Can't get AZA refilled..it's on backorder..major shortage!

Hi All,
I haven't posted in ages. I went back to work full time this summer as I sent my second child off to college. I just had my colonoscopy last week and I am fully in remission! No inflammation whatsoever. I wasn't surprised, as I've felt really good for many months now. I have religiously taken my meds, avoided trigger foods, exercised and am getting enough sleep.
Today I went to Walgreens to fill my aza prescription, and they informed me that there is a serious shortage and they have no idea when it will be back in stock. I am a bit panicked, as I attribute a lot of my recovery to it and the Lialda.
I put a call into my doc today about the situation. Is anyone else having this issue? My doc says he likes the biologics better than aza, but I think it's unwise to change my course of treatment when I'm symptom free and doing so well. I may have no choice, however, if this aza shortage is serious. I have had issues in the past with it being backordered for a few days, but this seems more grave. Any thoughts on the issue? Thanks and I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

www.ashp.org/menu/DrugShortages/CurrentShortages/Bulletin.aspx?id=935


hmmmm, that doesn't look promising :-(

what the eff ?

Thanks! I will call around to other pharmacies. It's just odd and no real reason is give. Soystud, thanks for the link. I've never seen that site before. You're kind to take the time to post that.

kinda looking like you're gonna have to source non-generics - interesting little education for me this morning -

I would call these guys maybe >


www.salix.com/products/azasan/


so what's the normal delivery mode ? injection ?

is there a difference as far as efficacy between tabs and injection ?

sorry, i'm kinda dumb about this stuff

Your doctor had a stupid idea. You don't mess with success. His blase attitude toward your health would have really ticked me off. Find tha AZA somewhere. As a last resort you could ration your dosage until you get more. If you absolutely had to switch I would switch to 6MP. Upping your Lialda is also a possibility as a bridge if you have to.

GOOD NEWS! My doctor's nurse was able to locate some Imuran (the name brand for aza). Walgreens is getting it in tomorrow. I'm hoping my insurance company doesn't give me a hard time about not using generic aza, but there is none out there. My nurse said that if we couldn't get the Imuran, we'd go to 6mp. And Soystud, I take tablets....175 mg. I would not be adverse to injections if I needed to go that route with this shortage.
I totally agree that I don't want to change my regime. It is amazing to be in remission and I wish that for all of you, my friends

I use Walgreen's also. I think I remember that there are three manufacturers of AZA. The one that supplies to Walgreen's is the only one that is able to fill any scripts right now. For the last couple of months, when I need to get mine refilled they tell me they don't have any available. Then a few days later they'll call and say they have a 30 day supply for me. Looks like that might be similar to what happened to you.

Post Edited (jacket fan) : 11/25/2014 2:58:07 PM (GMT-7)

Something is certainly off with drugs or FDA or both together. This is the 4th drug in a month that is backordered, and none of these drugs were fancy drugs !!!

Cita said...
ks1905...good point about the people who need aza for organ transplants. It is totally unacceptable that this is happening.
What was also bizarre was that my nurse said I was the first patient to call about this. My insurance only permits me to get 1 month at a time so I can't really stockpile. Again, thanks for all of your comments. I've missed you guys.

I'm glad you were able to get a refill.

You might be able to stock up a few if you don't let them run it through insurance. That's how I got my replacement for the bottle which fell in the water. Insurance wouldn't cover and I told the pharmacy I need it and I'll pay out of pocket. I got 20 pills for $20 something.

ks1905...excellent suggestion. I do that with my lialda.He had me on 4 pills and I went down to 2 but didn't change the rx, so it lasts longer.
Still don't have it. My pharmacist sent out a search to the nearest 100 walgreens and called cvs. The doc said we could do 6mp but I'd have to get new blood work done to adjust the dose.