Generic Aubagio

[Humbrd]

For those on Aubagio. My neurologist said that next year a generic version of Aubagio is coming out. They said that means that the insurance probably won't want to pay for name brand anymore. She said if that happens and I felt like the generic version wasn't working we could look at other options but because of jc positive I'm limited. I'm concerned but not yet worried because it hasn't come out yet and insurance hasn't stopped paying.

[twooldcrows]

that is terrible ...i am afraid of them going to what they call generic ...are they going to work as good as the first out????

[Humbrd in reply to twooldcrows]

I know, right. How will we know. And of course the insurance will want to only pay for generic.

[bxrmom]

That is what happened when generic Tecfidera came out. So far, it is working for me. Sometimes, generics are better than the name brands. I hope that when/if you have to switch to the generic, it works for you.

[Humbrd in reply to bxrmom]

I sure hope it does!

[Neworleanslady]

ive had generics of other meds (other than dmt’s) and a lot of times i find they work better or same as name brands

[Humbrd in reply to Neworleanslady]

Yes, I agree. But when the doctor said that if it isn't working as well we could try something else, I thought okay well does that mean generic aubagio might not be as good.

[muffin66]

I had heard about the other coming out but had not heard about the possibility of insurance not paying. If you don’t mind, would you explain jc positive?

[Humbrd in reply to muffin66]

John Cunningham virus. Before starting some new meds the doctor should check you for John Cunningham virus AKA JC virus. It is a virus in a lot of the population and we don't even realize we have that virus in us. But most DMT meds for MS if you are positive for JC virus then you have a much higher chance of having PML a rare brain infection that could kill you. I'm personally not willing to take the chance and my doctor feels so too. Maybe on the commercials you have heard some medication say PML a rare brain disease could happen.

[Humbrd in reply to muffin66]

Whenever there's a generic that comes out a lot of times the insurance companies don't want to pay for the name brand anymore when they can pay less for the generic.

[Purdue02]

The only difference between brand and generic drugs are the Inactive ingredients (such as flavorings or salt). The Active ingredients in both brand and generic drugs have to be the same to perform the same function. I remember talking about this when I was in college. Generic drugs are good. It just depends on individual preference. It may also depend on how an individual responds to inactive ingredients. I have not heard about a generic version of Aubagio nor the insurance issues associated with it.

[Humbrd in reply to Purdue02]

I hope their the same and you are right