"sugar free" actiq......................FENTORA

[paigiesmom]

Wow it has been a while since I have posted but it seems so slow around here. Has anyone heard when this will be available? Or has anyone tried this or knows anyone who has.

I use actiq and it works for me really well but its killing my teeth. I asked the pharmacist today at walgrees and she said she had not heard anything. Thought this would be the place to ask. Thanks a ton, Kristin

[AngylHeart]

Bad News:
I contacted Cephalon regarding the release date of the sugar-free Actiq. They have a recording that states that the release of the sugar-free version "has been delayed indefinately due to technical reasons". :-( I went back on Actiq in anticipation of the release of the sugar free version, which was scheduled to come out about now.

Good News (for those with co-pays):
The generic version of Actiq is now available. I haven't yet tried it, but my pharmacy has already received my order, which I will pick up some time next week.

I suppose patience is the key, but my teeth need a change NOW!

Take care,

AngylHeart

[Annie B.]

I've just had my first script of Fentora filled this week. It's been out for about 3 weeks now but the problem is that the insurance companies are slow to recognize it as a new med. I had to wait for about 2 weeks after having the script written for the insurance to process the medication as one that really existed. In the meanwhile, they suggested that I pay out of pocket and that I "may or may not be reimbursed." NOT!

The Fentora works well. I like the efficacy of the Actiq better, but that's my opinion only. Without sugar, the Fentora tastes just like baking soda--not bad, but not great either. You place it in between your gum and soft palate in the upper part of your mouth, where your molars are, and simply let it dissolve. I found that if I put it in the lower part of my mouth, it dissolved way too quickly and I didn't get the relief that I should have.

One thing that I like about the Fentora is that I don't get a sense of tiredness that I got from the Actiq. Again, it's my first week on it, so the jury is still out. I do love the quickness of relief though. There's nothing like it.

Any questions? Feel free to ask. I check in daily.

xoxo,
Annie B.

[AngylHeart]

Wow! This is very interesting and makes me wonder why I received the info from Cephalon when I called them on the 12th! My doctor even asked me about the sugar free version when I saw hime on Monday and I supplied him with the same info as herel

I guess I'll check with the pharmacy to see if they can find out what my co-pay will be for this med when I go to pick up my others on Friday. Regardless, I would much prefer this to the Actiq or generic.

Does anyone know why the conversion rate is recommended to be about 50% less for the sugar free?

Thanks,
AngylHeart

[Annie B.]

Angyl,

I was on 1200umg of Actiq and was put on 200umg of Fentora. This level of Fentora does not cover the pain as well as the Actiq but I think that I may not be using it correctly. I think that it may be dissolving too quickly in my mouth. Being diabetic, I love the idea of a sugar free med, but I liked the control I had with the Actiq being on a stick and me being able to control where it went in my mouth and how quickly it dissolved.

Like any new med, I think that it will be a question of trial and error to get to the correct theraputic level for me. I may have had expectations that were too high and will have to "adjust my sails" a bit.

At any rate, Fentora is out and being recognized by more and more insurance companies every day. The really nice thing is that it's available for multiple conditions, not just cancer as the Actiq is. From what I understand, the generic Actiq is still about $40.00 per pop--that's waaaaaaaaay to expensive for the chicky!

I'm going to stick with Fentora for a while and see if my doc will "play" with the dosage for a bit. I believe that it's a good med and hope that I get the great relief that I was getting with Actiq.

xoxo,
Annie B.

[AngylHeart]

Thanks so much for the info, Annie!

By all means, please keep us updated on how the Fentora is working for you. I am very interested in the dose and how well it is working to control pain. I am on 1600 mcg. Actiq, so i suspect that I might have difficulty with the effectiveness of the doses RXd.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing an update from you!

[Annie B.]

Hi there,

Angyl, I go back to my doc on Monday the 31st. I'll certainly check in then with the board and let you know what she does.

Currently, while I'm trying the Fentora, I'm on a regimen of two breakthrough meds and one long-term med. My doc wants me on 1 bt. and 1 lt. only (which is very reasonable to me) My doc reduced the quantity of my regular bt med and started me on a lower dose lower quantity of Fentora. The Fentora has run out and my regular bt. med will be out by Monday. I say this because is all plays into how I will approach my discussion with my doc.

With the Fentora, I will either need a stronger dose or a larger quantity. I absolutely LOVED the Actiq, except for the sugar issue. Because the Fentora I was prescribed has run out (about 3 weeks into the month)I'll be discussing this with my doc. I think that once the dosing is figured out, Fentora will be a good med for me.

I am so blessed to have found a doc who is so willing to work with me on trying new meds, being flexible with dosing, letting me listen and respond to my body, etc...I respect her and the medication she is entrusting me with and she respects me as a patient. We seem to be a good match. But...that's another subject for another thread and another day.

Back atcha on Monday!

xoxo,
Annie B.

[twotoejoe]

Has anyone tried the generic Actiq? Is it as good as the brand?

[BlueLakeBlue]

My husband got a presciption for the Fentora which he will be getting Thursday b/c the pharmacy did not have enough to fill his script. I was wondering how any body was getting along with the Fentora. Does it seem to work good for a break thru pain medication? How big is the tablet and were is the best place to let is disolve in the mouth?

Thanx!

~blue~

[paigiesmom]

I got my first script for the fentora this month. They are very small, maybe the size of an asprin. You put them between your cheek and the upper molar. They said that if its still there after 30 min you can wash it down with water. Mine only took like 15 min. They taste like baking soda, unlike the nice sugar taste with the actiq. Now strange, my doctor didnt know about the dosing instructions and gave me 400mcg just as my actiq. I didnt notice a big difference. I think pain wise they helped about the same but I think the fentora wore off VERY quick like maybe an hour. I did get really sleepy but it didnt last long. I dont like what the actiq is doing to my teeth but im not sure how well these really are. I may ask for like half acitq and half fentora for my script next time. let us know what your hubby thinks about it. Is he switching from another med or just starting this? what dose did he get? I had to wait for mine as well. Even once they got it in they just had not even heard about it.

Good luck, Kritsin