Apriso change

My doctor is not responding to my request to change my Apriso prescription to a generic. I can no longer afford the Apriso as it is no longer covered under my insurance ($400+). I have not taken my Apriso now for 11 days. I am having some discomfort but it is manageable. Has anyone stopped taking Apriso? How long before your Colitis symptoms resumed?

Apriso does not yet have a generic. Some insurers will cover if the patient's doctor makes a strong case for brandname (sometimes called a "prior-authorization" request). Otherwise, if your UC is left-sided or proctosigmoid, you could try to stay in remission with generic Colazal, called "balsalazide disodium". (The Mylan-made generic has gotten good reviews here in the past.) Definitely do not abandon Rx med due to insurance hassles-- because that can throw a UCer into a nasty flare! We have to fight for ourselves & get aggressive at times over access to necessary treatment. / Old Hat (39 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal) *** P.S. I'm allergic to Apriso, due to its inert ingredient(s)! So I have to fight with my insurer periodically to stay on Colazal. Basically, they don't understand the differences among 5-ASA meds; they want us all to take what's cheapest.

Btw I think there might be a generic now for Apriso. My drug formulary lists a mesalamine ER (or (DR) and the grams were the same as Apriso. I didn’t check into it because I’m no longer taking mesalamine. Seems the cost was still rather high tho but check your formulary.

Also — are you happy with your GI? They should respond/help when you need it.