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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Prescription Dosage
        
(Message started by: Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 1:07pm)

Title: Prescription Dosage
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 1:07pm

I know this may be a repetitive question and I am sorry. Maxalt works for me BUT doctor prescriped 9 pills per dose which is $30.

Is it up to the doctor to prescripe how many pills per dosage, for example can he prescripe 18 pills per dosage which would be $30.

just wondering

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by brewcrew on Aug 29^th, 2006, 1:15pm

That's between you and your insurance company. Everybody's coverage is different. He may need to communicate with them to get them to approve you for more than the standard. Ultimately it most likely will not be enough. Then you can ask him to supplement with samples.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Bond007 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 2:48pm

My doc has done that before for me with my Frovatriptan. He wanted me to "double" up on the dosage, but the insurance company wouldn't allow me to "double" fill a script. So, all he did was to write the script differently so that the directions in essence doubled my dosage, the pharmacist double the amount they normally filled and the insurance company didn't have a problem with the script. However, I did have to pay A LOT more for the additional pills.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 3:11pm

but I was wondering if a prescription for 9 bills is $30 can he prescripe 18 pills for one prescription for still $30. Maybe this is a stupid question and I have a call into my doctor about this regarding maxalt.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Charlotte on Aug 29^th, 2006, 3:23pm

My doc gave me 18 for one co pay. My problem was that 18 was not enough. When I asked for a supplemental triptan for after the 18 were gone, that's what got me a trip to the neuro.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by brewcrew on Aug 29^th, 2006, 3:34pm

on 08/29/06 at 15:11:30, Superirish2005 wrote:

As I stated in my first post, you need to contact your insurance company and ask them what they'll pay for. Your doc can write just about anything he wants to - within ethical and professional bounds. It's a matter of what your insurance will cover.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 3:47pm

so he can prescribe 18 pills per co-pay. Like I said I have a call into the doc, taking 2 or 3 a day and getting them twice daily.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Charlotte on Aug 29^th, 2006, 3:51pm

What did your doc say when he got back to you? Just because someone here might have a different experience or opinion, it will probably not influence what your doc decides. If he doesn't help you, you will need to refine the way you ask for help or ask someone else.

Are you taking a "preventative". Even if they don't prevent, some of them reduce the pain level.

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by brewcrew on Aug 29^th, 2006, 5:03pm

on 08/29/06 at 15:47:57, Superirish2005 wrote:

so he can prescribe 18 pills per co-pay. Like I said I have a call into the doc, taking 2 or 3 a day and getting them twice daily.

No. Have you ever seen a prescription written like this:

Maxalt MLT 10mg, Take one tablet at onset of headache and one tablet 2 hours later as needed. Dosage not to exceed 2 tablets in 24 hours. #18 per co-pay.

No, the prescription will merely indicate how many tablets should be dispensed in a month. How many your insurance will pay for is between you and your insurance company.

Most likely you could get as many as your doc prescribes, but you'd have to pay retail price for those that the insurance won't cover. At retail, they're over $20.00 per dose.

I think you need to get on some cheap preventatives (verapamil, lithium, etc.)

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by Jobette on Aug 29^th, 2006, 9:29pm

Are you taking preventives? and are you seeing a neuro? :-/

Title: Re: Prescription Dosage
Post by BlueMeanie on Aug 30^th, 2006, 11:23pm

Welcome Irish,

on 08/30/06 at 15:16:41, Superirish2005 wrote:

why can't they prescripe 60 pills for 30 days

He can. The insurance will only pay for so many a month though. The rest will have to be paid full price by you. My insurance only pays for 4 imitrex shots a month. If I need more than that (which I do), I pay for the rest full price at $55 a shot.

You will learn after this cycle to STOCKPILE. Unless you can get a letter of necessity aproved by you insurance company, that's all they'll pay.

Do what the others have suggested. Find a prevent med and learn to use the non-med ways of coping. Ie., ice, coffee, air conditioning, hot showers, meditation, O2, melatonin etc. Don't just keep taking 2x a day unless absolutely necessary.