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Entocort: Effectiveness/Cost

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/27/2010 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
    I've been struggling with a flair for quite a while now.  I did a long coarse of pred which I eventually was able to taper off.  I've also been on cort enemas for the last seven months or so.  At one point we started azathioprine, however my liver enzymes went through the roof and It was discontinued after about ten weeks.  Too bad because it was working.  The azathioprine is now working its way out of my system and I'm noticing a slow increase in symtoms. 

    My GI had mentioned that Entocort would probably be the next step.  I'm hesitant about going on this drug as I understand it is expensive and I currently have no insurance.  I also don't have a lot of confidence in Entocort from what I've read on this forum. 

    I guess my questions are: 1) Have any of you had success to the point of remission from Entocort?  2) How much is this drug costing you?

Thanks in advance!

John

Posted 4/27/2010 7:38 AM (GMT 0)

It IS helping me, just not as quick as I would like.

It is HUGE expensive, but you may qualify for some aid of some sort.  I have no info or knowledge of that, just guessing.

My monthly co-pay is $75.  I checked and the total cost would be almost $1100 for a 30 day supply of 90 pills.

I have been taking it for 2 months and have gone from having problems every 2-3 days to 13-16 days between episodes.  My GI already wants to talk about tapering......not sure I am ready yet since I don't feel like I am "there" yet.

Not sure what you have read, but some of the others would much rather have had the Ento rather than Pred.  It is supposed to be more directed to Crohns, but hey, it's helping me.......of course I don't have crohns ruled out yet.

Good luck either way.


Posted 4/27/2010 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
The Entocort helped me a lot also. I noticed the effects immediatley. I still bled, but didn't have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom. I was only on three pills per day for about a week though, as it gave me tachycardia. I took it for about forty days in all. When I tapered down to two pills, my symptoms returned until I started Rowasa, but what do you expect if you only stay on it such a short time... You should probably pay attention and see if you hypertension acts up once/if you start.



If I flare this badly again I'll surely wan to try it again before Prednisone.
Posted 4/27/2010 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Like Levi, I have had fantastic results from Entocort, but the doc will not prescribe more than a few weeks at full dose, and when I taper, I fall apart again. Oddly, the docs will prescribe Pred willy nilly, but they really seem to be overcautious with Entocort, which doesn't enter your system anywhere near as much.
Posted 4/27/2010 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah, the Ento is a glucocorticosteroid.  Made special to dissolve and treat the intestines, especially the small, and not be a systemic treatment through the bloodstream.
Posted 4/27/2010 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Entocort was the ONLY RX that alleviated my symptoms (other than Rowasa).

I was apprehensive about taking it but I ended up loving it for the time was on it. I felt like Superwoman, so much energy, no bleeding, still some urgency and multiple bathroom trips daily. My side effects were bruising but nothing else I can now remember.
Of course that good time ended after the course ended and I was back gradually to same old same old.

It was expensive and I got tired of the pharmacy techs making remarks about that. Gee do they think I don't know how much it cost?
I have RX coverage but only after my $6100 family deductible is met. That year I met the deductible pretty early which tells you how sick I was. This year I am probably not going to come close to the deductible. A good year.
Posted 4/27/2010 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your input. It sounds like it may be worth a shot.

mdf34 I don't see that they have any patient assistance programs for this drug. Bummer!
Posted 4/27/2010 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Man, bummer.  I wish I knew how to help with that.
Posted 4/27/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm somewhat discourged to read this. Our daughter will begin Entocorte tomorrow. She has UC but the majority of her ailments are joint pain. Bad joint pain...affects her movements, especially her ankles and knees. I was under the impression Entecorte would help with the joint pain long term. Most of what I have read appears that it is a short term med? I was told by the Dr that it's very expensive; thankfully our insurance is great. She mentioned that recently it has doubled in price and she isn't sure why.
Posted 4/27/2010 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yea, you know I guess I can't complain. I've been getting my asacol free for 5 years now. I'm going through the process of getting insurance through our state "uninsurable" program, but this takes time. Plus once I get on it there's a six month exclusionary period for preexisting conditions. I just can't see dealing with this disease without insurance any further....Thanks for your concern!
Posted 4/27/2010 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Entocort improved my symptoms only marginally. Because they thought at the time that it was "topical" and not absorbed systemically, I was on it for too long and got osteoporosis and avascular necrosis. Be sure if you do try it that you keep to the short term dosing schedule.
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