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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/12/2017 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Here I am 7 years into this ulcerative colitis condition and going slowly broke!
Being on Medicare means you can't use any helpful discount cards for your UC meds. You get into the donut hole at your first 90 day prescription and then WHAM! a $250.00 and up co pay for a 30 day supply.
Presently on Apriso, patent expiration supposd to be 2018 but rumor has it that it may change to 2022.
So Im investigating Asacol, a drug I have never taken. Is it generic?
Any of you on it, please share your experience on it.
Yes, Im well aware we are all different when responding to our meds but would still like to know.
I do very well with Lialda and Apriso but cant afford it anymore so sad
thanks!
Posted 3/12/2017 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i'm pretty new to all this only had UC for about a year, diagnosed 4 months ago. When i was diagnosed they put me on 40mg of pred and Octasa (Cheaper version of Ascol) all i can say is that in 2 weeks ill finally be clear of the pred it worked an really well for me. the consultant has said ill be on them for the rest of my life but as there free thats not to much of a worry. hope that helps
Posted 3/12/2017 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
thanks, I will ask my doctor...is the Octasa a mesalamine?
Posted 3/12/2017 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in the usa and i get generic "Mesalamine DR" from my local riteaid pharmacy. It's made by zydus pharmaceuticals out of NJ. It's a $10 copay as a generic without the need for a discount card with my insurance. I got a prescription for asacol and it's a generic for it. Here's a link with more info to bring to your pharmacist.
www.zydususa.com/product-details/?id=216

Besides that, they're older generics like balsalazide disodium (colazal), Olsalazine (Dipentum) and Sulfasalazine.
Posted 3/13/2017 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I am on Medicare Part D and getting my Apriso free from the manufacturer. Go to their website (Salix)
https://www.salix.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/patient-medication-assistance

Download the form and fax it to them. Also call them, they are very helpful and nice. Hoping I still qualify next year!
Posted 3/13/2017 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think I meet the criteria for patient assistance
They don't consider the one persons income but the household incomes makes me ineligible....
Posted 3/13/2017 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
have you called and asked? I think they mentioned it could be as high as 300% of poverty level? Anyway, they did say it was easier to call and just ask as the formula was complicated.
Posted 3/14/2017 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks
I will chek it out and certainly call.
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