Deplin (folic acid)-why so expensive

Why on earth is deplin (which is a high dose of folic acid) so expensive!!! It's been giving me more energy, I see a difference but I have good perscription coverage and it's still $95/month. Please help! Why is this!!

because it is a new med and the pharmaceutical companies want to gouge on new meds

Seemingly med companies and insurance companies want to make the most amount of money from the consumer.

Which is sad, especially in this case - folic acid in your diet prevents certain disabilities, including my own. So all women of childbearing age should theoretically take it if they are trying to have children or at risk of an "oops".

They (med companies and insurance companies) tend to increase the costs for newer meds as they are still being "tested" on the market. Prices may go down later, but may not.

Perhaps finding a pharmacy with a lower cost for dispensing fee would be a good idea to knock off a few dollars?

And it is generally not covered by insurance because it is considered a nutritional supplement, not a med. I was only paying about $65 for it in Texas without insurance. Wherever you are, that seems pretty high.

I wonder if you could take a folic acid supplement in an amount equal to the deplin. Could discuss with pharmacist.

It works differently and more efficiently than regular folic acid. They aren't quite the same thing.

is there a costco nearby? or if there is a costco and a target closer target will pricematch. Costco has the lowest prices . It is worth your time to check em out. goodluck!

Have you checked the prices to order it from Canada?

thanks everyone for your reply. YOur right, it's new and a supplement so insurance companies want us to pay more. I will check out the buying it in canada idea but....it really helps. Anywone who has been on medication for bipolar or a mood disorder for a long time should ask your doctor about it. It does not take the place of the medication but helsp it work better. Thanks again everyone. Such a shame. p.s. i asked my dr...it is different from folic acid because it is a very very high dose of folic acid, you would have to swollow so many folic acid pills to equal the same.

Deplin is an extremely high concentration of Folic Acid.

Reason you need a prescription for Deplin.

Regular concentration of Folic Acid, ie. the type that comes w/ vitamins will not have same benefits.

Holmes

I'm in the same boat you're in with prescription strength Vitamin D. It's so expensive!

I hope you work out a way to find a less expensive way to get your Folic Acid.

My Pdoc wants me on Deplin too. It's $65. I can't afford it.

Wow these posts are so helpful! I went to fill this perscription today, a 30 day supply is about $80. Insurance companies won't cover it and I have great perscription coverage. It's a supplement for gods sake but perhaps it's aslo "new". I wouldnt' be surprised if they eventually pick up the cost. I am on lithobid/lithium, seroquel/seroquel XR, lamictal and now deplin and the deplin is more expensive than all the others put together. However, I did an experiment. I took it for many weeks on end (it takes weeks to maintain in your system). Felt my energy level sckyrocket, my meds work better, my mood better, my menstrul cycle less painful. Then I stopped taking it for several weeks. Felt a dip in my mood, energy leve, ect. It makes a HUGE difference at least for me. Just like all of you, I will keep paying the cost but it's a shame such a natural, healthy and needed supplement (especially for women) is not picked up by the insurance companies yet a controlled substance like LITHIUM is.

p.s. I guess you can take an entire bottle of folic acid and it's not the same.

Thanks again I learned so much from all of your posts!
~Lia

The company claims L-methylfolate (Deplin) is especially effective for depression, but cheap folic acid has as much evidence. There are no studies comparing Deplin with plain old folic acid. Don't allow yourself to get scammed! Also, your p-doc is just as likely to be scammed as you are.

Resurrecting this thread to ask about people's experience of folic acid for depression/bipolar. A friend recommended it to me because she has seen big difference in her mood and energy. I don't think Deplin is available in the UK.

I was already taking 200µg as part of a multivitamin so yesterday I began taking 2x400µg tablets. So 1000µg which is 1mg (I think?)

(I am on lamotrigine 100mg x 2, citalopram 20mg x 1, and atorvastatin 20mg x 1 plus a multivitamin with B12, B2, B6, Vit D, iodine and selenium as well as folic acid.)

My concerns are 1) drug interactions, 2) affect on mood - danger of elation? 3) side-effects.

My brain is struggling to understand all the information out there! This thread has helped but still want to know more!

When you create a drug, it costs a lot of money to generate the research and finance the drug, when you finance the drug, it can cost millions, when you do that, then it really dips into the people's pockets, it eventually over years' time goes down in price, but yes, do look for a lower selling price, I'd keep looking on the web

I think this thread is still relevant so I'll post. My doctor gave me a months supply of Deplin with samples to try. I did and I noticed a change within myself. 2013 and it's still not covered with insurance or at least mine (medicaid). She sent the supplier a prescription and I got their call two days ago. They wanted 148 dollars for 3 months. It's still high in price and I can't afford it... I'm on disability. This is insane...

I read that L methofoliate is naturally converted from folic acid which your brain then absorbs. Taking folic acid may not be converted by your body let alone absorbing it so taking it becomes essential.

Deplin is not folic acid. It is L-Methyl Folate, which is the active form of folic acid.The cost you've mentioned is too much. Are you taking the entire 7.5mg tablet everyday?