[Mountaindewed]

My 2 month supply of Geodon is $123. with insurance. It works really well and doesn’t cause weight gain or other bad side effects. It just makes me a bit tired. But one time my insurance wanted me to try risperdal or seroquel instead and I told them no because of how bad the side effects are on both of them.

Also I’m paying $30 a month for Xanax XR.

So why are the best working, least side effects, meds more money then the ones that cause problems for a lot of people?

[*Beth*]

imo, all meds are grossly overpriced. That said, I haven't found that the best meds necessarily are the most expensive ones. In fact, some of the newer and most expensive medications are ones that have caused the worst side-effects for me (Seroquel, for example). Geodon didn't help me because it disrupted my sleep/wake cycle.

When I haven't had insurance that covered all or almost all of the med costs I've gone to the website of the manufacturer and applied for free medication. That always worked for me. It's a bit of a hassle, but once it's done you're good for a year.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

My 2 month supply of Geodon is $123. with insurance. It works really well and doesn’t cause weight gain or other bad side effects. It just makes me a bit tired. But one time my insurance wanted me to try risperdal or seroquel instead and I told them no because of how bad the side effects are on both of them.

Also I’m paying $30 a month for Xanax XR.

So why are the best working, least side effects, meds more money then the ones that cause problems for a lot of people?

It's been a while since I took ziprasidone, but are you taking the generic? I don't remember the generic being that costly with my insurance. It's possible that your insurance just doesn't cover certain medications as well as other insurances. If you are still taking name brand, I must ask why?

If for some reason you choose to take name brand Geodon, like many name brands there is a coupon that might work for you. See Savings Card | GEODON(R) (ziprasidone HCl). Generally these don't work with Medicare/Medicaid (or some other insurances), but you'd need to read the coupon terms & conditions. If you do have Medicare/Medicaid/certain other, then hopefully in the coming years the government will be able (willing) to negotiate the prices a little better with the pharmaceutical companies. Truly the only reason the prices are so high is because of the healthcare system in the United States. The American people have the power to demand lower prices. All that is needed is a better education campaign and people getting out and voting, reasonably.

As an aside, though Geodon was helpful for me in the past, it was never the best working antipsychotic, for me. Though it was weight neutral, which was nice, after about five years it started to give me the worst akathisia I ever experienced. This is not to discourage you, since you may not develop it. However, I'd take a little weight gain from Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) any day over that evil akathisia. The latter tortured me. I know others have worse side effects (weight gain) from Seroquel XR, but for me, it's the least of the evils.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

It's been a while since I took ziprasidone, but are you taking the generic? I don't remember the generic being that costly with my insurance. It's possible that your insurance just doesn't cover certain medications as well as other insurances. If you are still taking name brand, I must ask why?

If for some reason you choose to take name brand Geodon, like many name brands there is a coupon that might work for you. See Savings Card | GEODON(R) (ziprasidone HCl). Generally these don't work with Medicare/Medicaid (or some other insurances), but you'd need to read the coupon terms & conditions. If you do have Medicare/Medicaid/certain other, then hopefully in the coming years the government will be able (willing) to negotiate the prices a little better with the pharmaceutical companies. Truly the only reason the prices are so high is because of the healthcare system in the United States. The American people have the power to demand lower prices. All that is needed is a better education campaign and people getting out and voting, reasonably.

As an aside, though Geodon was helpful for me in the past, it was never the best working antipsychotic, for me. Though it was weight neutral, which was nice, after about five years it started to give me the worst akathisia I ever experienced. This is not to discourage you, since you may not develop it. However, I'd take a little weight gain from Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) any day over that evil akathisia. The latter tortured me. I know others have worse side effects (weight gain) from Seroquel XR, but for me, it's the least of the evils.

I've gained a ridiculous amount of weight while on Seroquel, but I have to agree with you. As bad as the weight gain is, akathesia and dystonia are even worse. Nightmarish sensations. I'm experiencing some of both with the perphenazine (Trilafon).

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I've gained a ridiculous amount of weight while on Seroquel, but I have to agree with you. As bad as the weight gain is, akathesia and dystonia are even worse. Nightmarish sensations. I'm experiencing some of both with the perphenazine (Trilafon).

Sorry you are having bad side effects with the Trilafon.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Sorry you are having bad side effects with the Trilafon.

Oh, thanks. Sometimes it feels like my entire life is nothing but side-effects

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Check out rxoutreach.org A 30 day supply of Geodon is $26 and a 90 day supply is $65. Xanax is $9 for up to 90 tablets and XL is $16 for 30 tablets and $35 for 90 tablets.