Cheaper Prices for Medications

[JoAnne Wheeler]

I went to a Walgreens to get my hormone prescriptions filled. The lady pharamacist was extremely nice to me. She suggested that I join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. It costs $ 20.00 per year. I now have and Official Walgreen Savings Club Card in JoAnne's name.

And best of all, I got 90 days of Estrogen for $ 12.00. My Spironlactone normally costs $ 90.19 per month, but with my card, it only cost $ 59.94. My Avodart normally costs $ 131.99 per month, but with my card, it only cost $ 117.99. My insurance will not cover any of my Transition medications, so while the medications are still too expensive, I think I am saving money (I think ???)

I did not know about the plan before the wonderful lady pharmacist helped me sign up.

I never cease to be amazed at the kindness that everyone has shown me when I am out in public. I do not know if I pass or not, but it has never been a problem. I just hold my head up high, think positive and just do it.

If I can, all of you can.

JoAnne Wheeler

[Traci Elizabeth]

I know every public action we take in female mode only increases our strength, self-assurance. Congrats!

[Sheila]

Great news JoAnne ......... and already you have saved more than your $20 outlay :):)

[Lorileah]

as a consumer and since your health provider won't cover these meds it is worth your time to shop other pharmacies. Here we find that Wal-mart and Costco are often less expensive than Walgreens or the supermarket pharmacies, so you might check those

[carolinoakland]

I was recently dropped from my health and prescription plan, and the walgreens folks saved the day, My monthly cost for my HRT was 45 on the health plan. Out of pocket was going to be 125, walgreens got me on the plan and got the cost down to 41... so I'm saving more money. Every little bit helps the kitty kitty.

[EnglishRose]

Target and Walmart both carry $4/30 day generic drugs, or even $10 for 90 days. That includes spiro.

[Faith_G]

Wal-Mart is WAY cheaper than that, JoAnne. My dose of spiro is too high for their $4/month plan, but it is still only $22 for a 30 day supply. CVS wanted $42.

I have an HSA and high deductible insurance, so prescriptions are my problem.

[Ashley Lynn Swift]

I know I've been using that Wal Greens prescription plan too for my hermones and it has saved me so much money since I don't currently have health insurence. the first time I filled my prescriptions I didn't kmow anything about the prescription plan and it cost me almost 200 hundrend dollars for my hermones I couldn't believe how much it cost. and then the second time that I actually filled them I was at my local walgreens and they suggested the prescription drug plan to me. I was so excited to see my cost drop fron almost 200 to 79.50. Now cause of the high dosage my doctor has my on it's running me about 100 to fill both of my scripts but thats still better then the 300 or so that it would probably be without it.

[mattie]

I just started taking Spiro after being on Avodart for the last 10 months. I had an Aetna plan through my wife's work up until 2010, but this year her company switched over to UHC. UHC immediately stopped paying for the Avodart because it wasn't "approved" for non prostate cancer use so I had to find another way to fill it. I ended up doing some research and finding a reputable pharmacy in Canada. My doctor faxed my prescription to them and they filled it for around $120 for 90 day supply.

Now that I'm on Spiro as well I checked out with my insurance that they covered it, and they do. So I'm getting Spiro through insurance for $5/mo, but have to pay out of pocket for the Avodart. There's no way I could afford the Avodart if I wasn't getting it out of the U.S.

I would encourage anyone to spend some time doing research looking for reputable sources for your medications. There are definitely options out there between the drug discount cards, and reputable online sources.

[Hope]

I don't mean to drive this bus off topic, but with the discussion of cost here, I wonder why so many of you seem to be taking Avodart, when dutasteride and finasteride are both available as generic alternatives... is there some benefit to the branded Avodart I am missing?

[mattie]

Well first there's a difference between dutasteride and finasteride. The dutasteride has a longer half life and blocks two types of testosterone I think.

I've just been getting the brand name because I know it's not available as a generic in the US yet, so I'm sticking to the US version for now made by Merck I think. It was my first time using an offshore pharmacy so I wanted to be sure I was getting the exact same thing I would get here in the US.

Have you been taking the generic Avodart?

[Jennifer in CO]

I quit buying mine here locally about 3 years ago. I was buying my asthma meds and then added my Climara to the list when the Dr put me back on E.

inhousedrugstore.com

They don't have everything but have most things a girl (or guy) could need. Takes about 10 days to 2 weeks on average to get supplies.

Jenn

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

As an example, the spiro and avodart my prescription plan covers it. The reason why is that I have mild high blood pressure and Spiro is a Blood pressure medication mainly. And Avodart is used for prostate enlargement issues, which at 52 I suffered from. So for the two of them I pay $40.00 a month.

It is the estradiol cream I pay out of pocket $50.00/ month. So check with your doctor, he or she may write the script to indicate it is for those diagnose's and not for GID diagnosis. Kimberly Marie Kelly

[CharleneT]

I don't mean to drive this bus off topic, but with the discussion of cost here, I wonder why so many of you seem to be taking Avodart, when dutasteride and finasteride are both available as generic alternatives... is there some benefit to the branded Avodart I am missing?

You're not missing a thing really. The diff is that Avodart does a better job**, hence many would prefer it. Maybe to the extent that they would pay more. BUT, the generic form is not available here in the USA that I know of. So a patient is stuck with around $4 a day for it - or some form of coverage. Or some other form of luck.

Generic Finasteride is available, and fairly easily. Even the branded has dropped in price a bit ( due to the popularity of Avodart).


** generally speaking, Avodart inhibits, type 1 and 2 of 5 alpha-reductase while finasteride selectively inhibits the type 2 isoenzyme.

[Nicole Erin]

TS people wonder or worry about insurance covering their HRT meds.
If they don't, then do not take it personal, greedy insurance companies don't cover anything but their own asses. Ehh don't get me started about them.

With the spiro, find out what Walmart would charge, I think spiro is on their $4 list, but of course I don't know how much you take so you would have to do the math. Course check on your other meds too, HRT or otherwise.

With being out and stuff, you look to pass well, I don't imagine you having a lot of problems.

AND I ain't gonna go digging for it, but I think I remember a time when you were really worried about how you would be treated and were all in the closet.

Seems you have come a long way, sister. :)

[Karen564]

I don't mean to drive this bus off topic, but with the discussion of cost here, I wonder why so many of you seem to be taking Avodart, when dutasteride and finasteride are both available as generic alternatives... is there some benefit to the branded Avodart I am missing?

That's a fair question,

Like any brand name, you'll pay more for it...
But...... not all drug stores carry every generic..

Once any generic drug form becomes available, it's foolish Not to get that instead..........., because it's chemically identical to the brand name drug except for the price..
The only possible difference between a generic & brand name pill, tab or capsule, is that the brand name may have a better coating on the outside...that's it..

For example, I pay roughly $ 1.00 each for Dutas gel caps (generic form of Avodart) dutasteride, compared to spending $ 4.00 ea. for Avodart.

As Charlene pointed out, dutasteride & finasteride are not the same.