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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/9/2014 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Just checking with all those who have been using a Medicare Part D drug plan. My current insurance is changing and I will now be using the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan starting in January. I have left sided UC (Since I was 17. 50 years now). I am currently using the Rowasa Enema nightly and Lialda 2 tablets twice daily (I was able to use the Lialda Assistance Card this year) I talked with the company that handles the assistance and they told me I could not use the card once I changed to Medicare Part D. After pricing these 2 drugs on the Medicare site and seeing the cost I am looking to see if there are any alternative drug solutions for both of these as my out of pocket cost will exceed $3,400 yr. Any suggestions??

Thanks for any input.
Posted 10/9/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I don't see that there is any generic for Lialda, can you use another mesalamine drug.
Or can you get extra help from medicare.

Medicare part D can be quite tricky,and if your drug is not on the formulary you get no
catastrophic help.
Old Mike
Posted 10/9/2014 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
You would have to check the legality and cost, but what about having your doctor send the prescription to a Canadian pharmacy and ordering the drugs by mail? It may be a cost effective solution and worth the effort.
Posted 10/9/2014 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Old Mike,

I like your idea of another mesalamine drug. Any thoughts on a generic for left sided colitis. Probably needs to be coated like Lialda.

Colitisgrl,

I hadn't thought about Canada-might be an option.

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions.
Posted 10/9/2014 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Best to get that from people who take them,or your gi doc.
Since I don't take them I am not up on which ones work best.
Last thing I took was Azulfadine back in 1982 or so.
OM
Posted 10/10/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Rowasa is available in generics. Colazal is the major oral 5-ASA designed to treat left-sided UC. Standard dosage = 3 capsules 3 times daily. A generic form (Balsalazide disodium) came to market about 6 yrs ago; it works for some forum members posting here, but not for all of us. Those who have tried the generic commented in past posts that the Balsalazide made by Mylan seems more effective than others. [I happened to read recently on the Website of Senator Bernie Sanders (Vt.) that there has been a huge, unexplained price increase in generic Rx meds, which he intends to question via his subcommittee on health issues-- so you might want to keep this in mind.] My Part D ties in with former employment; to-date they've agreed to cover 2/3 of my brandname Colazal cost, only because my gastro certifies that I need it + it gets shipped to me in 90-day supply from out-of-state warehouse. Check your new formulary carefully to see if you have any possibility to appeal Lialda exclusion, or whether your plan would cover Apriso (= fewer capsules daily than Balsalazide/Colazal). I took sulfasalazine in the past & would not advise you to switch to it due to potential side effects from the sulfa component. Good luck in sorting this dilemma out! / Old Hat (34 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 10/10/2014 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Old Hat,

Thanks for the info. I took sulfa sulfasalazine a long time ago. Just trying to navigate Part D. It's an adventure!! I will definitely look at the options you provided. Thanks again.
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