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Posted 2/6/2013 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I'm about to change my prescription coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Highmark. Lialda isn't covered on my formulary list. Does anybody take anything in the generic form or is that the beauty of Lialda - the delayed release part of it?

Thanks!
Posted 2/6/2013 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
If you are in the US, then there are no generic forms of Meslamine available via the oral route of the medicine (it is available in generic form from Canadian pharmacies). You have the brandnamed Asacol HD, Lialda, and such to choose from which use the very expensive delayed-release coating. Lialda is the only once a day version. Asacol HD is taken three times a day.

Colazal (Balsalazide) does not use the expensive delayed-release coating, so it is slightly cheaper by Meslamine standards. It just comes in a standard medicine capsule which you can open up and mix with applesauce or whatever and eat that way. It is a 3 times a day thing though.
Posted 2/6/2013 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Colazal is a generic as balasalizide disoium on my BCBS plan. It is broken down into mesalamine in the colon. It basically operates like the various coated tablets of mesalamine. It works for me.
Posted 2/6/2013 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I think that Asacol (not Asacol HD) should be available in generic form in the summer.  According to the FDA website, patent protection for Asacol expires July 30, 2013. 

Lialda has a patient assistance program but I am not sure if you need insurance coverage to take advantage of cost savings.  You should look into it.

Posted 2/6/2013 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
you can also look at Apriso. It is a once a day also
Posted 2/6/2013 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! Just to reiterate I'm transferring to Highmark. BCBS has been so nice so far but unfortunately I don't have the option to stay on it anymore. Ill look into the patient assistance program. Looks like ill be paying 70% of my cost for Lialda. Ughhhhhh. What has anyone experiences going off it? I started on Lialda and now I understand I take it to promote healthy cell growth.
Posted 2/7/2013 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
If you are not allergic to sulpha, go with generic colazal. It is not extended release but get activated in the intestines and releases same drug.
Posted 2/7/2013 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
You could order the generic from Canada. It's not cheap but it's a lot less than buying it here.
Posted 2/7/2013 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Is generic Colazal (Balsalazide ) a sulpha drug? health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ulcerative-colitis/medications.html

I do not think it has sulfa and is Tier1 on most Highmark formularies. I think Asacol is tier 2 (vs tier 3 Lialda).

I would take some other pill more than once a day if my Lialda was not covered.
Posted 2/7/2013 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
If Lialda keeps you in remission, I would recommend paying for it, whatever it takes. Look at what it will cost you (with the patient assistance program or if you decide to order generic from Canada), and ask yourself if you would pay that much money to get back into remission if you flare. The answer is probably yes, except once you flare it might be too late.
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