about it earlier!
Posted 1/28/2009 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome.
Don't different Part D plans cover different assortments of drugs? Find one that covers it, maybe.

I was prescribed sulfasalizine in the 1980s but was slightly allergic to it. Fortunately I was put into a drug study for Asacol (5-ASA) and it worked better by far anyway.
You're right, I don't think GIs rely on it much anymore, the new drugs have proven more effective I guess. Or more costly...
Posted 1/29/2009 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
I was taking colazal... then swithced to lialda.... not sure why but big difference. I know same drug, but big difference. Hoping by tomorrow I will know how much my insurance co-pay is.
Posted 1/29/2009 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
unclebubba, would love to know what you have to pay...

I got on the Lialda website and printed off a 30 day trial offer...with a Dr. prescription.

I am going to finish off the remaining Lialda , get the trial offer and ease my way back to the sulfasalazine.

This cronic disease is NO FUN!...

Posted 1/29/2009 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Petty, cost has something to do with my choice!!!! That is too bad!

 

Posted 1/29/2009 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Just got the word... I will have to pay $60 a month for Lialda. Not horrible, but the samples the doc gave me came with a phone number I am to call if I have to pay over $25. Am going to give it a call later today and find out whats what. Maybe some program of the company. Will keep ya informed of what I find.
Posted 1/29/2009 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
unclebubba, good news for you about the cost!
Posted 1/31/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
The company approved me... instead of my 60 co-pay.. I'll only have to pay $25. at least for the next year... at which point I hope to be off all meds. This was a special plan through the makers of lialda. I got the info from the sample my doc gave me.... but I think from their message on the machine that their web site also has info on this plan....
Posted 1/31/2009 3:22 PM (GMT 0)

Glad you could get the help.  I am so lucky to have a Government plan because my husband was in the Army - retired.  I pay only $9 for brand medications per month - no matter what they are. 

I hope you get into full remission but remember as I have learned here you should probably take maintenance medications to keep it from returning.

ElaineNY

Posted 2/4/2009 2:45 AM (GMT 0)

I was switched to Lialda several months ago.  I was given a card from with my samples...that is from the company...it had me register my information BUT my medicine will NEVER cost me more that $25.00 a month.  Maybe call the pharmasutical company or get online and find out. 

I hope this information will prove useful to some!

Leigh

Posted 2/4/2009 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
I think I can keep getting cards also... am unsure of that... but they told me this card was only good for this year. But they kept asking me if this was my first card, so I assume I can keep getting more from the doc.
Posted 2/4/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I had only received one card and was told it would last my lifetime.  Hopefully that is true.  Any help is worth it.  Because if I would have to pay cash I think they told me that it was going to be $330.00 a month.

i would like to get some feed back as to how much Lialda people are taking.  And if it has caused a flare up ever?  I understand that it can and wanted to know how other people are handling their medications.

Have a great night and thank you for the info Unclebubba!

Leigh

Posted 2/4/2009 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I take 4 Lialda in the morning. Haven't been on it quite a year yet but have had no problems and Lialda along with 6MP got me under control and I have remained in remission since starting it.

How do you say Lialda? I say "Lee All Duh" Some people say "Lie All Duh" I was just wondering what was correct.
Posted 2/5/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Picked up my Lialda from Wal-Mart today. The total price listed on the paper is $635.32 for a one month supply of 4 pills a day (total 120 pills). I paid $45 for my insurance copay.
Posted 2/5/2009 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

I take 2 every morning.

Without insurance, it is $321 a bottle (60 pills).  With my insurance, it is still $78.  Boo!

This past Monday, the Dr wants me to start Entocort and he said it was pretty expensive as well.  Not sure exactly how expensive as I am using the samples he gave me right now.

Posted 2/8/2009 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I got a free 15 day supply..coupon on the Lialda web site. I am on Medicare...Part D with Humana....and it is very expensive. My first and only prescription was $238! The next month will be a little less than that BUT way too much for me to continue! This is probably the only one I will get. Use up my 15 day free supply and hope for the best!

I have been on Salfasalizine since 1982. Had been in remission for at least 10 years until I had a flare up...after a colonoscopy...I have had so many of these , if I can ever get back to normal I will never have another one! Don't know if that caused the flare but I have been looked at sooooo much...enough already!
Posted 3/24/2009 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
you guys paying more then 25.00 should log on to lialda.com click on about lialda and go down to lialda patient assistance program. If you qualify you will pay 25.00 or less....... Have your doctor write you script for 1-4 pills daily so you can get 120 a month.
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