What to do with extra DMTs?

[CampTiff]

I am quitting my DMT. I take Betaseron and randomly get hit with flu-like symptoms. This unpredictability gets debilitating. Anyway, I have gotten 3 months at a time, and am stopping at the end of one month. So I have two months of unopened meds that I hate to just throw away. Does anyone know of any way to pay our meds forward? I hate that our meds are so specialized and expensive! Thanks for reading and I hope you have a nice day though!

[falalalala]

When I quit taking Copaxone, I had about 10K worth left over so I asked my doc what to do with it and she said to toss it as it shouldn't be "repurposed".

That was fine with me as I hadn't any desire to practice medicine.

Some police stations will accept meds to be thrown out.

Frankly, I've never been happier to get rid of something.

[CampTiff in reply to falalalala]

Thank you! I figured I would just need to turn it in to my pharmacy for medical waste, but I was hoping there was some organization or something that would accept it as a donation! I hate being wasteful.

[falalalala in reply to CampTiff]

I know what you mean.

10K, out the window!

If I did give it away and the recipient had an adverse reaction, or worse, I'd have to hire a good attorney and who could afford one after paying for those meds?😂

[CampTiff in reply to falalalala]

True. SMH.

[Helpmeup in reply to falalalala]

Your post hit home for me. There have been a few DMT's I stopped that I wanted to destroy with a baseball bat! 😂😂

[falalalala in reply to Helpmeup]

😅😅

[Helpmeup]

Hi CampTiff. Please do not throw away such expensive meds. Every time I switched DMTs, I brought the extra to my neurologist. She always has patients in need. As long as the meds are in sealed packages, your neurologist can pass your two month supply on to another M.S. patient. Neurologists always have a supply of samples on hand from pharmaceutical reps, and my doctor was always happy to take my unopened meds to give to another patient. Please pay it forward 🤗.

[agate in reply to Helpmeup]

Helpmeup, I'm really surprised that your neurologist would accept the unused meds. I've had this problem 3 times now (Avonex, Copaxone, Glatopa) and each time I had to discard the unused meds. I asked the neurologist, my primary care doctor, and the pharmacy. I called the toll-free numbers for each drug. The answer was always the same: You can't give them away, sell them, or return them. It's too risky, apparently. The person giving the drugs away just might have tampered with them in some way. Of course you wouldn't have done any such thing but there have been some bad incidents.

[Helpmeup in reply to agate]

Hi agate. Your post makes me wonder if laws differ from state to state. When I had to stop Kesimpta, I had two doses left in the sealed boxes they came in. My neuro was happy to take them to pass on. She also took my leftover Tecfidera, which was in sealed bottles inside the original boxes. And the same with my Vumerity. I had two bottles in sealed boxes and gave them to my Neuro. I do know that pharmacies have a strict policy of not taking back any drugs, even in sealed boxes, which I completely understand.

It is such a shame that these DMT's have to be discarded, considering the insane costs. But as you point out, if you ask and are turned down by everyone, out they go. Take care.🤗

[agate in reply to Helpmeup]

"Your post makes me wonder if laws differ from state to state."

That could be what is happening. I had this experience in only 2 states and don't know about the others, though I have noticed this question coming up in support groups now and then, and usually the person is told to discard the med. What a waste but there seems to be no way around it unless you happen to know someone who trusts you not to have tampered with the med and is willing to take it.

[goatgal]

I think the best way might be for someone on the same med to PM you and do it privately. This involves trust and honesty, rare commodities of late, but it would satisfy my ethical code. When I had an adverse reaction to Ampyra, through a MS in person program, I was able to give two unused months of the drug to another participant. She was glad to have it and my values felt validated..

[mrsmike9]

Walgreens has a container close to the pharmacy where you can put unused medicine.

[DarMim]

Hello,

I have been on Betaseron for just shy of 20 years. I take it 3 x a week because I am doing well. I always take 2 advil right after my dose. If I do not take advil I will get the terrible Flu Like symptoms you are experiencing. If I do take it I do not have any symptoms. If you are just starting out it make take awhile for your body to adjust. But in my experience it does. If you could hang in there you might be ok as long as you take at least 2 advil. Also, I hope you don't throw the medication out as you know it is extremely expensive. Try talking to a Beta Nurse through the Bayer website. They are very helpful as well. There is a lot of support out there, just have to ask for it. Best of luck. I hope it works out for you. Darleen M.

[Tazmanian]

Call your town to find out what the local rules are

[OSU13]

Which medicine are you looking to start in its place? I hop you continue to keep taking something to control the progression of the disease! The options are all very different. After the Betaseron, I took Copaxone for 20 years. I am now on Aubagio. I love taking the pill over taking shots for that long.

I hope you find a good match!

[CampTiff in reply to OSU13]

My neurologist suggested that after 20+ years on an interferon and in secondary progressive status my meds may no longer be effective and I may want to consider going off meds completely. I have an appointment in a few weeks with a different neurologist and I will ask for a 2nd opinion.

[mhepler531]

We have a low cost medical/dental clinic in our town that serves a large population of lower income families. I donated five boxes of Tecfidera, 3 boxes of Victoza, and some other random unopened pill bottles last year. They even give you a tax receipt.

[GreatDanekids]

I was able to give 2 unopened months of Aubagio to my neurologist when I switched back to Copaxone.

[Bubbles52]

I was on Betaseron for 15 years it was a good drug but the flu like symptoms I called Mac Truck Syndrome because it felt like I was getting hit by a truck and it came back a second time. I tried Aubagio that was good now I’m on Ocrevus. I read Beta Seron can cause Thyroid problems and yes I have Hyper Thyroid and Goiters and Nodules. What do you do.🤷‍♀️. There are some drug manufacturers that will help you financially get online and be proactive and always fight 💪🏻and stay strong. Spoonie Love 🥄