1st visit MO

[reconjj]

HelloAll, my 1st visit with Dr. Szmulewitz , Univ. of Chicago . Seems like a good MO . Knowing up front from general knowledge on this site I expected SOC , ( standard of care ) and thats what was suggested . My Stage 4 , lymph node in pelvic area is to be SBRT next week , 3 days in a row at 9 grays per fraction . Then off to IMRT for 25 fractions . So Dr. SZ said Abi , ( Zytiga ) for 2 yrs . plus predizone 5mg . he wants me to do 1 pill a day (250 mg ) with a light low fat breakfast . We will stick to the Eligard for now . SemperFi , JJ

[Tall_Allen]

"he wants me to do 1 pill a day (250 mg ) with a light low fat breakfast ." That does not surprise me because he was the lead author of the randomized trial about it:

ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JC...

He did that study from 2012-2016 when the price of a one month supply of abiraterone was $9000. Since then, it has become generic, and a one month supply (1000 mg/day) is about $250. So there is no longer any reason to increase absorption of abiraterone with a low-fat meal. The absorption will vary according to the meal eaten, what is still in your gut, and will vary from patient to patient. If you want to assure you are absorbing an adequate amount of the drug, 1000 mg on an empty stomach is more reliable.

[6357axbz in reply to Tall_Allen]

Great synopsis TA

[Guber in reply to Tall_Allen]

I must be getting mine at the wrong place . My latest order is over $600.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Guber]

$220/mo according to this:

goodrx.com/abiraterone

[Guber in reply to Tall_Allen]

I use good RX all the time . Trying to get Zytiga from any of them or even Any local compounding pharmacy is about impossible

[Concerned-wife in reply to Guber]

We had no problem getting abiraterone, the generic version of Zytiga, from GoodRx

[Cynthgob in reply to Tall_Allen]

But the side effects of the zytiga must play into his decision to go with the lower dose if possible?? My husband was on zytiga 1000 mg with prednisone and then dexamethasone. He has had heart issues brought on by this drug we think. Why not go with the lower dose? I’m asking for future reference.

[leebeth in reply to Cynthgob]

There was not a statistical significance in the adverse events in the two arms of the trial, 250 with low fat meal vs 1000 on empty stomach.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Cynthgob]

Side effects are the result of the absorbed dose, not the number of tablets eaten. The import of his randomized trial is that the absorbed dose is about the same either way. If your husband needs a lower dose, he needs a lower absorbed dose. The ONLY way to do that is without food.

The ONLY reason to eat a lower dose with food is to save money.

[Turt713171 in reply to Cynthgob]

What kind of heart issues?

[Spyder54]

I was $366/mo @ CVS Specialty, then it went up to $410 2 months ago. I looked up Abi on Good Rx, it said $189 at Walmart Pharm. I inquired, they verified they had it, and after a year of $366, I feel sorry I didn’t look it up on Good Rx sooner (which is free). I could have saved $2,100 this past year. “A fool and their money are soon to part”.Mike

[homer13 in reply to Spyder54]

Always check pricing on GoodRx Gold. It is always worth the $5.99/month to me

[leebeth]

My husband only paid $15/month for abiraterone with our commercial insurance.

[Cooolone]

GoodRX is a godsend for many... I find it useful at times and always check my prescriptions there. Sometimes out of network is cheaper than what my insurance covers via Express Scripts!

How could that be? Especially when Express Scripts is one of three huge maintenance drug suppliers in the U.S., dolling out millions of prescriptions!

A bit of a rant could be placed here... because I find it offensive that this even occurs! Especially when it comes to cancer or any life impacting drugs. When GoodRX shows you the differentiated prices by pharmacy, I'm always like Whaaaaaat? I cannot understand how there are such differences, and how or why "coupons" are offered to different retailers so to say that are merely dispensing the drug to the patient! This isn't Coke-a-Cola... You don't get a 2 for 1 sale! Shouldn't the price, well... Be the price!?

But anyways, it is a benefit to everyone that it's accessible for free (for now) that you can check there. I feel funny sometimes then calling my doctor and switching the prescription to the cheapest supplier but hey, who cares right!? But if you're unaware, it can cost you big time!

Oh, and sorry for the diversion (thread)...

Best Regards

[dhccpa in reply to Cooolone]

Good 🐱 nfo