Is anyone taking Erleada?

[MydogisTed]

Hello, I received my first Eligard injection on June 6th. PSA dropped from 9 to 0.7 in 3 months. For my second ADT treatment my doctor wants to switch to Trelstar. From what I read it sounds like Eligard and Trelstar are very similar, same side effects. Doctor also wants to add Erleada. After checking my drug plan the cost of the Erleada is exorbitant!! Is anyone else on Erleada, and how do people afford the cost of this drug???

[MateoBeach]

You may get just as much benefit from Zytiga +p, instead of Erleada and at much lower cost as it is available generic. It can also be stretched out even further by taking 250 mg with a fatty breakfast rather than 1000 mg on empty stomach. Works just as well for many at 1/4 the cost.

[MydogisTed in reply to MateoBeach]

ok, thank you for the information.

[dhccpa in reply to MydogisTed]

Check GoodRx and Single care for their prices for generic Zytiga (abiraterone acetate).

[ncisc001 in reply to MateoBeach]

My father has been on Erleada for about 4 years and has Medicare and has never had to pay for it. He has always had copayment assistance that his oncologist has helped with. They have designated people at Emory that just find copayment assistance for patients to utilize and it’s amazing, not sure if your oncologist has it.

[MydogisTed in reply to ncisc001]

That sounds great! I will definitely check with my doctor about any payment assistance that may be available.

[Chadsdad]

On Eligard and Erleada about 32 months. Very good results from the start. Last ultra sensitive PSA was 0.014. Fatigue, hot flushes and loss of libido side effects. Turned 67 this morning and shooting for 20 more.

[MydogisTed in reply to Chadsdad]

I'm glad that it has worked so good for you. Hopefully I will have successful results too! Good luck!

[SteveTheJ]

Yes. Ask your doc to sign you up for the Janssen discount program; it might help.

[Mjex in reply to SteveTheJ]

I have been on it for a month, under the Janssen discount program through MSKCC's insurance experts, and it hasn't cost me anything out of pocket. I do work out hard to counteract the side effects of Erleada and Lupron and it seems to be working. Currently PSA is nondetect. 😀

[Sailing-Todd]

The NHS here in the UK got a deal with Janssen and it is free to NHS patients. Sadly though, the NHS is failing badly at the moment so I guess there are trade offs in all these things. Private health insurance in the UK (if you have paid for the top tier of cover), also pay in full for Erleada. Sailing-Todd has been on it for five months and is doing very well, even surprised the oncologist I think!

[bglendi53]

I was on Erleada with Lupron for about 20 months before I became castration resistant. Side effects were mild, mainly fatigue, hot flashes, nausea, but the Eligard is adding the same side effects so it's tough to say which one causes more.

As for the cost, there are programs provided by the drug mfg, below is the link for Erleada if you want to see if you can get help. Having private insurance usually offers the best assistance.

janssencarepath.com/patient...

[MydogisTed in reply to bglendi53]

Thanks. I've been reading about the Janssen program. I will meet with my doctor in a few weeks to discuss all of this before he actually puts me on it. I have found a couple of drug interactions between the Erleada and two of the cardio drugs that I already take, so we will see......

[bglendi53 in reply to MydogisTed]

I have diabetes and the Erleada spiked my blood sugar about 15%. According to the pharmacist, about 17% of those taking Erleada had this issue. Something to think about if you have the "D" word too.

[MydogisTed in reply to bglendi53]

I don't have diabetes, but I do have Afib and a cardiac electrical issue. I found out today that my insurance, along with the Janssen plan, will pay the cost of the Erleada. That was a big load off my mind!!!

[bglendi53 in reply to MydogisTed]

Glad it worked out for you

[Whwalker1944]

I started on Erleada this month and major side effect is no energy. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to minimize being exhausted all the time?