[loophole]

So I finally found another med that works besides lamictal... good stuff. Working very well for me personally.. been taking samples through my p doc in php.. he finally fills the script to my pharmacist (I know there is no generic. Figuring to pay around 80 bucks.. I have pretty good insurance. Go through drive through.. 220 dollars! You gotta be kidding me! Pharmacist said it's like 950 dollars without Co pay.. what a big pharma joke of a rip off.. I'm so ticked... through latuda website I can a 12 month coupon to take 70 dollars off so make 8th 150.00 .... still rediculous.. I'm feeling hopeless and aggrivated.. I make pretty good money but my word that's nearly 2k a year.... and the kicker. . If I was on government assistance I could get it for well under 100 dollars. So reward them and kick the hard working middle class American in the teeth... wtf...

Anyone know of anything I could possibly do at all?

[Velouria]

Oh, I feel your pain. I was paying 140/90 day supply for them . . . until my insurance company changed the tiering on Latuda and bumped it up to over 300 dollars/90 days! Eff them! This med works wonders for me, so I really don't want to change. When I told my doctor, we made another appt. and he threw 4 months of free samples at me lol. He said he would speak to his rep the next time he saw her.

You could ask your doctor to call your insurance and ask for a tiering exception, I think that's what it's called. It might be a process though.

The worst part is that Latuda has several years to go generic. I was looking up the patents and I think the next one runs out in '18.

[loophole]

Geemany freaking Xmas it gets worse... I read the patent was up in late 2015.. was thinking of sucking it up until then.. 90 days for 450.. what a joke... I'm not sure what I'm gonna do.. wife's saying to get it... I don't feel super comfortable with that though.. especially if the patten doesn't run out until freaking 2050... sort of pissed at my dr. Too.. why the hell prescribe me this if u know it's gonna break my legs to pay for it... he's a good dr but is he just throwing money at big pharma? I'm just not happy at all with this situation right now...

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by loophole

Geemany freaking Xmas it gets worse... I read the patent was up in late 2015.. was thinking of sucking it up until then.. 90 days for 450.. what a joke... I'm not sure what I'm gonna do.. wife's saying to get it... I don't feel super comfortable with that though.. especially if the patten doesn't run out until freaking 2050... sort of pissed at my dr. Too.. why the hell prescribe me this if u know it's gonna break my legs to pay for it... he's a good dr but is he just throwing money at big pharma? I'm just not happy at all with this situation right now...

It's really terrible. It works so well for me, it's such a shame. I don't know what I'm going to do either. Was thinking of asking about Geodon, but seeing some people's experiences with that . . . I just don't know.

[loophole]

Yah I really don't think there's anything out there right now that is quite like it... heard geoden . Respridol.. I called latuda company and insurance.. not much help.. like I said latuda company can knock of 70 for 12 months... maybe my insurance will pick up more and the cost will come down.. I doubt it.

[pawn78]

I am sticking with lamictal... the generic (lamotrigine) costs me $9/month. My doctor talks about possibly prescribing other stuff, but most of it is outrageous, and I have no insurance. Thankful that lamotrigine works and is cheap.

[GALAXYGAL]

Originally Posted by loophole

So I finally found another med that works besides lamictal... good stuff. Working very well for me personally.. been taking samples through my p doc in php.. he finally fills the script to my pharmacist (I know there is no generic. Figuring to pay around 80 bucks.. I have pretty good insurance. Go through drive through.. 220 dollars! You gotta be kidding me! Pharmacist said it's like 950 dollars without Co pay.. what a big pharma joke of a rip off.. I'm so ticked... through latuda website I can a 12 month coupon to take 70 dollars off so make 8th 150.00 .... still rediculous.. I'm feeling hopeless and aggrivated.. I make pretty good money but my word that's nearly 2k a year.... and the kicker. . If I was on government assistance I could get it for well under 100 dollars. So reward them and kick the hard working middle class American in the teeth... wtf...

Anyone know of anything I could possibly do at all?

The only thing I can suggest is to research the cost of optional drugs and discuss with your doctor if you can longer take Latuda. Or, find insurance on your own that has a good prescription plan so you can continue to take Latuda should you lose your job/insurance. I am looking at doing this myself. Otherwise, I agree the $70 coupon is not going to help. BTW I pay $150/90-day mail order otherwise it would be $600 30-day through local pharmacy. Good luck!

[loophole]

How do u pay 150 on 90 days? Not sure what you mean by checking other insurance.. I already pay a decent amount because I'm on a family plan (3 kids and wife) with my work and I don't see myself losing my job pretty much ever... I'm already taking lamictal... latuda has been the only other med to have significant improvement on my bp... damned this sucks. . 150 bucks for 90 day.... really curious what your insurance is? Through your employer?

[loophole]

Mail order? Is it actually latuda? Or the chemical name?

[gubernova]

My psychologist doesn't even bother if the drug is not generic. The prices are ridiculous. I pay 0 dollars for generics. There are so many drugs out there why bother with the new stuff; plus you can see the reported side effects on older drugs. The newest drugs are how the pharmaceutical companies make money, and they have to do it somehow.

[loophole]

Originally Posted by gubernova

My psychologist doesn't even bother if the drug is not generic. The prices are ridiculous. I pay 0 dollars for generics. There are so many drugs out there why bother with the new stuff; plus you can see the reported side effects on older drugs. The newest drugs are how the pharmaceutical companies make money, and they have to do it somehow.

I agree completely but my dr prescribed me latuda.. i didn't realize the cost would be so rediculous.(yes generic costs more but with my insurance the most expensive have been around 75 dollars). and I've already had the medicine in my system due to 3 weeks of taking it on samples he gave me.. it's unfortunate but the med has been a complete blessing.. other medicines have not came close for me PERSONALLY. Other atypical anti psychotic meds are made up completely different.. so I can't just go pick out another one.. it just plain sucks...

[GALAXYGAL]

Originally Posted by loophole

How do u pay 150 on 90 days? Not sure what you mean by checking other insurance.. I already pay a decent amount because I'm on a family plan (3 kids and wife) with my work and I don't see myself losing my job pretty much ever... I'm already taking lamictal... latuda has been the only other med to have significant improvement on my bp... damned this sucks. . 150 bucks for 90 day.... really curious what your insurance is? Through your employer?

Sorry this is a long reply: I have BCBS through my husband's employer. I pay $150 'co-pay' for a 90-day supply through mail order and then I get reimbursed the full amount. I also take Lamotrigine $45 co-pay for a 90-day supply and get reimbursed. I can't complain. In my situation, my husband is looking for another job, and I (we) need to be covered during that period when we are without insurance. We are looking into government insurance programs -- Texas has a pool of insurance companies that offer temporary private insurance and then there is Obamacare Yikes! Still researching my insurance options.

I have an eating disorder so I asked for Latuda. I had taken Seroquel and put on 20 lbs over 2 years, it really dumbed me down and I could not tolerate the higher doses to treat mania and psychosis. I have heard that other anti-psychotics have the same fog effect, so I don't want to stop taking Latuda it works great for me I have my life back. Don't know if it helps with mania but I have stable since taking it. It does bother me that I am taking a drug that hasn't been around all that long--guess I'll keep my eyes open for the lawsuit commercials. We are all guinea pigs. Hope I answered your questions.

Borderline/Bipolar I

[loophole]

Originally Posted by GALAXYGAL

Sorry this is a long reply: I have BCBS through my husband's employer. I pay $150 'co-pay' for a 90-day supply through mail order and then I get reimbursed the full amount. I also take Lamotrigine $45 co-pay for a 90-day supply and get reimbursed. I can't complain. In my situation, my husband is looking for another job, and I (we) need to be covered during that period when we are without insurance. We are looking into government insurance programs -- Texas has a pool of insurance companies that offer temporary private insurance and then there is Obamacare Yikes! Still researching my insurance options.

I have an eating disorder so I asked for Latuda. I had taken Seroquel and put on 20 lbs over 2 years, it really dumbed me down and I could not tolerate the higher doses to treat mania and psychosis. I have heard that other anti-psychotics have the same fog effect, so I don't want to stop taking Latuda it works great for me I have my life back. Don't know if it helps with mania but I have stable since taking it. It does bother me that I am taking a drug that hasn't been around all that long--guess I'll keep my eyes open for the lawsuit commercials. We are all guinea pigs. Hope I answered your questions.

Borderline/Bipolar I

Thank you. I agree on the lawsuit thing.. haha use some extra money.. I'm gonna see if my dr will give me another week of samples...and make my final decision plus see if there's any other options to save money wise. Appreciate the thought filled response
Thanks

[pawn78]

Well, if the drug is really that good for you, then it is worth the money. Before I got on Lamictal, I was spending around $200/month on cannabis on the black market, and it was worth it... i was happy, and it was well worth treating the horrible mixed state I was in.

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by pawn78

Well, if the drug is really that good for you, then it is worth the money. Before I got on Lamictal, I was spending around $200/month on cannabis on the black market, and it was worth it... i was happy, and it was well worth treating the horrible mixed state I was in.

Can't really disagree with you here. I used to spend at least 300/month on booze and weed and sometimes other drugs if they crossed my path.

[loophole]

Originally Posted by Velouria

Can't really disagree with you here. I used to spend at least 300/month on booze and weed and sometimes other drugs if they crossed my path.

Haha when you put it that way it really puts into perspective. . 6 years ago I used to blow 3 or 400 a month on Marijuana and alcahol.... it was worth it to me then.. my wife really wants me to stay on this med.. and she's not a big med person.. I'm just gonna see how long I can get samples though.. heh

[~Christina]

Yikes !

Sadly enough Pdocs often dont think of the reality and ability for us to be able to "afford" the medications..In past when I was taking a bunch of meds my Pdoc knew my financial situation at the time and kept me in samples for over 8 months... Maybe your Pdoc isnt aware of the financial strain and can had the drug rep leave more samples?

Have you looked into getting the med from Canada ? Im not sure if it would be cheaper or not, worth a look see.

Worse case and the med is making a huge difference would be suck it up and pay for it ... You can split the amount of pills you get at one time so you can pay half at the first 15 pills of the month and then 2 weeks later pay for the other 15 pills .. Just an option if you can't pull enough money to fill it once a month.

Yep Big Pharma doesn't make cures it makes customers

[loophole]

Thanks yah it sux.. yah I can afford it.. isn't a problem..I can take home about 2k in one week if I want too.. just the cost is ridiculous for a tiny little pill... plus I'm a tight wad in general and don't really spend money on myself... this is a pretty big chunk of change though for prescription meds... ah well probably should just quit throwing a pity party.

[~Christina]

Well I am glad your able to afford it even tho is just like a damn armed robbery each month.

[loophole]

Yah it is.. feel like I'm freaking being ripped off because i am.. ohwell

[loophole]

12:30 am and wide awake... normally asleep 2 hours ago.. gonna be a long night.. I live out of town about 25 minutes and figured I could make it one night. .. good times.. doubt I see much if any sleep tonight. . Got to be at the hospital at 830 tomorrow morning...

[loophole]

Talked to dr. He helped some.. gave me 30 day supply.. and told me I could possibly get a 90 day supply for probably 50 dollars off each month to save 150.. between that and the card that would save me roughly 360 dollars.. 100 dollars a month is a tiny bit more reasonable all though still rediculous but I will take what I can get.

[~Christina]

Great news ! Anything helps