Cytoxan Pills--Brand v. Generic

[Bill G]

Hi
A new poster here. Just recently Dx MMN after 10 yrs
ALS. Did IVIG 8 yrs with no noticable benefits. Quit
2 yrs ago, again no change.
Just started Cytoxan pills ( 100mg for 180 lbs) last week...No IV or Plasma ex.
My questions: My co-pay at Walmart was $110 for Brand name Cytoxan, or $4 for Generic. Any idea why the
difference? Is Generic OK and available?
Has anyone done Oral only, and is this a low dosage?
Thanks Bill

[cheermom47]

Hi Bill,

and welcome! I cant answer your question, I had IV cytoxan for 6 months in 2006-2007, but did not get any noticeable results with it.
I do take generic pills if they are available because they less expensive - even with a copay.
check the website for the fda:

http://www.fda.gov/default.htm

my guess is if they approved it and they did (cyclophosphamide) then its probably fine to use instead of name brand.

Good luck to you!
CM

[can]

Hi Bill, welcome to the site. I know nothing about cytoxan, but my personal understanding about prescription drugs is as follows; generic has the same active ingredients as the brand name and the cost is mostly 40 to 60% less than the brand name. I do not understand why the generic would only cost $4. The best thing would be to ask the pharmacist. Good luck with it.

[Bill G]

CM & CAN
Thanks for responding...
I know the basic ingredients are the same and the FDA
checks and aproves them, and I know the difference shouldn't
be $4 v. $110/ mo. The pharmacist doesn't know, nor whether
she can get Generic, nor why not...That's my question??
BTW CM...I've had NO pain ( Thank God ) in 10 yrs.....
Lot's of atrophy, fatigue, weakness...No pain.
Blessings
Bill

[can]

Hi Bill, maybe the generic has just got on the market, or maybe there is not much incentive to manufacture it. Maybe there is not much demand for cytoxin pills and the generic, hence not much information to draw on.