Lialda conversion to Apriso

Hi and welcome to the forum. A typical dose of apriso is 1,500 milligrams per day (or 4 capsules, each capsule being 375 milligrams) taken all in the morning. It's a lower dose than lialda, as clinical trials showed apriso to be as effective at lower doses.

I'd get the apriso copay savings card as well: www.aprisorx.com/apriso/savings-card

I'm revisiting this thread in case it helps anyone with a similar situation. As iPoop said, the standard dosage of Apriso (4 pills) equals 1.5g of Mesalamine. My dosage of Lialda was 4.8g.

I am really very leery of switching and reducing my Mesalamine dose so drastically for the sole reason that Blue Cross doesn't cover Lialda. Compounding this is the fact that I've never been in endoscopic remission, only clinical remission and I will ultimately be put on a biologic (haven't yet as I've moved a couple times this year and doctors want to wait until I'm staying in one place.)

I'm likely going to pay full price for a one month supply of Lialda because I just don't want to risk it in the midst of another move. By this time next month, I'll be in my new location, new insurance and hopefully won't have to deal with this issue. But in the short term, I'm just scared of poking the bear by arbitrarily dropping my dosage down so significantly and rapidly. Especially when I can feel there's some inflammation going on. I've never had blood and with Lialda only BM once or twice a day (always mushy), but I can tell when I don't feel right down there.

sonvolt

Afraid not - looks like only Apriso, Mesalamine enemas, and Remicade. I've signed up for the Lialda card, thanks.

sonvolt

I say be careful and cautious with this. My insurance company demanded that I switch to Apriso (after being fairly well-controlled on Lialda for about half a year) and within a month I was horribly ill because of the difference in dose/effect. I was assured that the meds were the same, which obviously was not the case, and now after two years, I am still dealing with fallout from the switch. I was "allowed" to return to Lialda after my doctor proved to my insurance company that I had tried Apriso (the less expensive medication) with bad results.

It was not worth it at all, though. The months I spent on Apriso (proving that it was ineffective for me so insurance would let me switch back) set my health back by YEARS. If it is at all possible, I recommend trying to avoid the switch entirely. I have no idea if that is actually possible what with all of the evil insurance regulations, but maybe your doctor could help you find a solution? Especially with the differences in dose.

Good luck!