Generic abiraterone: I have been using... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,373 members28,135 posts

Generic abiraterone

LakeT profile image
32 Replies

I have been using abiraterone for 16 months and in New Zealand the only abiraterone available is Zytiga's at NZD2500 per bottle (~USD1450). I would like to purchase the cheaper generic abiraterone available in the USA but need a prescription to do so. My NZ oncologist cannot issue that but he is happy to continue to oversea the rest of my treatment. What would be the best way to get a prescription to allow purchase in the USA. At the moment I am considering a vacation to USA and seeking an appointment with an oncologist for the purpose of obtaining the prescription. Will this work? Is there a better way? Thanks for your advice.

Written by
LakeT profile image
LakeT
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
32 Replies
Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964

You can purchase the same US brand in India. Try IndiaMart.com.

LakeT profile image
LakeT in reply toMagnus1964

Thanks Magnus. I would worry that the tablets purchased were not actually abiraterone acetate. Anyway to be sure that it is abiraterone acetate?

swwags profile image
swwags in reply toLakeT

yes, take one or two to a lab and have them tested

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toLakeT

Any drug from India should have the same manufacturer's packaging as those from the US. That is what you need buy.

LakeT profile image
LakeT

Thanks

Tulipmuncher profile image
Tulipmuncher in reply toLakeT

Hi LakeT. I also live in New Zealand and have been on abiraterone for just over one year and I am also paying $4990 for two bottles. I take one tablet in the morning with a low fat diet and Prednisone. I am 70 years old and that amount certainly digs into your savings. Would be interested in what you find out about the abiraterone you receive from India. Like you I want to know that the generic abiraterone is the same as the original.

Bronzee profile image
Bronzee in reply toTulipmuncher

I have been taking Abiraterone from India for more than 2 years with 5 mg prednisone. . It has been effective and my last PSmA Petscan showed almost all lessions have resolved except for the one in L1 which will be treated with SBRT in two weeks. PSMA PETSCAN wasdone last 18 Oct only

I had RP in 2013 , gleason 4+3 , very aggressive carcinoma at 52 yrs old . I was psa undetected with no symptoms or pain for 8 yrs. Becauusse of Covid,, hospital visits were restricted and when I saw my Uro-onco, my PSA shot up to 236. I was put onAbi-prednisone Septt 2021. The cost was skyhigh until I was able to find a source in INDiA thaat woould ship direct to my house. RX needed for the medicine. The cost was cut by a whopping 80%. My latest PSMA Petscan was very encouraging and my Uro ONCO said that he is pleasantly surprised wth the medicine as he wanted me to use Zytiga 1000 mg a day.

I am on my 10th year now and no symptoms nor pain and I exercise daily.

LakeT profile image
LakeT in reply toBronzee

Good to read how well you doing. I’m planning on 20 years of Abiraterone so it’s well worth getting this sorted.

Iloveyoudad profile image
Iloveyoudad in reply toBronzee

Hi Sir. I’m glad to know how you are responding well with the generic Abiraterone. And am equally glad that I came across your response as I’ve been trying to source this medicine and want to make sure that I am purchasing a legit generic brand from India; considering my family’s financial status, being a solo parent and my senior citizen father under my care. Would greatly appreciate if you can share with us here your contact person or the URL link for Abiraterone. Thank you very much.

Bronzee profile image
Bronzee in reply toIloveyoudad

Where are you located? I can PM you the site where I get mine. You will need a prescription from your doctor. There are two doses 250 mg and 500 mg ..

Wellwhynot profile image
Wellwhynot in reply toBronzee

Hi there I am just wondering how I can source this drug and how long is the delivery.I live in NZ

GMry profile image
GMry in reply toWellwhynot

You can order the drugs from india. We live in NZ too delivery is 8 days but you need prescription. Try chawla MEDICOS. Aish is very helpful

Tulipmuncher profile image
Tulipmuncher in reply toBronzee

Hi Bronzee, Thanks for your response. Hope you stay well. Cheers from New Zealand.

Bronzee profile image
Bronzee in reply toTulipmuncher

Thank you. And to you too! I pray all is well..

DrawingSnowmen profile image
DrawingSnowmen

Maybe a video appointment could save you the trip?

LakeT profile image
LakeT in reply toDrawingSnowmen

Good idea. Thanks

LakeT profile image
LakeT

Thanks. NZ is usually a few years behind Australia in listing new meds. My treatment seems to be going very well so I don't want to risk any changes to the current settings, just maintain them at a lower cost. I've paid for Zytiga for another 240 days and will order a bottle of generic from India to give plenty of time to test it on arrival. BTW I'm on 1 tablet with low fat food once per day so the current cost is NZ$625 per month.

Flash64 profile image
Flash64

Hi LakeT! Like you I am in NZ and have been on abiraterone for almost 5 years, so the total cost is adding up. Medsafe are evaluating one (of the many) generics that are available globally but there seems to be no timeline for approval. I was first diagnosed in the USA (Oregon), so I may be able to connect you with my oncologist there if you're interested. Good luck!

LakeT profile image
LakeT in reply toFlash64

Thanks for the offer. I have today ordered on the Indiamart platform. $245 for 120 tablets. Hopefully it works out well.

Flash64 profile image
Flash64 in reply toLakeT

No worries. Would love to hear how this works out for you!

Proflac profile image
Proflac

Hi. USA might be your best bet for a video consult and prescription but just in case its relevant to you- generic is now in use in the NHS and I saw recently a BBC feature about someone who wasn't eligible due to crazy rules in England vs. Scotland and Wales, but is paying £250 per month for private prescription (for full dose I think). The phone helpline for Prostate Cancer UK may be able to tell you more about how you might access this. Let us know how the Indian stuff comes out. Best wishes.

johnscats profile image
johnscats

Hi pm me I might have a solution to your delema

rozjr profile image
rozjr

Try costplusdrugs.com. This is owned by Mark Cuban. I just saw the abiraterone 250mg 30Tabs for $33.5 US+ $5 shipping. I have not yet ordered from this site. You might want to look into it.

gsun profile image
gsun in reply torozjr

I tried that with a. perscription from Canada. The pharmacy would not accept it.

PabloK profile image
PabloK in reply torozjr

I use them all the time for BP and cholesterol and they tend to be cheaper and better than trying to use my Cigma insurance

LakeT profile image
LakeT in reply torozjr

Wow, so cheap.

Doggedness profile image
Doggedness

We are in Australia and have moved from Zytiga to Yonsa (now paying half the price). Can you ask your doctor if Yonsa is available in New Zealand? Maybe NZ and Aust have reciprocal Medicare options…

Woody007 profile image
Woody007

Hey just wondering if you eventually received your Abi from India and what brand it was. Trying to do the same myself?

GMry profile image
GMry in reply toWoody007

We ordered abiraterone from India and it arrived in 8days here in NZ. My husband first set of blood test after taking it for over a month are all fine. The company name is chawla MEDICOS the person I dealt with is Aish he is very helpful. $800 for 2bottles and shipping fee included

Woody007 profile image
Woody007 in reply toGMry

Hi thats great news that you able to source this from India , can you let me know what the brand of the Abi was?

LakeT profile image
LakeT

Hi Woody, I thought you had managed to source some. I got some in the USA but PSA is now doubling every 6 weeks so I will be moving to an alternative in 4 weeks.

susanwoodward profile image
susanwoodward

You can find generic abiraterone in some US local pharmacies also but it will be quite expensive because they mostly import it from India or Canada so it is far better if you buy it himself directly from India. And, make sure you must choose good generic abiraterone since there are lots of abiraterone brands in market but all are not same. You have to choose generic abiraterone from well manufactured company such as Glenmark, Dr. Reddy's etc….. They are FDA approved manufacturer so you can trust on quality. It been around 15 months & my husband is taking Indian Glenmark manufactured generic Abiraterone which is Abirapro brand. His PSA doing well on this. Choosing reliable source is also very challenging to import it. After lots of research we have been buying it in US from Indian pharmacy medixocentre.com. Thankfully we got one affordable source. You can import small quantity like 2-3 bottles easily in USA.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Workable strategies for obtaining low-cost ZYTIGA (abiraterone) from outside the US.

ZYTIGA (abiraterone) "is now generic and is available in USA for $2400 a month, In Europe for...
cesanon profile image

Merits of generic abiraterone acetate vs. Zytiga

I have been taking 1000 mg of Zytiga since early May this year. Now I see that several firms sell...

Abiraterone side effect

After 12 doses of abirateron/prednisone I developed a rather severe cough. Even though this is one...
GrantB47 profile image

Abiraterone and Breathlessness

After around 7 months on Abiraterone, I developed high blood pressure and quite bad irregular...
Dastardly profile image

ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) vs Mylan's generic abiraterone vs Yonsa

ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) vs Mylan's generic abiraterone vs Yonsa Some people have said that...
cesanon profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.