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anything other than asacol?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/2/2010 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
hello I am new to the forum. I was just diagnosed in November with UC after a flare up. My GI prescribed Asacol 2 pills three times a day for me, it seemed to work fairly well but the problem is I can't afford it :( I have health insurance but my deductible is $6000 and prescriptions are not covered... the asacol costs me $365/month out of pocket... does anyone know any way to get this medication cheaper or have any suggestions I can give to my GI to prescribe instead?
Posted 3/2/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. The only UC med that is cheaper than Asacol is sulfasalazine, but many people can't tolerate it as it's a sulfa drug. You could always try it, though. You might want to check some of the patient assistance programs for the drugs. If you go to the "sticky" thread at the top of the main page titled "UC resources" there is a link to a site called NeedyMeds that has links to all of the patient assistance programs for the drugs used to treat UC.
Posted 3/2/2010 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
It might make sense for you to order from Canada. I used to order from Canada when I had no insurance and didn't know about patient assistance programs. I would say that you should get into the PA Program but I don't know if you are eligible since you are insured. You should look into it: http://www.pgpharma.com/patient_assistance.shtml


I was getting my Asacol for free all year.

Posted 3/2/2010 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
thank you so much! I will definitely look into the PA programs although off the bat it looks like I may not qualify. Do you know any reliable websites for ordering from Canada?
Posted 3/2/2010 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Should you go the sulfasalazine route (which I have taken for 20+ years), I recommend the enteric formulation as it is more easily tolerated.
Posted 3/2/2010 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
If you don't have an allergy to sulfa drugs I'd definitely suggest sulfasalazine...I was hoping to go on it for the same reasons as you but unfortunately have medical allergies. You also need to take a certain vitamin supplement with it...folate I think? I think Lialda may be SLIGHTLY cheaper than asacol but not much. And definitely look into patient assistance.

It sucks that this is such an expensive disease to treat, I graduated with my bachelor's in May and am going for my Ph.D next year so I can't really get a real job and am stuck paying for all sorts of ridiculous expenses (on top of my student loans too!) partially because I'm allergic to all of the cheap first line maintanence meds...azithioprine is pretty cheap though so I'm hoping it works for me. You don't want to use it if 5-ASAs are working for you tho.
Posted 3/3/2010 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I use Universal Drugstore - universaldrugstore.com
Posted 3/3/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I take generic Colazal (balsalazide disodium) and for me, it seems to work as well as the Asacol did and is MUCH cheaper. I believe the cash price at Costco is around $80 for 270 pills (I take 9 daily). If you have insurance, you'll likely get a discount on top of the cash price, even if it is going to your deductible.
Posted 3/6/2010 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Generic asacol 400 mg is available in Canada for less than 30 cents a tablet. Colazal as mentioned is generic in the US if you have generic coverage,it is affordable.

For those that use Canasa 1000mg suppositories, they are sold as Salofalk for less than $70 for 30 in Canada.

Post Edited (AZYooper) : 3/6/2010 11:59:00 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/6/2010 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I need to figure this one out too. My insurance covers Asacol but at the high tier co-pay. I much prefer the cheap tier copay!
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