Cost of Pain Meds?

[A Chronic Painer]

Howdy, good to be back!!

Could someone point me in the direction of the retail cost of pain meds, specificly MS Contin, and MSIR. I'm looking for legitimate US sources, for someone who is loosing their insurance, and will have to make some changes.

Thanks in advance:

[sallyb]

Don't know those answers...but, might you qualify for Medicare because of your condition?

[suede]

Hi, I got this prescription card fro a couple of my adult children and it saved them quite a bit of money.
http://www.rxcard.com/
Linda

[Lucy]

My prescription for MSContin 100mg x 270/month costs $914.58, and my MSIR 30mg x 480/month costs $110.89. It depends on the quantity and the generic manufacturer of the medications as well, so it is hard to tell exactly how much it would cost without knowing a quantity and a strength. I have a Medicare PPO/Drug plan, and I do not pay anything. That is because of low income.

Lucy

Howdy, good to be back!!

Could someone point me in the direction of the retail cost of pain meds, specificly MS Contin, and MSIR. I'm looking for legitimate US sources, for someone who is loosing their insurance, and will have to make some changes.

Thanks in advance:

[RustyD]

I am not sure of the financial situation but the pharmacutical companies themselves all have plans to supply meds free or for much much less to those that qualify. It takes a from filled out by you and your doctor usually to qualify.

Check out Partnership for Prescription (https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php) assistance. Someone earning less than 19k or a couple with less than 32k usually qualify.. ALSO STAY AWAY FROM THE SITES THAT want to charge you to help you..

In addition you can go to each site that manufactures a specif med and usually online they have the forms needed or info...

Good Luck.

[A Chronic Painer]

Thanks for all the replies, they all helped. Suede, I was able to find out what I needed at the web site you posted, www.rxcard.com. They have a link, which will shows you the cost of what you can buy pain meds for, from local stores, once you have their free card.

Out side of getting free meds (if possible) this is just what my friend was looking for. Just for example, I used MS Contin, 30mg, 100 tabs. Brand name cost $189. Generic cost $112, The biggest savings is from generic Morphine Sulfate, or MSIR, that one was only $28. A pretty good price if you can get by without the time release meds.
Thanks for all your help, I'll be passing it on.

[illusion129]

Chronic Painer,

I too take a Morphine based long-acting medication for my pain and I just wanted to let you know that there is a cheaper solution than MS Contin & it's generic partner.

Oramorph SR 100mg X 60 tabs retails (at my local Kroger) for right around $200. There is a generic form but since my local pharmacy only carries the actual "brand" of Oramorph SR then that is what I take; the pharmacies here don't really like ordering in medications that only one person uses (I live in a pretty small town and we've had a few pharmacy drug theft problems).

Kind of like how Synthroid's generic is Levoxyl and then Levoxyl's "generic" partner is Levothyroxine (thyroid pills). There are 3 drugs in that group which come down in cost significantly each step down you take, obviously starting at Synthroid (most expensive) and ending with Levothyroxine (cheapest).

The exact same can be said about the Morphines; MS Contin (most expensive) OR generic Morphine Sulfate ER; to Oramorph SR OR generic Morphine Sulfate SR (the cheapest). Really they are considered 4 different Morphines, while true, they are all time-release morphine but with a lower cost each step down you go. :)

I did have a chart that explained EVERY prescription narcotic and a cost comparison of it but I cannot find it saved on my computer nor on the internet at the moment.

So, in case you're on a tight budget you may ask your doctor to switch your original prescription to Oramorph SR (the actual brand of this is supposed to be cheaper than generic MS Contin) and then whether or not your pharmacy will order the generic form of the Oramorph is up to them, but it could save you a lot more money (:D) over getting even the generic MS Contin.

Hope this information helps you out! Take care.

[Lucy]

Russell,

According to the information I just looked up on the cost of Oramorph from my insurance company, 60 of the 100mg Oramorph tabs cost $214.76, and 60 of the Morphine Sulfate SA 100 mg cost $229.62. There is not much of a cost difference. This calculation goes by the nationwide average.

Lucy

Chronic Painer,

I too take a Morphine based long-acting medication for my pain and I just wanted to let you know that there is a cheaper solution than MS Contin & it's generic partner.

Oramorph SR 100mg X 60 tabs retails (at my local Kroger) for right around $200. There is a generic form but since my local pharmacy only carries the actual "brand" of Oramorph SR then that is what I take; the pharmacies here don't really like ordering in medications that only one person uses (I live in a pretty small town and we've had a few pharmacy drug theft problems).

Kind of like how Synthroid's generic is Levoxyl and then Levoxyl's "generic" partner is Levothyroxine (thyroid pills). There are 3 drugs in that group which come down in cost significantly each step down you take, obviously starting at Synthroid (most expensive) and ending with Levothyroxine (cheapest).

The exact same can be said about the Morphines; MS Contin (most expensive) OR generic Morphine Sulfate ER; to Oramorph SR OR generic Morphine Sulfate SR (the cheapest). Really they are considered 4 different Morphines, while true, they are all time-release morphine but with a lower cost each step down you go. :)

I did have a chart that explained EVERY prescription narcotic and a cost comparison of it but I cannot find it saved on my computer nor on the internet at the moment.

So, in case you're on a tight budget you may ask your doctor to switch your original prescription to Oramorph SR (the actual brand of this is supposed to be cheaper than generic MS Contin) and then whether or not your pharmacy will order the generic form of the Oramorph is up to them, but it could save you a lot more money (:D) over getting even the generic MS Contin.

Hope this information helps you out! Take care.

[A Chronic Painer]

I'm glad to hear that Oramorph is back on the market. I was taking it over 5 years ago, but the company was sold, and the product was taken out of production. It was a shame, as it always had the best delivery system. I'm not sure how it's packaged now, but it was very advanced, considering it was one of the very first long acting pain meds.

If I remember correctly, the Oramorph capsule had tiny, microscopic holes in it, allowing very small amounts of morphine to leak out, providing a "REAL" continous release. The other meds, MS and OXY dump 1/2 of the contents in the first hour, then dump the 2nd half a few hours later. Not the best way for continous relief of pain. I hope that Oramorph has not been changed, anyone know for certain???

Hey Illusion129, I think that Kroger is pulling one over on you, just to make more money. With computer ordering, there is no reason they cannot bring your meds in once a month, just before you need them. Just tell them that you will be picking all your meds up from them, each month. I did the same with my local Wal-Mart, and it worked out just fine. Of course if your insurance is paying for brand name, then I'd probably keep my mouth shut, as I'm convnced they work better than generics. For pain meds anyways!!!

[illusion129]

Chronic Painer-

Yes, I was a bit skeptical to believe that my Kroger could not (or would not) order the "generic" Oramorph SR in for me. Their excuse was that they just did not stock that specific drug and that I'd have to take the brand. It's OK with me as my insurance does cover brand name Oramorph with a DAW of 2; I think that means the doctor labeled it for brand name only anyway.

I most usually always purchase the generic counterpart of a prescription drug unless of course it doesn't have a generic. I've always seemed to have the same luck with brand names versus generics so I'll just stick to them whenever applicable.

As far as the delivery of the Oramorph, it now comes in tablets to be taken every 8-12 hours. I really enjoy using a morphine as my long-acting narcotic but that was after trying out quite a number of other drugs. Many fast-acting, instant release drugs just don't do the trick of relieving my pain but Oramorph is GREAT.

I had tried Avinza and Kadian (both morphines); Avinza helped quite a bit and I felt uniform pain relief but due to swelling of my legs I had to quit taking it. The Kadian only helped with the biggest part of my pain for about the 6-8 hours after taking it; I discontinued use because of my share of the cost (over $100 even with insurance). On the other hand, once I started taking Oramorph (for cost reasons initially) I finally realized what I had been missing out on: being pain-free! I'm still not completely pain free and I don't ever expect to be but hey, Oramorph is definitely worth a shot to try and control pain issues that need 24 hour relief.

Anyway, just to let you know, Oramorph is back out on the market and the prescription tablets I receive are manufactured by Roxane Labs. I sure do hope that you'll be able to get back on Oramorph again since I know what you're talking about when you explain the relief of those nasty painful symptoms! Take care. -RH

[Megin1212]

Hello friends;

To add to the conversation about the cost of pain medication...Methadone or one of the generic forms of it. I'm certainly aware of the stigma surrounding it, particularly because it is also used to help others detox from heroin. This does not make it a bad drug. When used for pain relief it prescribed much differently than when used for detoxification. I myself was initially concerned when it was suggested and event now, after taking it for over 2 years I find I need to continually educate even my closest family members.

That said, one thing that I find comforting is the price. Even if my insurance should suddenly stop, I could afford to pay this out of my pocket.

The prescription is for 5mg tablets to be taken 3-4 times per day, so each month I am given 120 tablets. If I were to pay for this many tablets not using ANY insurance and receiving Methadone, the cost at my pharmacy is $8.46. If a generic, such as Methadose is used for the same amount and I pay from my pocket the cost is $1.84. My smallest co-pay on my insurance is $5.00. It just makes you think, doesn't it. Cost is never the only reason to take any medication! I receive very good pain control with this medication. Right now in my life I do pay very dearly for and receive both very good health insurance and prescription coverage.

As we were searching for the pain medications which would work for me, I was mindful that in the blink of an eye, every day, people suddenly find themselves to be without prescription coverage. This is one medication that many people, or a helpful relative, might be able to pick up the cost on, a month worth for out of their pocket when its prescribed for pain.
JMHO.
Respectfully,
Megin

[A Chronic Painer]

Hello friends;

To add to the conversation about the cost of pain medication...Methadone or one of the generic forms of it. I'm certainly aware of the stigma surrounding it, particularly because it is also used to help others detox from heroin. This does not make it a bad drug. When used for pain relief it prescribed much differently than when used for detoxification. I myself was initially concerned when it was suggested and event now, after taking it for over 2 years I find I need to continually educate even my closest family members.

That said, one thing that I find comforting is the price. Even if my insurance should suddenly stop, I could afford to pay this out of my pocket.

The prescription is for 5mg tablets to be taken 3-4 times per day, so each month I am given 120 tablets. If I were to pay for this many tablets not using ANY insurance and receiving Methadone, the cost at my pharmacy is $8.46. If a generic, such as Methadose is used for the same amount and I pay from my pocket the cost is $1.84. My smallest co-pay on my insurance is $5.00. It just makes you think, doesn't it. Cost is never the only reason to take any medication! I receive very good pain control with this medication. Right now in my life I do pay very dearly for and receive both very good health insurance and prescription coverage.

As we were searching for the pain medications which would work for me, I was mindful that in the blink of an eye, every day, people suddenly find themselves to be without prescription coverage. This is one medication that many people, or a helpful relative, might be able to pick up the cost on, a month worth for out of their pocket when its prescribed for pain.
JMHO.
Respectfully,
Megin


Hi Megin,

I agree with everything you've said. The one thing that I have heard about Methadone, it that is harder to titrate down from, when necessary. Do you have any thoughts about this, one way, or the other?

Also, I've heard that it can be more effective on nerve type pain, than muscular pain, but I'm no doc.............

[brians2000]

My legs have been swelling the past six months but the doctor doesnt know why thy hold water. The doc tried finding out the cause but he couldnt. Do you actually know if Avinza caused your problem because I have been on Avinza 90mg for the past three years. If anyone else knows if Avinza causes swelling please let me know. Brian

[GJZH]

Costco also sells drugs at a very low price and you do not need to be a member to purchase the drugs. You just tell them that you are going to the pharmacy and they allow you in the door for free....

[illusion129]

Brian,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you but this thread slipped to page 2 and I just now clicked over to see if there were any threads I'd missed reading.

To answer your question about the Avinza, yes, Avinza did make my lower legs and ankles swell the whole time I was on it. I only took it for about 2 weeks since it was causing such edema. I was even taking a Lasix 40mg tablet with it once daily and it still didn't help the swelling go down!

My doctor said that it was probably one of the "fillers" in the capsule and when I looked up the inactive ingredients there was a particular one that stuck out: sodium lauryl sulfate. Bingo! That's more than likely what's causing your problem.

I bet if you discontinue (I was switched to Kadian after Avinza) for a week or so the swelling will be gone! BTW, Kadian didn't work as well as the Avinza nor did it last a full 12 hours; I'd recommend asking for Oramorph SR if you're going to stay with a Morphine based drug as it seems to provide better pain relief and it's a hella lot cheaper! -RH