question about oxycontin

[krashleen]

I am on oxycontin, 20mg 3x day. I have tried the generic of Dava(sp?)and it just doesn't knock down my pain very well.
Do you think my PM doc will prescribe -4- of the generic instead of the brand -3- a day? Due to cost, the generic costs 10.00 vs brand(which works best)153.00.

I know they were willing to complete paperwork for me to get free/reduced pricing on the oxycontin, but I don't even know if there is a program any longer for this.

[Pharmacist.steve]

Each doctor is different... it would seem that you just need to have a frank conversation with yours.. about your pain management and your financial situation in being able to afford your meds
Pharmacist steve
www.chronicpainresourcecenter.com

[BrokenBladder]

Krashleen my rheumy told me last month that OxyContin will no long be sold in the generic form as of Janurary 1st. Hopefully someone else will come along and confirm this.

[razzle51]

I heard that too Kathy about no longer be sold in the generic form.I will see if I can find the article. Did you say you couldnt take Kaidan , the one PLM takes?

AND HAVE YOU HEARD OF OPANA A NEW DRUG FOR PAIN
http://www.drugs.com/opana.html

[Pharmacist.steve]

There was a lawsuit/settlement over the generic company jumping the patent expiration.. I am not sure if the generic can't be sold after Jan 1 or the generic company can't produce it after Jan 1. But the availability of the generic is coming to a end.. until the patent expires

Pharmacist Steve
www.chronicpainresourcecenter.com

[Harryinny]

I dont know about the generic, But i was just put on the Oxycodone HCL CR 20mg and the store charged the Ins company $160!!! And this is the Generic. Im sorry but Eckerd's wont be seeing my scripts anymore. Talk about price gougeing. No wonder people cant get meds sometimes. Ins companies dont want to pay different prices from different stores like this. I called Another store to compare after the fact, and the other stores price to the Ins company would have been $70! Same supplier.

Unreal.

Harry

[Pharmacist.steve]

That sounds strange... insurance companies (drug cards) dictate what they will pay the pharmacy for a given drug. Likewise, a pharmacy could not determine what a insurance company would pay unless they had all the info off of your drug card and submitted a claim to your insurance company.

Pharmacist Steve
www.chronicpainresourcecenter.com

[Cry Tears]

Harry....go back to Ekards, tell them the price differences and that you are due a refund! They may give you one.
Anytime you deal with a major chain type drug store they will often meet the discount pricing of other stores.
This has been my experience.
Also....those large discount warehouse stores such as Costco will allow a non member to have their scripts filled at their store.
You will find the best prices there.
When you go to the entrance, just tell them you are going to the pharmacy. They will NOT ask you for a membership card because its not required.
By law they must offer services to anyone! Same with Kaiser Permanante pharmacys.
On the Oxcyontin.....some people have noticed a difference between the generic and the "real" Oxcycontin.
Hope this helps, Cheryl

[uvamomb]

In some cities, Walmart is charging $4.00 for all generic drugs. I am going to change to them - this will save me a GREAT deal of money - even with insurance - every month.
Maybe you are not on enough oxycontin to cover your pain and maybe that should be the conversation you have with your doctor. I'm on 80 mgs. twice daily, and I still have breakthrough pain daily. I take percocet for that - used to take dilaudid, but think I became immune to it. I would have a frank conversation with my doc. Also, methadone is a very good drug and is very inexpensive. It helped me for many, many months.
Take care of yourself, and I hope you get your pain better under control really, really soon.
Hugs,
Kathy

[Pharmacist.steve]

I think that you need to read their website http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy ... they are charging $4.00 for a month supply of about 150 different generic drugs... These drugs are typically less than 1% of a pharmacy's business.. It is NOT ALL GENERICS!!!

Pharmacist Steve
www.chronicpainresourcecenter.com

[krashleen]

I am concerned that my PM doc will think that I am "cured" although my surgery was a treatment and not a cure, and so few NSG's and even less MD's know about this ailment, that I think I have legitimate concerns about this.

I am provided breakthrough meds, but I think I need to up those as well. I hate admitting defeat, as if I could control this. I am not a malingerer.

[AngylHeart]

Last month my doc told me that the generic Oxy was going to be pulled from the market. He said he believed that his info was accurate as he was informed by his drug rep. He said the reason was due to the lack of effectiveness of the generic compared to the brand name.

Either way, it looks that they will definately be pulling the generic from the market.