Xtandi vs generic. Humana advised upon first prescription for Xtandi that the generic drug Flutamide is a substitute. Anyone using a generic

[Jackrow]

My insurer Humana advised on 2/23/18 that Flutamide is an “approved” generic for Xtandi. This was news to me & while I’m checking with oncologist I wanted to seek input from real world users. This generic is substantially less than Xtandi in price but more important to me is it’s effectiveness. I am hormone resistant stage 4 with extensive bone mets & increasingly PSA despite chemo.

[YostConner]

Worthwhile reading: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Jackrow in reply to YostConner]

Thank you - I suspected but appreciate the quick tesponse

[Tall_Allen]

That is completely wrong. Xtandi is the brand name, and enzalutamide is its generic name (but it is not available as a generic drug - it is still patent-protected). Flutamide is a much less powerful anti-androgen (similar in strength to Casodex), and is not a substitute in your situation (metastatic and castration-resistant). Appeal the decision.

[Jackrow in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you - I understand! Appreciate the help

[cbc-ppml in reply to Tall_Allen]

As I would understand it, a generic medication is more or less by definition no longer patent-protected. "Enzalutamide" would be more like a technical chemical name. However, there have been controversies about the high cost of the drug, resulting in India approving low cost generics, some U.S. lawmakers considering overriding the patent protection, etc. Try a Google search on: enzalutamide generic.

[Tall_Allen in reply to cbc-ppml]

"Generic" refers to the name of the chemical. The "brand name" is what the manufacturer markets it as. So for example, ibuprofen is the generic name of the drug marketed by the brand name 'Motrin®" by Johnson & Johnson. Because patent protection has lapsed, anyone (e.g., CVS) is free to sell the generic, usually at a lower price."Enzalutamide" is the generic name for the drug marketed as Xtandi® by Astellas. you won't be able to buy it as a generic until their patent protection expires. Generic names exist whether there is patent protection or not, but it can only be sold as a generic after protection has lapsed.

[Jackrow in reply to cbc-ppml]

Thank you

[Hidden]

They are not the same drug.

[Jackrow in reply to Hidden]

Thank you -,understood

[Jackrow in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the quick insight

[Magnus1964]

I have taken both, I had a difficult with flutamide. I could not take it. It is a cheap drug that your insurer would rather pay for as opposed to xtandi. They are not the same. Your insurer may say you will have to try flutamide before they will pay for xtandi. so don't let them confuse you.

[Jackrow in reply to Magnus1964]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Anyone else not like it when insurers override doctor's decisions in order to save money?

[j-o-h-n]

Brand name is JOHN, my generic name is j-o-h-n

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/25/2018 8:36 PM EST