Hey folks, I'm wondering, have you ever reduced your meds by say a pill or two until new ones came in? I just noticed I have about 6 days left and of course the pharmacy that sends it to me has the day off. I get it. I'm just worried about how long it would take to get the next bottle. It took a month to get my first bottle, and I know I'm a new patient and all but hell I don't want to wait long time to get another. I'm sure it was the registration and all that crap, and I'll get it next week. Plus Doc has me on Lupron too so there's that.
Still, it shouldn't be an issue going down to 3 pills a day instead of 4 to extend it to 8 days of medicine correct?
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FinalBossMatt
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The half-life of enzalutamide is 6 days (range 3-10 days). It is metabolized to "N-desmethyl enzalutamide," which has a half-life of 8-9 days and is also active against prostate cancer. In addition, after taking it for a while, you already have the maximum concentration in your blood. So, I doubt there will be any drop in your serum level whatsoever by reducing the dose to 3 pills for 8 days.
Are you saying that a pharmacy will send you $10,000 worth of pills in the mail. I have to get mine in person at Kaiser. They wouldn’t think of it. My co-pay for those is $100. Most pharmacies that refill Xtandi have a special reserve of 10 - 15 pills for emergency filling delays. You should stick with the 4 pills a day unwaveringly until you discuss it with your oncologist. If you have supply issues, most oncology pharmacies will make ordering / stocking adjustments to make sure you get your meds on time. You are almost surely in palliative care , medical service providers will usually take great care to make sure you have what you need. If you have a coverage plan paying for Xtandi, most plans won’t let you order a refill sooner than 5-6 days before you run out due to the extreme cost of the prescription.
Yeah I was surprised too. I'm like, "If that's what you do...."
I'm with advent health here in FloriDUH and that's what they do. That makes sense with not wanting to refill all Willy Nilly considering the price of it.
I don't think anyone has an "emergency supply" but like I said I'm still on Lupron too, but once I see I get it on a regular basis, THEN I'm going to get comfortable with the mail-to-pharma company.
I've found if I call two weeks ahead, they mail it in time to get to me before I run out...I only take 2 pills per day. 4 pills makes me a complete invalid.....Good luck with your shipment and treatment....Yes, in the mail. No signing anything.
Kaiser has a 12 pill emergency supply in the drug locker just in case they screw up your refill. I’ve had to use it about 4 times in the last 26 months. Xtandi usually isn’t mailed , not only because it cost more than a lot of used cars or motorcycles for one month , but because it has strict temperature exposure requirements. When Kaiser gets my monthly supply , they transport it outside the building in a thermos chest. Look on the front of your sealed box and it says Xtandi has to be kept 68f to 77f with only small excursions outside that, also listed there. One refill I got was left to get too hot and all the pills stuck together and could not be separated without rupturing the pills. That was one of the times I had to use their emergency supply. That prescription can be quite literally “ your life “ in that bottle ... it’s important to make sure the meds aren’t damaged or rendered impotent by heat or cold. There is no possible way to do that in the mail. In deep winter or mid summer, they would surely get damaged. Lupron Xtandi has saved me from hospice and death for 25 months .
I doubt dropping to 3 pills until you get the next script would be a problem. If it were me I’d do that rather than stopping entirely. Some guys get by with a lower dose if their cancer is well controlled, it helps reduce SE’s. Of course they do this with the advice of their MO.
Where r u located? If in USA I would be willing to send gratis some Xtandi. Would appreciate it if you would cover postage thru PayPal once u receive said Xtandi. I have some extra and am willing to help out a fellow victim of this other plague (prostate cancer).
I am also with Kaiser, and my Xtandi pills were $3500 in January to meet my deductible, then $100/month, and free in August when I reached my out of pocket max. I always had to pick them up in person from the pharmacy where my oncologist is, 45 minutes away. I think that you can go with 3 pills for a week from my experience. Also, I have a bottle I can send you for free if you need it. I went back on it after a year of other treatments and it didn’t work, so I have unneeded Xtandi
I’ve done that, but I don’t know if it makes a big difference or not unfortunately. My mindset is some is better then none..but then again, is it? Good luck I’m sure it will come in, hopefully on time!
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