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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex refill  cost and #
        
(Message started by: MJP4646 on Nov 8th, 2007, 5:58pm)
Title: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by MJP4646 on Nov 8th, 2007, 5:58pm
I am having a hell of a time with the new staff at my pharmacy.  Can someone answer for me 1 box is considered 1 unit correct? Should cost $80 to $90 for 1 box with no insurance.  They are trying to charge me $690.00 for 2 boxes  after I get my whopping 2 from insurance.

I have called the drug wholesalers to see how they bill the pharmacys but can't get the info out of them.
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by Steve_Gn on Nov 8th, 2007, 7:48pm
I just bought one box, 2 shots 6 MG/0.5ML.

With no insurance it cost me 179.00
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by Ray on Nov 8th, 2007, 8:28pm
There's the autoinjector (statdose pen refill) with 2 doses, that I don't use.

And

The box of 5 ampules that you draw up yourself, NDC 0173-0449-02.  That costs here about $300 a box.

Ray
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by MikeE on Nov 8th, 2007, 8:58pm
1 box total of 4 shots 304.42  
my insurance will only pay for 2 a month also. I try to stock pile them when I can. also drug store has sometimes post dated refills for me to get insurance to pay. I feel for you I have been down that road. Good luck.
Mike
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by Globi77411 on Nov 9th, 2007, 5:01am
In The Netherlands it’s about $ 80,- for one pack of two shots.

What I don’t understand is that some of you only get  2 shots per month from the insurance company! So what if you are a chronic?

I use between 3 and 5 shots per day……all covered by my insurance company. I had times I used between 8 and 10 shots p/d…..no problem….all covered.

Is it in the US a case of getting a more extensive/extra insurance?
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by inyoureye on Nov 9th, 2007, 7:26am

on 11/09/07 at 05:01:12, Globi77411 wrote:
In The Netherlands it’s about $ 80,- for one pack of two shots.

What I don’t understand is that some of you only get  2 shots per month from the insurance company! So what if you are a chronic?

I use between 3 and 5 shots per day……all covered by my insurance company. I had times I used between 8 and 10 shots p/d…..no problem….all covered.

Is it in the US a case of getting a more extensive/extra insurance?



CAREFUL!!!! Not supposed to use more than 2 times in 24 hrs I believe, that's WAY over doing it.
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by MJP4646 on Nov 9th, 2007, 7:44am
Thanks for the respones. As to insurance here in US it is only of late for me that insurance limits to 2 boxes. I am still trying to figure out why and will post when I get the answers.

I frequently have 7 or 8 in a 24 hour period especially this year beginning back October 5. I take shots for everyone of them they all get to a 9 or 10 Neurologist says take the shot do not worry about the 2 a day limit.

Now that being said by accident it was recently discovered that my heart is weak only pumping at 40% yet I present no clinical signs ie my stress tests are perfect, blood work perfect, cholesteral 146  no blockage etc.  I asked 2 cardiologists could it be the clusters and or imitrex and was told no by both.

I have to think that the pain from these constant 9-10 headaches has to put stress on the heart as we are fighting for our life against the pain and the imitrex I would think has some effect on bloood flow at the heart.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by vietvet2tours on Nov 9th, 2007, 9:03am

on 11/09/07 at 07:44:36, MJP4646 wrote:
Thanks for the respones. As to insurance here in US it is only of late for me that insurance limits to 2 boxes. I am still trying to figure out why and will post when I get the answers.

I frequently have 7 or 8 in a 24 hour period especially this year beginning back October 5. I take shots for everyone of them they all get to a 9 or 10 Neurologist says take the shot do not worry about the 2 a day limit.

Now that being said by accident it was recently discovered that my heart is weak only pumping at 40% yet I present no clinical signs ie my stress tests are perfect, blood work perfect, cholesteral 146  no blockage etc.  I asked 2 cardiologists could it be the clusters and or imitrex and was told no by both.

I have to think that the pain from these constant 9-10 headaches has to put stress on the heart as we are fighting for our life against the pain and the imitrex I would think has some effect on bloood flow at the heart.

Any thoughts?


Oxygen would be the answer.

       Potter
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by ski2k on Nov 9th, 2007, 11:22am
Good point Potter.

  Have you tried anything other than the trex? O2 seems to work for a lot of us.... 15 lpm (liters per minute) through a non rebreather mask. Much safer (and in my case more effective) than that much imitrex. You need to ask your doc about other alternatives. A good preventative might help too, like verapamil or topomax.

Good luck!
Adam
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by Globi on Nov 11th, 2007, 4:26am

on 11/09/07 at 07:26:15, inyoureye wrote:
CAREFUL!!!! Not supposed to use more than 2 times in 24 hrs I believe, that's WAY over doing it.


That is what Glaxo says. I am doing this for the last 8 years. According to my neurolog not a real problem.. I've just had a TOTAL medical check up and all is okay except  for hemochromatosis. But....it’s not good for everybody of course. If you have serious hart problems it could be dangerous.
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by MR_FLOOR on Nov 11th, 2007, 4:43am

on 11/08/07 at 17:58:50, MJP4646 wrote:
I am having a hell of a time with the new staff at my pharmacy.  Can someone answer for me 1 box is considered 1 unit correct? Should cost $80 to $90 for 1 box with no insurance.  They are trying to charge me $690.00 for 2 boxes  after I get my whopping 2 from insurance.

I have called the drug wholesalers to see how they bill the pharmacys but can't get the info out of them.

Yup thats what they where going to charge me when my insurance wouldn't cover any more. In fact I posted it when it happened to me as well. Talk about robbery without a gun huh.





Dave
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by michael on Nov 11th, 2007, 10:04am
I have been a CH sufferer for 40 years. I have been taking imitrex shots each cycle now for the last 10 years.
At first it was fine. Never had I had more than one hit a day when in cycle. I now get up to 4 or 5 hits a day. My neurologist also told me I can have as many shots as I need, and wrote to my doctor to give me whatever I needed. However, I am convinced that it is the imitrex that is causing the increase in hits. I have set up to go on oxygen the next cycle.

Mike
Title: Re: Imitrex refill  cost and #
Post by stacy3675 on Nov 14th, 2007, 7:16pm
reply I hate that some of us get it covered and some dont I just keep getting it filled becuase and am stock filling it because I am afraid that if insurance changes maybe you need a benefit plan with your insurance like ameriplan


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