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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/26/2014 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hello! My son is newly diagnosed with UC after a couple of years of issues. Pretty severe flareup last month landed him in the hospital with a great IG who diagnosed him pretty quickly. He was prescribed Pentasa which, as you probably know, is crazy expensive. He has also heard Lialda is good, and maybe cheaper. ANyone have experience with both and can speak to the efficacy of either or both? Also, is it true the Lialda is much cheaper? He hates to hang a decision on money, but if both are good, then you do have to consider cost too. Thanks so much!
Posted 10/26/2014 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Both are name brand drugs, and will vary a lot in price depending on insurance plan, distribution network, and whether manufacturer discount cards are available.

Lialda is time release, so you take fewer pills.

the main difference is the coatings or release method (drug is the same) - depending on individual chemistry (mostly pH in colon) and specific location of inflammation one could work better than the other
Posted 10/26/2014 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't tried pentasa but it's actually not one of the more common medications used for treating UC. Lialda is designed to release in the large intesting, I think pentasa releases a bit earlier, so Lialda/Asacol/Delzicol are usually prescribed. I think it all costs the same with my insurance. I switched from Asacol to Lialda with good results. I would hate to rock the boat if pentasa is working for him but he may do even better on Lialda, you really don't know unless you try. You could also give it a few weeks and switch back if he has symptoms. Lialda has a prescription assistance program that helps with out of pocket costs. Did you look into whether pentasa has one? The resources thread on the top of the main forum has a lot of useful resources including PAP Program details. Please take a look.
Posted 10/26/2014 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
I tried quite a few and everything is expensive.
It costs a fortune to be sick.

I made a spreadsheet to help me calculate the least expensive way to treat this.
I just published them to my server.
http://design42.com/UC/

Your costs will likely be different and your insurance may pay more than mine does.
But you can edit and figure out which will cost the least.

I figured I would start with the least expensive and work my way up till we found something that worked.

(After trying lots of things and samples, nothing seems to work any better than anything else. Lialda is the least inconvenient and less expensive.)
Posted 10/26/2014 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Google for the discount cards if your doctor isn't giving them to you.
And ask for samples.
Posted 10/26/2014 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
There is one generic oral mesalamine called balsalazide. It is the generic for Colazal.

There is another generic med used for UC called sulfazine. It is an older med and has more side effects but might be a reasonable choice for your son.

Your son should also be using rectal meds. Rectal mesalamine retention enemas are very effective in combination with oral mesalamine. There are generics for this, too.
Posted 10/26/2014 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on lialda, canasa and Anucort (both suppositories) I've beeb in a flare since may so I don't think lialda is helping, however both lialda and canasa have an prescription card that cut the cost!
Posted 10/27/2014 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
i personally have not taken lialda but have heard from someone that there is a patient assistance program that makes it $10 a month. I am not entirely sure how the program works, but I think you'd need to call the drug company to see if it's still an option.
Posted 10/27/2014 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
These are listed in order of cost per day after current discounts.
At least where I researched it.

Balsalazide Disodium
750mg Capsule Per Day 9

APRISO
0.375g Capsule Er 24h Per Day 4

LIALDA
1.2g Tablet Dr Per Day 2 to 4

DELZICOL
400mg Capsule Dr Per Day 6

ASACOL HD
800mg Tablet Dr Per Day 3

PENTASA
500mg Capsule Per Day 8

PENTASA
250mg Capsule Er Per Day 16
Posted 10/27/2014 7:10 PM (GMT 0)

UC89 said...
i personally have not taken lialda but have heard from someone that there is a patient assistance program that makes it $10 a month. I am not entirely sure how the program works, but I think you'd need to call the drug company to see if it's still an option.

It can make it $10 a month if you co-pay is $130 or less. If your co-pay is more, for example mine is 35% on brand name, then you just get $120 off the co-psy. This is very good, but it is NOT $10/mo if I do 90 tablets (3x daily). With my insurance prices, I can get about 69 tablets for $12.
Posted 10/27/2014 7:13 PM (GMT 0)

Not Happy Yet! said...
These are listed in order of cost per day after current discounts.
At least where I researched it.

Balsalazide Disodium
750mg Capsule Per Day 9

APRISO
0.375g Capsule Er 24h Per Day 4

LIALDA
1.2g Tablet Dr Per Day 2 to 4

DELZICOL
400mg Capsule Dr Per Day 6

ASACOL HD
800mg Tablet Dr Per Day 3

PENTASA
500mg Capsule Per Day 8

PENTASA
250mg Capsule Er Per Day 16


But you are comparing 4g of Pentasa to 2.4g of DELZICOL & ASACOL - I have not heard that more grams of Pentasa is required.

Also, Pentasa may be better for far right colon because it releases early, and Lialda may be better for sigmoid colon because it releases later. If the cheaper drug works, fine. But if the flare persists and you are not using the best drug for the specific problem areas, then that may be false economy.

Post Edited (DBwithUC) : 10/27/2014 1:25:57 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/27/2014 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
These are just various things I have been prescribed or compared.
I'm no pharmacist.

I made an Excel Spreadsheet so that I could compare the various drugs and their prices to see what was going to cost the least. Mostly just the 5ASAs.
I'm just guessing here, but was trying to get some idea what would be the least expensive way to go since this all costs so much.

Of course everyone has different insurance and is prescribed different amounts.

But, if you want to download the spreadsheet and put in your own costs and amounts, you can easily compare prices to find out which will cost least.

http://design42.com/UC/

We traded in both cars for one with a single lower payment and canceled DirecTV and now we can afford for me to be sick.
Posted 10/27/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
The cost does suck. No two ways about that. But 5asa are still cheaper than biologics (for most people.)
Posted 10/27/2014 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
My husband's company was spun off. We can choose new insurance in 5 days.
I will sure choose more carefully this time.
Posted 10/27/2014 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm located in the US and assuming you are too. When I was in college and dropped by my health insurance my Doctor really worked with me. Your son should talk to his physician. We did three things to get low cost/no cost to me meds:

1. Free samples from the doctor.
2. Drug company assistance program (many companies give or practically give medications away- you have to not make too much money. The companies get a tax break).
3. Canada- my Doctor faxed prescriptions to a Canadian pharmacy. It was much cheaper. I would check to see if this is legally okay.
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