Anyone from Pa on Abiraterone Acetate with a plan D medicare policy. Please comment on plan and cost.

[benninger]

Trust work retirement sponsored plan has a lifetime limit and we need to find a plan D. Live in Pa. Been on Abiraterone for over 2 1/2 years and the cost is reducing the life time amount by 7000. per mo.

[mperloe]

I used GOODRX Gold at Costco and get it at $314 per month at 1000mg/day. We dropped to 500mg/day so $160 is not bad per month.

[benninger in reply to mperloe]

Thanks for the information we are 100mi. from the closest Costco but I am going to look into it. Dr would never agree to a reduced amount

[Concerned-wife in reply to benninger]

Go to GoodRx site. Costco happened to be good for us too; however, there were other places that were nearly as good such as one grocery store pharmacy. You don’t use your insurance.

Part D. Go to Medicare.gov and find the tool about finding a drug plan. Input all his drugs. It will tell you the cost per year for the premium plus drugs. Don’t just look at premium or deductible cost!

It is a wonderful tool. You can switch part d plans every year. We just did and will save thousands next year. (There is a penalty if you don’t sign up when first eligible. )

There is one other option that some doctors will consider based on clinical study and NCCN guidelines. Take 250 Mg with low-fat breakfast.

[mperloe in reply to Concerned-wife]

Initially Kroger pharmacy was the same price. But Kroger has a specialty pharmacy. They were listed as $300 locally, but they could not order it; I would need to go to Kroger specialty pharmacy which would be $800. Kroger Gold also has mail order.

Despite Medicare Part D, it is cheaper to shop around for the best price. As such, I am using 4 different pharmacies for different meds.

[mperloe in reply to Concerned-wife]

ascopost.com/News/58735http... Note that the serum level of abiraterone was actually higher after 250 mg with low fat meal.

[Concerned-wife in reply to mperloe]

We have been wondering about your 500 Mg dose, we even searched for a study yesterday. Can you please provide more info on this?

[youngigor in reply to Concerned-wife]

The link to ascopost reports that 250 mg is "noninferior" to the high dose in the fasted state.

My own experience:

For over a year - 1000 mg in fasted state - leg and stomach cramps.

Then for the next year: 250 mg w/ healthy lunch (some fat) - no side effects.

PSA was not detectable by standard tests (i.e., LT 0.1) throughout 2 year period.

On "holiday" now and enjoying it, but if I have to return to aberaterone will take 250 mg at lunch.

The link below has lots of detail but advises against the low dose approach while pointing out the major impact food/fat have. This study was supported by Jannsen, w/ employees of Jannsen, who own stock in the company.

future-science.com/doi/full...