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Alternatives to Delzicol?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/27/2015 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'll try to make this as short as possible. I was on Asacol until it was discontinued last year. Switched to Asacol HD until my BCBS plan would no longer cover it. Switched to Delzicol last November. Now I'm refilling for the 1st time in 2015 and I find out that BCBS no longer covers Delzicol. Thanks for the heads up BCBS. Here is a list of the drugs that BCBS will cover: Pentasa, Uceris, Lialda, and Apriso. Of these I noticed Uceris is budesonide so I'm thinking it would be best not to pick that one. Anyone else been in the same predicament and had to choose an alternative?
Posted 2/27/2015 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Lots of us have been there, done that. I went from Asacol to Lialda to Pentasa and did better each time. I'm not a believer in Apriso. Uceris is a steroid and usually is only prescribed for two months so it is a completely different medicine.
Posted 2/28/2015 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Lialda and apriso are both once a day medications. Pentsa in multiple times a day. Make sure to check out patient assistance programs in the resources section of this forum. All of the medications are brand name and the copays can be $50 to $100 or more. The assistance card drop the copay considerably.
Posted 2/28/2015 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Won't they cover Colazal?

I switched to Apriso a little more than a year ago and it has been pretty good for me. Not as good as Asacol HD, but I'm Blue Cross too and as you said they no longer cover it. Apriso also has a saving card which has made a big difference for me /www.aprisorx.com/apriso/savings-card/

I am currently flaring but it did not coincide with my switch to Apriso. I was having minor flares on Asacol as well

Now, if I just could find some cheap Rowasa, I'd be a happy woman!
Posted 2/28/2015 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
There is some variation form BC/BS plan to plan. I have to pay 35% copay on Brand, so my Lialda copay is over $150. But, the discount card knocks that down by $120, so I only pay about $38.

I will have a new job and new plan by summer, but it looks like the copay will be a flat $30.
Posted 2/28/2015 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
All the above mentioned drugs (Pentasa, Lialda, Apriso) have a $45 co-pay under my plan so its really just a matter of deciding which one is likely to continue my remission that was originally brought about through large doses of Asacol several years ago. BTW, the Asacol and Asacol HD were considered top tier under my plan and had a $65 co-pay. Delzicol was considered middle tier and now its no longer covered, go figure. I had some upper GI symptoms (bloating, stomach pains) since switching to the Delzicol and those symptoms seem to be better since I started ditching the outer capsule. I'm ready to quit playing these games with meds.
Posted 2/28/2015 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
I'd give Colazal a shot (or its generic). Pretty cheap, and it works better for me than some of the other 5ASA's (though I've never tried Apriso). I too had problems with Delzicol and Lialda.
Posted 2/28/2015 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have BCBS and take Lialda. Strangely, my plan covers asacol as well. My copay is $40 but with the lialda script assistance I pay $10.
Posted 3/1/2015 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
I was switched from Asacol, to Delzicol and now Apriso. Been on the Apriso tablets (4 each morning) for about a year and fingers crossed,no flares.


60yoa, female, 5 years ago diagnosed
Take tablespoon quality yogurt a day and any other probiotics I can .
Also, doing Atkins since January,2015

Post Edited (runleeny) : 2/28/2015 9:56:50 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/1/2015 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
"I'm not a believer in Apriso. "

you mean like the tooth fairy, in that it's not real ?

or that it didn't work for you ?
Posted 3/1/2015 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
The tooth fairy isn't real?
Posted 3/2/2015 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Gary
considering I am on Apriso, I too am curious why you dont believe in it.
Posted 3/2/2015 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
How is the Apriso working for you? That's all that really matters. It obviously works on some, that's why they use it. It just wouldn't be my first choice for myself.
Posted 3/2/2015 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
i really liked asacol best, but apriso is working, so i cant complain.
Posted 2/2/2016 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
One year later I am in the same predicament with my insurance company. Are Apriso and Pentasa still working for you? I have been taking asacol/delzacol since 1992 (9/day) and am very apprehensive about the impending switch. Did you switch gradually somehow or just switched one day?
Posted 2/2/2016 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think Apriso is working now, or maybe keeping me on the edge of a flare.....just started Fodmap diet last month and that definitely is helping. Once I determine my triggers, it's goodbye Apriso.
Posted 2/2/2016 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I was on asacol for years, and then was switched to delzicol, which did not work for me. I then switched to Lialda (2 1/2 years ago, I think?) Initially I was really impressed, but I have been having some minor flaring these past months.
I take Lialda twice a day.
Posted 2/2/2016 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Mouse and run...are either of you on rectal meds?
q
Posted 2/2/2016 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy
Only when I am flaring, otherwise do not need them
Posted 2/3/2016 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
@songlady - interesting that asacol worked but Delzicol didnot. I was under the impression that they were the same except Delzicol just covers the (asacol) tablet in a gel cap. Were you on the same dosage? Because I've switched from a group to an individual health ins plan this group of RXs (asacol AsacolHD & Delzicol) is excluded. I rely on gastro samples & Canadian pharmacies. (My retirement income paying for my meds - gotta love the American healthcare system).
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