So my doctor knew Tecfidera was working very well for me and all of a sudden, my pharmacy sends the generic version. It’s only been 3 days and it’s a disaster, more MS side affects than I’ve had in years. My doctor’s response to me telling her my side effects from the generic dimethyl fumarate(generic form of Tec): “Let’s get you started on Vumerity. It’s like Tecfidera, but less side affects. I’ll let our pharmacist know.”🤷🏾♀️I wish there wasn’t so much propaganda and pill pushing going on at my expense. 2 out of every 3 neuros I find is either a pill pusher or new med maven, makes me sick. There was no honest reason for her to change my prescription from Tecfidera to dimethyl fumarate without telling me. I lost all respect for her today.
Generic Tecfidera: So my doctor knew... - My MSAA Community
Generic Tecfidera
I agree with you, it isn’t right that they think they can mess with your life. Generic brands are cheaper and often the ingredients are even sugar. Our pharmacist dishes out the cheapest drug, but so far the oxycodone is the same, thank God. Hope you get sorted, Blessings Jimeka 😊
I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with this. How frustrating.
My insurance company was the one who insisted I get the generic version of certain drugs, including Copaxone.. My doctor had to deal with the insurance company to get it switched to the brand name. You might ask your doctor to appeal to whatever insurance company you have to reinstate the brand name drug for you.
Good idea! I’ll look into it.
I tried to get the brand name of Copaxone for the longest. But after awhile we lost the battle. Generic Copaxone; glatimer acectate. At least I have been okay on it, but I use the Copaxone reminder. And the generic auto inject took sometime to get use to.
I asked mine to dispense it with no alternatives, Tec only & they did
After day 2 of negotiations, I’m back to Tec and Tec only. They’re overnighting it to my local pharmacy. Great advice Royce!
I’m sorry you are going through this. How annoying! She never should have changed your prescription without talking with you first. My Primary Care is the pill pusher on my medical team. We have argued and argued about some of her choices. I want to find a new doctor but want someone with experience. Not easy to find around here.
Raingrrl , I found an awesome doctor who specializes in MS, but then I moved out of state. I had to drive an hour one way for her visits. Each time it felt like I was visiting a friend. She even drove in with her mom and son to see my theater performance!!🤩Her office was located in a medical plaza but felt like home on the inside. I miss her and her staff. Too bad she doesn’t practice in this state. You know I already checked!😁
I am so sorry you had to go through that, but happy that your Neuro is a good
negotiator! Mine has to to deal with my insurance often, as the Insurance Co. seems to think they know more about prescribing than my Doctor does! Stay well and keep us posted!
leking1 I wish it was my neuro doing the negotiations, but no. She was too busy trying to get me on a new drug called Vumerity- had her pharmacist quickly email me trying to set up an appointment and everything🤦🏾♀️. Good thing I’m a good negotiator! 😄
Need to ask for script that reads “name brand only”. Dr will have to state to insurance co that generic is causing you side effects that name brand does not.
Generics only have to contain a certain % of the active drug and can use different fillers. It’s not 100% the same.
You’re absolutely right Goldilockssearching
wow
I have a few posts and replies about generic Tecfidera. To be effective, it has to be made by the same company that makes the brand Tecfidera. Otherwise some Indian companies make deficient generic Tecfidera. It's not that Tecfidera has side effects. (I had been on it for 4 years, and I am very prone to side effects.) Brand Tecfidera has no side effects except possible PML. It's that generic Tecfidera can be - and usually is - really bad. Go back to brand if you can.
IFwczs True. I’ve been on Tec since 2013. Glad it still works.
Did your doctor change it, or did your INSURANCE change it. Many times insurnce will change your Rx to an available generic without asking anyone. So call and ask. Start with the pharmacy that filled your Rx, then the insurance company, then the doctor, or do it in any order that helps you the most. Never forget the people on the phone aways have a supervisor. Be strong, assertive, and confident, but always polite. You will eventually get the real answer. From there you will know how to proceede.
Hope
I finally got my Tec back! 🙌🏾🥳My neuro wrote a new Tec scrip with “no substitutions.”I had to call Biogen who then called my pharmacy with my co-pay assistance info. Thanks for the encouragement fam!🤗🥰
I am happy that members in this forum could assist you with this, tiffortat I didn't remember that unless your doctor writes 'no substitutions' on the script, the insurance company/pharmacy can indeed fill with a comparable product. Keep Smiling 
😃Always
I bet she will write for it if you are willing to pay the part insurance refuses.
I’m not looking forward to when my drug goes generic 😱
I’m sorry you’re having a rough time. A little notice would have been nice.
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