Entocort Price Increase

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iceburg
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Post by iceburg »

I work in a pharmacy(in Florida), and a couple of the pharmacists are Indian, they said part of the problem with this country is all the lawsuits. In India, if you take a prescription, the risk of consumption is yours. You weigh the risk of whether to take the drug or not, nobody forces you so therefore no lawsuits. And if I am not mistaken the budesomide (entocort) they sell is actually from Sun pharmaceuticals and we do sell many of the Sun products daily, so it seems definitely a good source.
Drug reps etc definitely don't want you taking the other stuff as yes it messes with their profits but they will tell you may not be getting what you think, blah blah blah. I guess some of the companies do offer higher income limits (up to 80,000)on assistance, always look up prescription assistance, in general and for the drug, or manufacturer, never hurts to apply the worst they can say is no.
I recently received a coupon for entocort, had been paying 298 with insurance, I paid 30 for my last script. this program is good for patients with ins only thru prometheus labs for question regarding rules and benefits call 1 877-423-5227, the card I received is good for up to three months.

Not sure if this will be helpful, just putting it all out there. I havent been on in a while as we have been soo very busy, with kids on summer break and trying to work. My Dr changed my scripts, has me taking entocort 6mg, every other day and welchol, every other day. Major change is gas!!ugh. he is doing more bloodwork and wants an enteroscopic exam to take biopsies. I have felt much better removing wheat products. But seem to have increasing issues with my teeth all of a sudden. I am totally understanding why they call it "practicing" medicine, and it sucks to be the guinea pig, but if it gives me more time and energy to be around, I will take it,

Havent had a chance to read up on to many post, do hope and pray everyone is doing well, and hope t catch up more soon!

Carol
If you want to change the world, you must start at home.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Carol,

I don't recall where Entocort is currently made, but the Budez CR that we are referring to, (generic budesonide), is manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., and their world headquarters are located in Mumbai India. You sell a lot of their products, because they are the world leader in the manufacture of generic pharmaceuticals.

http://www.sunpharma.com/

I view Prometheus Laboratories as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Back when AstraZeneca still retained all rights to Entocort EC, they always had a program to help patients who could not afford their drugs. As soon as Prometheus Labs bought the exclusive rights to distribute Entocort, they refused to offer any type of help for patients in hardship situations. Now that the patent on Entocort has expired, (it expired on May 15, 2011), and they have some competition, they suddenly come up with a help program. They weren't concerned about helping patients as long as they had a monopoly on the product. Better late than never, I suppose, but their current prices can only be described as "criminal", IMO, so it's high time that they offered some kind of help for patients.

Cholestyramine, (Questran, etc.), is known to cause tooth enamel loss, with long-term use, but I don't know about Welchol, (colesevelam). Of course, since it's also a bile acid sequestrant, it may have the same problem. I doubt that it would cause problems that quickly, but it may make teeth more sensitive, so that it brought an existing problem to the forefront - namely, the fact that years of untreated gluten-sensitivity slowly destroys the enamel on teeth, so that eventually, they become extremely vulnerable to decay, splitting, breaking, etc. (I'm speaking from experience here, and not just my own).

At any rate, people with long-term exposure to untreated gluten-sensitivity, may need to be extra cautious about using bile acid sequestrants. (Please don't expect your doctors to be aware of that, though).

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
iceburg
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Tex

Post by iceburg »

Yes, Glad you could enlighten me with more info, criminal for sure, especially for those who can barely function without it, I guess before now all people could do was suffer, and pray. Healthcare in the US is in many forms a cosmetic industry, I know there are people trying to fix that but unfortunately too many that only care about the "all mighty dollar". Much as they have run off farmers with regulations and such so they could mass produce, clone, and add preservatives to boost profits, all at the cost of a healthier union.
For a time I had no insurance at all, and severely limited in the care I received
I know I have been sick for years and yes, I believe my teeth and other problems were caused by living with this condition for so long, my body wasn't absorbing anything and leaving me malnourished, and dehydrated. Its bittersweet to find out now when I have had so many test and no answers. Reading through the research it seems there were many studies being done at the time, but they just didn't do the right ones on me and now I have a whole host of other problems due to the prolonged exposure. Some of the damage, its permanent, and my teeth snapping off is scary, the dentist couldnt believe, they are not rotted, they are very brittle. I can deal with the teeth, I have too. I pray I am around for my children, and very much want to be full of energy and able to enjoy raising them.
I just started welchol and I get light headed and feel like I am going to pass out, I dont think I am going to be able to take it, the dr was trying to see if alternating them with entocort for a month that I might be able to stop the entocort, as the last attempt failed miserably.
I am seriously having a hard time working and juggling all my responsibilities, its scary. I am working on the diet and my doctor does seem to be listening, unfortunately I have just started all over and have to meet the deductibles again, the last year has been brutal due to medical costs for the children and myself, sadly I feel I need a second job to compensate.
All I can do is count my blessings and keep charging forward, and I know that I havent had a day that I havent made it thru yet, I know some are worse off and I know I pray for everyone. I know we have to make the most of every day, its just really hard when you feel soo awful. I will keep looking for the opportunities and not the obstacles.
Carol
If you want to change the world, you must start at home.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Carol,

I hear you - I had to downsize my business after I got sick, and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with me. :roll:

That light headedness is not a good sign. If you have tachycardia, (rapid heartbeat), along with the light headedness, please stop taking the drug immediately, because those could be signs of an anaphylactic reaction.

Tex

P. S. Regarding the teeth - try to avoid biting down on anything hard, such as bones, hard candy, etc.
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
iceburg
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Tex, thanks

Post by iceburg »

Thank you mucho, for your kindness and all. My blood pressure actually dropped 101/51. Normally about 120/65 0r so, I felt kinda like when I have low blood sugar, like a blackout coming on, so I ate and it helped but Not a whole lot I was not feeling well for a couple hours. So I will chat with the dr or the nurse. I know I am sensitive to most medications, and wasnt quite sure why he gave me that, As far as I know my cholesterol levels are good. I know most meds have more than one use so I tried.

Anyhow, have a good day, I have to get to work. Missed yesterday and the managers are calling. I feel queasy going into this, but we do what we must!
If you want to change the world, you must start at home.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Of course, dehydration can cause reduced blood pressure, also, but when BP drops after taking a med, I'm sure you're aware that can be a sign of shock, so that raises a red flag. It's easy to become dehydrated with this disease, so please be sure that you're drinking enough fluids to prevent darker yellow-colored urine.

You're most welcome, and I hope that your day goes as smoothly as possible.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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