[chronicallyconfused]

So I went to refill my Abilify and since I have new insurance and have not met the deductible and there is no generic I would have to pay almost seven hundred dollars for a month. NO WAY. Can't afford. What are the alternatives? I'm TERRIFIED of anything that causes weight gain as I'm a recovered anorexic. I'm currently on zoloft, abilify (though not anymore!) lamictal and trazodone. I don't qualify for a lamictal offer because it is not a new rx. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

[Clinte89]

There are alot of alternative nothing seems to be as symptom free though. Risperdal geodon halidol Thorazine stelazine seroquel. I take stelazine instead of abilify

[~Christina]

Talk to your Pdoc , There are many other options you can try. I take Haldol as needed, I do take Inderal with it, but they are both 4 bucks at walmart, Oh yeah and its weight neutral

[thickntired]

FYI - Abilify's patent runs out in 2015 and there will be a generic avaliable.
I'm sorry to say nothing else worked for me as well as Abilify. They do have patient assistance plans and I get samples off and on from my shrink. But I have no insurance and a refill of Abilify cost me $960.00, so I feel your pain.

Good Luck,

TnT

[chronicallyconfused]

I had left a message with my psych regarding the cost and when I spoke to the receptionist about her calling in an alternative she said I have to see her first to discuss side effects BUT she was leaving tonight for a family emergency and has no more appointments today. So I kindly asked her to then ask the dr what I can expect as withdrawal symptoms since I only have two pills left. I'm pissed, I did not wait until the last minute to refill my meds and now I can't get an appointment and by the time I do I will have run out. And school starts back up again today. Super.

[Bipolar mom]

I had to stop abilify with out weening because I had sever side effects (stiff muscles, jerking movements I couldn't control, restlessness, etc.). I only had withdrawal symptoms for a day or two. Mostly just felt foggy and nassous. Took lexapro after that and gained 20 lbs, but after lexapro I did Gideon, and dropped all that weight and had no more weight gain. I had side effects with giadon but nothing close to as bad as abilify.

[bluemountains]

My son's pdoc gave us information that allowed us to apply for a year's cost of $25.00 a month. It is a program through the maker, Bristol-Myer. Do a google check about this program. I am sure there is some information about it somewhere.
The program is not based on income, it's just a discount they allow.
Good luck!
Bluemountains

[Odee]

How long have you been on Lamictal? If you're still tapering up perhaps there is hope that it will be effective enough to cover the absence of Abilify.

There's hope.

That's an outrageous price to pay. The maximum here was $400. and it wasn't as effective for me as Lamictal. Frankly, I think it's an overrated drug. I couldn't take it--tried it 2 days and said "forget that".

Check out some other pharmacies where you might get a different quotation, even if you have to go out of state to fill your prescription. I feel sure pharmacies exist that will be reasonable in helping you get it at a price that isn't exhorbitant. Something really must be done about these companies who are making billions on the sale of pharmaceuticals that are not working for all people. Report that price to the U.S. Trade
Commission.

Your psychiatrist will have other alternatives that can be just as effective and more beneficial since they won't be causing enormous stress for you to try to meet the demands of the drug companies.

I'm very sympathetic with your plight, and if your doctor isn't willing to co-opeerate, get another psychiatrist, please.

[Raindropvampire]

Look online. There is a card from the maker of Abilify that is good for one free fill and then with my insurance refills only cost me $25. My shrink gave me the card but you can find it online if your Pdoc doesn't have any. It has been a life saver for me I hope it works as well for you.

https://www.abilify.com/depression/t...uFLIBZEZ1Vi1hA

Link to how to get the card

[hamster-bamster]

I wish it were not a federal crime or I would have shipped you a bottle for starters...

[Eliza Jane]

Originally Posted by genetic

Check out some other pharmacies where you might get a different quotation, even if you have to go out of state to fill your prescription. I feel sure pharmacies exist that will be reasonable in helping you get it at a price that isn't exhorbitant. Something really must be done about these companies who are making billions on the sale of pharmaceuticals that are not working for all people. Report that price to the U.S. Trade
Commission.

I'm very sympathetic with your plight, and if your doctor isn't willing to co-opeerate, get another psychiatrist, please.

Costco tends to have good drug prices. And you dont have to be a member to use the pharmacy. I went there when I needed to buy Abilify without insurance. Also when my dog needed an expensive human med (my dog is obviously not on my health insurance!) However, I will say it still cost me a few hundred $ (a few years ago). I ended up paying it because it had worked so well for me and I knew I'd be back on insurance in a few months. However, if this is going to be more long term, a different choice might make more sense.

Best,
EJ

[chronicallyconfused]

Thank you for all your help! The dr finally gave in and called in Geodon, so I am to taper whatever abilify I have left while starting the Geodon. We will see how it goes! The Geodon was still $100 but that's better than $690!

[Odee]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I wish it were not a federal crime or I would have shipped you a bottle for starters...

For all the left over pills and pill bottles I have had from drugs that I have quit or failed (some of which I tried for awhile and my insurance filled them in sets of three), I feel so awful knowing that there is hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars worth of these things that I can't legally give away or give back.

Why would I flush a thousand dollars down the toilet like I'm told to?

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Odee

For all the left over pills and pill bottles I have had from drugs that I have quit or failed (some of which I tried for awhile and my insurance filled them in sets of three), I feel so awful knowing that there is hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars worth of these things that I can't legally give away or give back.

Why would I flush a thousand dollars down the toilet like I'm told to?

I was told not to flush but return to the pharmacy that would dispose of the pills properly. But I have not done it. I actually gave some to my p-doc friend who works in government mental health in Moscow, where there are no stringent federal rules, so he could give to patients who are struggling to afford drugs. He took everything I had at that time except for Benzos, which he does not like in general. Took all my left-over Trazodone, and something else. So when he visits in the fall, I will give him Abilify and Geodon and Topamax, all combined costing way over a thousand of dollars! At least someone will benefit from them because I, like you, just feel bad wasting expensive things.

[spoiltmom]

I last filled Abilify last April. At that time you could go to their website and a get a card where your copay was only $15 or $20 rather you had insurance or not. You may check that out.

[Odee]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I was told not to flush but return to the pharmacy that would dispose of the pills properly. But I have not done it. I actually gave some to my p-doc friend who works in government mental health in Moscow, where there are no stringent federal rules, so he could give to patients who are struggling to afford drugs. He took everything I had at that time except for Benzos, which he does not like in general. Took all my left-over Trazodone, and something else. So when he visits in the fall, I will give him Abilify and Geodon and Topamax, all combined costing way over a thousand of dollars! At least someone will benefit from them because I, like you, just feel bad wasting expensive things.

I have been told to flush them, however, I have recently been seeing signs posted in my pharmacy offering pill disposal services.

[~Christina]

Flushed medications can taint water supplies.

[lmb366]

was in the same boat, no more insurance and my pdoc put me on depakote....not sure how i feel about it though. i may look into the program. such good info here.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Flushed medications can taint water supplies.

I have heard the same thing about using cat litter that is labeled flushable. Apparently it harms otters in Monterey Bay. So I use regular scoopable litter.

[bluemountains]

I keep all of our extra meds. It has worked out that my son has been able to take advantage of my extra abilify, one that didin't work for me. Also, occasionally I will forget to call the pharmacy and between the two of us I occasionally find some extras to hold me over.
Bluemountains

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by Bipolar mom

I had to stop abilify with out weening because I had sever side effects (stiff muscles, jerking movements I couldn't control, restlessness, etc.). I only had withdrawal symptoms for a day or two. Mostly just felt foggy and nassous. Took lexapro after that and gained 20 lbs, but after lexapro I did Gideon, and dropped all that weight and had no more weight gain. I had side effects with giadon but nothing close to as bad as abilify.

Do you mean Geodon?

[chronicallyconfused]

I always keep my extras, You never know when you are going to need them! Only problem now is that most of my extras are SSRIs, which we are finding is not what I need!

Chronically, how are things going on Geodon for you?

*Edit to add*: I also suffered from anorexia and thankfully Geodon was not a weight-gainer for me. I hope it is working out for you. I believe it is weight-neutral for many people. Take care.