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Low-cost Canasa options

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/4/2009 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
As I posted last week, I've been experiencing a UC flare since the end of March, with a small amount of bleeding but no other symptoms. I follow the SCD diet and was completely med-free for about 9 months. I started taking sulfasalazine after a couple of weeks of SCD intro diet didn't help. At the end of last week, I had my doctor prescribe Canasa suppositories - but then the pharmacy called and told me my co-pay was $350 for one month! I went ahead and had them fill just enough to get me through the weekend and it seems to be helping - no bleeding on Saturday, a small amount yesterday, and none today.

My insurance doesn't cover Rowasa at all - so I think it's about the same price.

My question is whether anyone in the US knows of a reliable Canadian pharmacy or other source for low-cost Canasa. I found one Canadian pharmacy (www.canadianprescriptiondrugstore.com) that lists 30 1000mg suppositories for $75.

Or any other suggestions?

Kathy

UC since 12/05

sulfasalazine worked for a year, then started

SCD 07/07

med-free starting 7/08

flare started 3/23

back on sulfasalazine 3x/day plus Canasa for the past 3 days, improving

Posted 5/4/2009 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I used to buy Canasa (sallofalk) from CanadaDrugs.com. It is a lot cheaper in CA than it is here in the USA and it's the same exact thing. Now I go through Axcan's patient assistance program because I don't have insurance and it's $2 for me. I am not sure if you would be able to get into the program, you are supposed to be low income and uninsured. I paid A LOT more when I had insurance!!
Posted 5/4/2009 10:12 PM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
I used to buy Canasa (sallofalk) from CanadaDrugs.com. It is a lot cheaper in CA than it is here in the USA and it's the same exact thing. I am not sure if you would be able to get into the program, you are supposed to be low income and uninsured.

I'm not uninsured or low income, but my insurance coverage for this drug is horrible! I guess it's probably because it's not available as a generic yet. But if I can at least get it cheaper from Canada and know it's the same product, it makes sense. I just don't know how long I will have to keep using it so I'm exploring my options. Thanks for the info!
Posted 5/4/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Rowesa is available in generic, so that may be an option to explore. My GI says it's more effective than the Canasa -- but I can't seem to manage it, so I figure taking the Canasa consistently is better than not taking the Rowesa consistently (I cannot always keep it in). If you don't have a problem with the Rowesa, check into the cost of the generic.

Meesh
Posted 5/9/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
     Cort enemas worked the best for me.  They did give me Canasa in the hospital though.  Ask your GI doctor if he could give you samples...they get them for nothing from the drug company.
Posted 5/9/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
$75 sounds good to me...it would have cost us $287.00! First she tried cortifoam and is now using generic Rowasa with very good results.
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