I have regular Medicare, a plan supplement from American Republic and plan F Drug Plan from Humana. Currently I am on Lupron but my MO has recommended I add Zytiga and Prednisone. I checked on the cost of Zytiga with my Drug plan and it said it could be $950 month for 120 tablets - 250 mg tablet. Have any of you found a way to reduce the cost of Zytiga? Now is a great time to change plans if necessary.
Thanks so much for your input
One of the best ways to lower the cost with Zytiga is to take it with food. You can use 1/4 of the dose with a low fat breakfast. So your cost would be $237.50 per month instead of $950 per month.
Here's an article on the subject:
Thanks Gregg:
Are you on this system? What would be a low fat breakfast?
Thanks
I am not doing it.
Low fat breakfast would be something like granola, oatmeal or some other cereal, low fat milk and/or yogurt, fruit, etc. Eggs are fairly good as well, having around 8% fat.
Thanks - I asked my MO and he said he would not recommend it. Most Docs are very set in their ways.
Thanks for the input
My doctor told me about it although I already knew. I asked him if he was recommending it and he said "no".
But keep in mind, this has been tested and proven to be effective. I would definitely do it if I needed to.
Is this "Zytiga" (Abiraterone) from Janssen?
If so, why not take generic Abiraterone?
Thanks Dark Energy:
Generic Abiraterone is fine with me.
Do you where I can get a good price for 120 capsules a month?
Appreciate your help.
Tom
Looks like you got a good reply from strummer. I'm still working for large corporation, so fortunately, have plan sponsored health insurance that covers all meds.
Another note, the generic Abiraterone (250mg pills) I'm taking is from Mylan, it's working great, from diagnosis PSA 1000+, now at PSA <0.02...
Great story dark energy
I've been in this battle for 18 years this month. Just start Zytiga and hopefully it will work somewhere as close as it has for you and my PSA is only 4.5.
Appreciate you sharing your story do you think the generic manufacturer makes a difference I will request Mylan.
Thanks,
Tom
Well, Mylan is a quality generic Abiraterone, but to be honest, our Prostate Cancer is specific to our biology, so my PSA <0.02 means simply my cancer is not aggressive, "at the moment".
All the best, 18 years in the battle, is simply beyond amazing, have you been on ADT all this time?
No - - RP in 2002. RT in 2003. PSA hit 4 in 2012. Cassodex until 2018. Lupron last 18 months. PSA now 4.6 and some bone mets are growing. Now going to add Abiraterone. Hope it goes back down - God willing....
I so appreciate all of the input. A group battle sure helps. Thank you.
we just had the same discussion.
currently on RX plan D through AARP. You have to use Walgreens for best price.
I spoke to AARP today and they only allow generic. The estimated cost would be $350 a month for 120 pills. It is a tier 4 drug . may be worth looking into. take care
I do NOT recommend taking a reduced dosage of Zytiga with food. The absorption rate can't be guaranteed. Don't play with fire.
I agree, this is too much subjective, all the best...
Thanks so much
Have to agree with that.
Although if the option was not to take it at all because of cost, a reduced dose with food is better than nothing
Thanks so much...
No kidding!
Thx Fran
I am just starting to explore Medicare for January 2021. I'm in Ohio. I find that the AARP plan through United Health has Abiraterone for $164 until deductible met and $64 per month thereafter. Both Walgreens and Walmart had that price. Find a local agent who can wade through all this stuff with you.
is that plan D? we have D and aarp said it would be $350 a month! estimate. i want what you got 
Yes, D is the drug plan. Such a huge difference in cost. What State you in? And age?
68 Colorado. It’s the plan D assoc with Walgreens . Not advantage . I’ll def take a look at options!
Thanks - I will check it out
That is great Go Bucks
You might try personally exploring the various options on the US Medicare plans Preview comparison tool for the 2021 Open Season which begins Oct 15th. (Or, as GoBucks said, do the equivalent with the help of some local agent.)
medicare.gov/plan-compare/#...
That site makes me dizzy, or is it the Lupron and Abi
It's the prices!
Thanks for the link
India... It's only 21000 rs... Means 290 usd.. Brand name "zecyte Or abirapro"
I have been on Abiraterone(generic) 250mg daily with low fat breakfast for the last year. ..
Its amazing and it Works! Well.
My June PSA was 0.75ng/mL and last months PSA(30) days ago PSA was down to 0.485ng/mL dropping rapidly.
Plus the cost would be $237.50 but i’ve graciously found through my pharmacy a grant from the PAN foundation that pays for it all.
Woukd you consider another Med Oncolgist ? Worth a try, i believe that study that. Check with your pharmacist for open grants from the PAN ( patient assustance network) the’ve helped me for the last year.
Thanks so much for input Depot Doug
Took it for one year in fasted state, 1000 mg, at 0500 hrs and experienced tummy cramps and at time almost debillitating leg cramps. Then for 1 year at 250 mg w/ healthy lunch - no tummy troubles and almost no leg cramps. PSA was non detectable throughout (lt 0.1) and T was at castrate levels.
My UO approved this modified approach - we discussed the published study on how it was absorbed - huge fat factor - just google "zytiga" and "mcdonald's big breakfast" to find the study.
If good Rx can be believed, the generic is $298/month a few dollars more at Kroger, so around $75/mos taking the "reduced" dose with a meal.
Used pill splitter on 500 mg tablets, later got 250 mg tablets. Was not precise about lunch diet, there surely were significant swings in fat content and AA uptake.
just my experience - hope you find a solution that works for you.
Thank you so much for your input how long have you been on zitiga your success rate is fantastic and inspirational.
My Doctor switched me to the generic Zytiga once it became available. The outcome and effects of the drug are the same as original but the cost is way cheaper. I pay after all said and done $352.00 a month which on turn is picked up by my grants. Go on the Cancer websites and apply for the grants they were given to me by my Doctor and his staff. When I found out the initial cost related to my treatments I told my Doctor I would have to die his response to me is you will never leave my office without being treated and to not worry about costs because of all the aid available to us out there. I wouldn't mess with the food part unless your Doctor says it's good to do. Leo.
Great input Leo thank you
We, in Canada, have a provincial drug plan that doesn’t cover Zitega. Because of that the company gives it free of charge on “ compassionate grounds”
Now that's a good deal
In Australia, Abiraterone is approved under the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which means it is generally available for A$40 - the standard price for a PBS prescription. There are conditions that apply before prescription can be approved, but they are fairly liberal, and it should be available at that price to just about anyone. Because of my age and income level, I get it for A$6 per month. The price on the box says $3620.
Thank goodness for universal health care.
Your oncologolist could direct you to receiving your medication from the maker of the particular drug they are prescribing. If you qualify, they will send without charge.
Thanks I don't think I qualify as according to his nurse income
I am on Zytiga, 1000mg per day. The bottle of 60 tablets cost $4400 Cdn.
I know you are talking US $, but that is still much cheaper
Wow that is amazing
Do you “qualify” for Jansenn’s magical CarePath? janssencarepath.com/patient...
I am baffled by “eligibility” tho - “I have APCa and I am prescribed Zytiga” should be all it takes!
I also have AARP UnitedHealthcare Walgreens Part D. Even though "Wallgreens", Abiraterone must be provided UPS or FedEx through their subsidiary Optum Pharmacy.
Reading from my latest Optum receipt: Abiraterone Tab 250 mg 30-day supply (Qty 120), $51.16.
Obviously, I quickly moved through Part D Stages 1, 2, and 3, to Stage 4 Catastrophic Coverage where co-payment is 5% of the drug cost.
For almost a year, before generic Abiraterone was available under this plan, my costs for Zytiga were of course much higher. It's hard for me to believe that your Humana plan includes only Zytiga and not generic Abiraterone. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much for your information gearhead
Google ‘ grants for adv. prostate cancer’ and you should find several possibilities. I did that and get emails when the grants are open for a backup. Presently I have a continuous grant that my MO helped me with therefore I do not pay a dime for generic Zytiga.
Good luck! Jerry
Will do
Have you tried any foundations to help you not sure of your income but you can look it up to see if you qualify they should be able to help you at the doctors office to tell you which Grant’s are open. They only go by your income
Not your investments or your savings hope this helps you
Thank you - appreciate it.
Us too we have not pd for medicineBut we only qualified for one
The office of my MO did great work with me. They had to submit information to three different foundation type organizations. Most of these fill up very fast. The 3rd one they contacted approved me for participation for this year.
One of the best things I’ve experienced in 2020. My Zytiga copay has been $10/month this year.
Key takeaways: apply early and have your MO’s staff help you.
How long have you been on it and how is it working. Any new side effects other than the ADT?
I started Zytiga 12/19 when my PSA began to increase. I had paid my 1/20 script at the pharmacy operated by the oncology practice. My cost was just under $2000 for the first month of the year. I have Part D so it would have gone down in future months. The person I had been working with came out to the pharmacy and told us to hold on as I had been approved by the third foundation. I got my $ back on my credit card and paid for the January Zytiga with a $10 bill. I was approved for all of 2020.
The Lupron and Zytiga and prednisone combo has work great in lowering my PSA each month. My August reading was 0.126, my best ever. Working so far.
Side effects are difficult for me to evaluate. Some days are ok, many are crap. Pain has been a constant since before diagnosis: not as bad. Loopy brain is worse: at times I can’t think let alone concentrate. At times I’m relaxed and calm: other times I’m irritated and irritable. Fatigue is worse.
Summary: cost to me is great but side effects are worse. Oh, the joys of advanced prostate cancer.
Good luck to you and everyone as you prepare for 2021.
So appreciate your feedback.
Use a charity in Europe 350 dollars includes steroids postage extra found it great pm if you need details
I worked with a private insurance and medicare broker who helped me wade through all of the plans available that I qualified for. I brought along my list of physicians and medications along with any anticipated treatments, scans or tests for the coming year. The broker was able to pull up many options and compare them side by side for my decision.
Hopefully you have someone who can do that for you in your state too.
All the best to you!
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