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Advice needed please: Is US Lialda the same as CD Mexavant ?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/20/2017 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
In the USA my prescription for Lialda is costing me $921 a month. That is a mortgage payment ! If I could get my doctor to write the prescription to a Canadian pharmacy, Mezavant would only cost me $254 a month. That's a savings of $656. Insanity.

My doctor isn't on board with writing my script for Mezavant because he's wary of the effectiveness of this drug vs. the effectiveness of Lialda. Lialda has put me in complete remission. I have mild UC - proctitis. I would love some feedback on Mezavant - pro or con so I can decide what my next step is. I KNOW it isn't staying on Lialda because I can't afford it anymore. Thank you for your input ! Be well
Posted 1/20/2017 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Lialda and Mezavant are both made by Shire pharmaceuticals. I'd say they're pretty much the same, just a different name for different countries. Just ask for a paper prescription (not addressed to any particular pharmacy) from your doctor and you can fax email it yourself to a Canadian pharmacy. There's a number of threads posted over the years on the best, legit places to order from. Use this forum's search.

You can get a generic equivalent within the USA its called "Mesalamine DR". Made by a company in NJ. I got a bottle a few weeks back as the generic copay of $10 was way cheaper than my $200 copay for lialda was. Even with lialda's copay assistance card, I still paid $80 a month to fill it. If your insurance has a deductible that you must meet before they pay anything for your meds then unfortunately Mesalamine DR isn't very much cheaper in it's list price than lialda's is.
Posted 1/20/2017 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I balked at the price of Lialda too, and am on Balsalazide instead. It is another 5-ASA and only costs me about $125/month.
Posted 1/20/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you ipoop. I am on the high deductible plan and Mesalamine DR isn't even a covered drug under my plan. My Dr. is worried about where the Mezavant is manufactured: "in a back office shack in India". That's why he thinks that it is inferior. I have no clue on that ?

tiredofallthispoop, Balsalazide IS a covered drug under my plan. I just priced it....$53 a month!! Since I started on Lialda in January 2015 I have not had a flare. Never needed steroids or canasa since. No side effects whatsoever. Are you having any weird side effects? Queasy ? Loss of hair ? Is it helping ? Thanks
Posted 1/20/2017 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I understand Mesalamine DR is not option for you but since you mentioned about Mezavant made in India.I thought to let you know that Mesalamine DR is from Zydus company from India. And I believe it is made in India. I don't thing they have manufacturing in US. But it is huge, reputable company. You can search online.

Not sure about Mezavant though. Hope you find some affordable alternative.
Posted 1/20/2017 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
The doc points to legitimate concerns about overseas generic drugs, but those may not apply to Mezavant, which is overseas name brand.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/sp-sar100308.php said...
Shire has licensed from Giuliani SpA the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize LIALDA in the US, Canada, Pacific Rim, and Europe (excluding Italy). LIALDA is known as MEZAVANT XL™ in the UK and Ireland, and MEZAVANT® elsewhere outside of the US. Giuliani SpA retains the development and commercialization rights in Italy. Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA, Milan, developed the MMX technology.

It is possible the pharmacy would fill a Lialda prescription with Mezavant since they are exchangable names internationally.

A prescription for Mesavant would make things easier. But the prescription must not be marked to allow generic substitution, or the pharmacy might replace with a generic mesalamine that had uncertain manufacture, and might not even be the once a day MMX technology in Lialda.

good luck
Posted 1/20/2017 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Love your butt! - I don't think I am having any symptoms directly related to Balsalazide. I do feel nauseous sometimes but I think its because I still haven't managed to achieve a remission. I get really fatigued as well, but when on Prednisone I feel pretty good. I do think the Balsalazide helps to reduce bleeding. fwiw, my husband was diagnosed with Crohn's over 10 years ago and has been on Balsalazide that long. He achieved remission and has never had any further symptoms.
Posted 1/23/2017 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you PamSmith, DBwithUC & tiredofallthispoop. Your replies have all been very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to come to my aid. Wishing you all good health and happiness.
Posted 9/26/2017 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Love your butt - I’m curious to know how this turned out for you. Did you get the Mezavant? I am going through the exact same scenario right now and have a possibility of getting Mezavant from canadadrugs.com. The price for Lialda is insane! I’m new to this forum so I hope this note gets to you. Thank you in advance for filling me in on how it worked out for you. I hope today was a good day for you!
Posted 9/26/2017 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
I have been using Mezavant from Canada now for several months and it is working same as Lialda. I take 4 per day for my UC.
I also use 1 per day of Mesacol from India made by Sun Pharmaceuticals.
So I take 3 Mezavant with 1 Mesacol per day to help with cost.
I am on Medicare and not eligible for cost assistance from Shire.
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