Comments on: Price of ADHD Medication: A Concerning Trend http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/ A blog about Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:13:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Desiree http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-549950 Desiree Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:04:54 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-549950 We did not increase the dose of my sons Strattera until this summer. He is now 10 years old. We noticed a drop in his school work and grades towards the end of last year. He made a comment to one of his teachers that he couldn't think straight and we didn't feel like we had any choice but to increase the dose from 25mg to 40mg. We noticed a slight increase each month for the 25mg dose and the final prescription that I had filled was around $145.00. Last month was the first prescription I filled the 40mg dose and it was $179.85. The worst part is that our 6 year old son seems to be following the same path and has extreme difficulty focusing on any task for more than a few minutes, which of course gets him in trouble and he hates school because of it. I can clearly see that we will probably be spending $400.00 a month or more on Strattera for both of them. As a parent I don't see that we have any other choice. It has completely changed my oldest sons life and ours! It is a wonderful drug and I only hope that there is a time when it is more affordable for those who are not insured or as in our case, under insured. We did not increase the dose of my sons Strattera until this summer. He is now 10 years old. We noticed a drop in his school work and grades towards the end of last year. He made a comment to one of his teachers that he couldn’t think straight and we didn’t feel like we had any choice but to increase the dose from 25mg to 40mg.

We noticed a slight increase each month for the 25mg dose and the final prescription that I had filled was around $145.00. Last month was the first prescription I filled the 40mg dose and it was $179.85.

The worst part is that our 6 year old son seems to be following the same path and has extreme difficulty focusing on any task for more than a few minutes, which of course gets him in trouble and he hates school because of it. I can clearly see that we will probably be spending $400.00 a month or more on Strattera for both of them. As a parent I don’t see that we have any other choice. It has completely changed my oldest sons life and ours! It is a wonderful drug and I only hope that there is a time when it is more affordable for those who are not insured or as in our case, under insured.

]]> By: Mrs. T http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-525732 Mrs. T Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:43:48 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-525732 While I support your right to have an opinion, it's clear that no one you love suffers from ADHD. My children are beautiful, well spoken, DISCIPLINED, thoughtful people and are NOT strung out. I fought giving them meds until I just couldn't do it anymore. This is an illness, just as if they had high blood pressure or diabetes. If you'd ever been in my position, I'm sure you would want your children to have the help they needed as well. While I support your right to have an opinion, it’s clear that no one you love suffers from ADHD. My children are beautiful, well spoken, DISCIPLINED, thoughtful people and are NOT strung out. I fought giving them meds until I just couldn’t do it anymore. This is an illness, just as if they had high blood pressure or diabetes. If you’d ever been in my position, I’m sure you would want your children to have the help they needed as well.

]]> By: Tammy Wilson http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-514325 Tammy Wilson Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:27:35 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-514325 I have a 14 year old daughter who has been on Strattera and Concerta. We recently moved and no longer have insurance coverage. Needless to say she has been off of her meds all summer because I cannot afford to pay for them out of pocket (almost $200 a piece). I have tried herbal medications but they do not work on her. With school starting in just a few weeks, I don't know what to do. And these two medications, there are no generics for. I have a 14 year old daughter who has been on Strattera and Concerta. We recently moved and no longer have insurance coverage. Needless to say she has been off of her meds all summer because I cannot afford to pay for them out of pocket (almost $200 a piece). I have tried herbal medications but they do not work on her. With school starting in just a few weeks, I don’t know what to do. And these two medications, there are no generics for.

]]> By: Kirstin http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-214822 Kirstin Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:29:18 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-214822 I can't speak to Adderall prices, per se, but in general, try Cost-Co, Walmart, and/or K-Mart or even Target pharmacies. You'll need a prescription in advance (ask your doctor to pre-date them), and order ahead of time. You don't need a Cost-Co card to order from their pharmacy. Exact same generics as Walgreens for 1/3--1/4th the price! Hope this info. helps...; ) I can’t speak to Adderall prices, per se, but in general, try Cost-Co, Walmart, and/or K-Mart or even Target pharmacies. You’ll need a prescription in advance (ask your doctor to pre-date them), and order ahead of time. You don’t need a Cost-Co card to order from their pharmacy. Exact same generics as Walgreens for 1/3–1/4th the price!

Hope this info. helps…; )

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-179481 Rebecca Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:28:19 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-179481 I used to be covered under Shire's patient assistance plan for Adderall XR. Then Shire released Vyvanse and, without giving any advance notice, eliminated their patient assistance program for Adderall. When I went to fill my prescription that month, I was told I would have to switch over to this new medicine, even though the warnings clearly state that I cannot take it due to a drug interaction. I wrote Shire, explaining the issue, hoping they would reinstate even a portion of their program for those who cannot take this new drug, but their response was a coupon to try Vyvanse. I cannot afford Adderall XR, so now I work two jobs to afford the non-extended generic version. Even so, I have to make my monthly prescription last 2-3 months if I want to eat and pay my rent. I work at the bottom rung in society and it's hard, because I have a very high IQ and, if properly medicated, could do so very much more. How many people does our government and big business throw away every year with its selfish, short sighted thinking? I live in a state where most doctors refuse to prescribe stimulants at all, so fighting to survive is a daily battle that leaves little room for anything else. The law gives those with physical disabilities far greater protection than those with mental ones. I pray someday that will change. I used to be covered under Shire’s patient assistance plan for Adderall XR. Then Shire released Vyvanse and, without giving any advance notice, eliminated their patient assistance program for Adderall. When I went to fill my prescription that month, I was told I would have to switch over to this new medicine, even though the warnings clearly state that I cannot take it due to a drug interaction. I wrote Shire, explaining the issue, hoping they would reinstate even a portion of their program for those who cannot take this new drug, but their response was a coupon to try Vyvanse.

I cannot afford Adderall XR, so now I work two jobs to afford the non-extended generic version. Even so, I have to make my monthly prescription last 2-3 months if I want to eat and pay my rent.

I work at the bottom rung in society and it’s hard, because I have a very high IQ and, if properly medicated, could do so very much more. How many people does our government and big business throw away every year with its selfish, short sighted thinking? I live in a state where most doctors refuse to prescribe stimulants at all, so fighting to survive is a daily battle that leaves little room for anything else. The law gives those with physical disabilities far greater protection than those with mental ones. I pray someday that will change.

]]> By: olivia http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-147044 olivia Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:03:27 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-147044 i don;t get it. we aren[t allowed to discipline anymore so lets just turn our kids into zombies. another goverment control plan so no one in thirty years will be awake long enough to think for themselves. i don;t get it. we aren[t allowed to discipline anymore so lets just
turn our kids into zombies. another goverment control plan so no one
in thirty years will be awake long enough to think for themselves.

]]> By: Desiree http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-140429 Desiree Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:55:34 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-140429 Dr. Hadelman, Thank you for the response. I actually thought of that myself and called the pharmacy to see what the cost would be for 28mg. The price is the exact same for a 10mg capsule, 18mg capsule, and a 25mg capsule. So, it is going to be $283 a month, which is far better than $400, but still a lot! Our insurance is 80/20 up to $500 out of pocket and then 100% up to $1,500 and then we are on our own. So, $283 is going to be doable. I fear we are going to be in this predicament for a while though. At least until he is up to 40mg and able to take one capsule daily again. Our 4 year old son is following in his foot steps. I don't know what we will do if we have two children on this medication at the same time! We have some time before that will be an issue, but it is a really scary thought. Dr. Hadelman,

Thank you for the response. I actually thought of that myself and called the pharmacy to see what the cost would be for 28mg. The price is the exact same for a 10mg capsule, 18mg capsule, and a 25mg capsule. So, it is going to be $283 a month, which is far better than $400, but still a lot!

Our insurance is 80/20 up to $500 out of pocket and then 100% up to $1,500 and then we are on our own. So, $283 is going to be doable. I fear we are going to be in this predicament for a while though. At least until he is up to 40mg and able to take one capsule daily again.

Our 4 year old son is following in his foot steps. I don’t know what we will do if we have two children on this medication at the same time! We have some time before that will be an issue, but it is a really scary thought.

]]> By: Dr. Kenny Handelman http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-140419 Dr. Kenny Handelman Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:09:01 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-140419 Hi Desiree, I suggest you talk to your doctor about getting doses for your son which are single pills daily - i.e. 25 mg, or 40 mg. Instead of 30 mg per day, maybe 28 mg would suffice - i.e. a 10 mg plus an 18 mg. At least that's two pills rather than 3 pills. The best solution is to review this with your doctor to find the best dose at a price you can afford! Best, Dr. Kenny www.safeadhdmedication.com Hi Desiree,
I suggest you talk to your doctor about getting doses for your son which are single pills daily – i.e. 25 mg, or 40 mg. Instead of 30 mg per day, maybe 28 mg would suffice – i.e. a 10 mg plus an 18 mg. At least that’s two pills rather than 3 pills. The best solution is to review this with your doctor to find the best dose at a price you can afford!
Best,
Dr. Kenny
http://www.safeadhdmedication.com

]]> By: Desiree http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-139925 Desiree Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:23:51 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-139925 My 8 year old son has been on Strattera 25mg for a little over a year now. He has gone from being an "at risk" student to straight A's! Our Dr. recently increased his dose to 30mg and of course the only way to get that dose is to take 3 - 10mg capsules. I couldn't fill the prescription because it was over $400 for a month! We have insurance and my husband and I have decent jobs, therefore we are not eligible for any pharmecutical assistance programs. I am at a loss of what to do. Any suggestions or information that anyone can share would be greatly appreciated. My 8 year old son has been on Strattera 25mg for a little over a year now. He has gone from being an “at risk” student to straight A’s! Our Dr. recently increased his dose to 30mg and of course the only way to get that dose is to take 3 – 10mg capsules.

I couldn’t fill the prescription because it was over $400 for a month! We have insurance and my husband and I have decent jobs, therefore we are not eligible for any pharmecutical assistance programs. I am at a loss of what to do. Any suggestions or information that anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

]]> By: tim http://www.addadhdblog.com/price-of-adhd-medication-a-concerning-trend/comment-page-1/#comment-138229 tim Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:09:58 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=486#comment-138229 it is absolutely ridiculous, there is no regulations and no alternative they name their price and your stuck what do they care it is absolutely ridiculous, there is no regulations and no alternative they name their price and your stuck what do they care

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