Need advice on ED drug prices - yikes!

GreenAcres

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 474

Posted 8/5/2006 11:06 AM (GMT -7)

Just got back from Pharmacy with Cialis - 8 pills=$99

In the past, we've tried Viagra/Cialis - but only samples. Cialis seems to cause less of headache - haven't tried Levitra, but a friend vomits profusely with it, so we've steered clear of asking for that, yet.

This is a little pricy for ongoing use. Medicare - didn't sign up for the drug plan/supplemental BCBS is neglible for most drugs to date.

Any thoughts? We hope to avoid the pump - understand that Medicare does not cover. Hope also to avoid injections. Guess we're just looking for less expensive pill forms.

Post-surgical notes for other drugs:

I will say that the other post-surgical pills were rather inexpensive. A grand total of $30 for:

-pills to reduce bladder spasms

-pills for pain (generic Vicodin)

-antibiotics

We bought OTC Gas-X and an Equate vegetable laxative. Those have worked well. Husb. just had first bowel movement this morning and all went well with no pain. Very exciting. So, that took 3 days to happen post-surgery.

Tim G

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 2398

Posted 8/5/2006 12:47 PM (GMT -7)

The ED drugs are pricey. I occasionally needed a little help before prostate cancer surgery and found Viagra unacceptable due to headaches and a shorter drug duration window. I found Cialis to be completely satisfactory without headaches and a much longer time window. This class of drugs, PDE5, may get cheaper when the patent has expired and generics are available. For example, Claritin, a non-drowsy med for allergies, used to cost about a buck a tablet. Now you can buy 300 tabs at Costco for $10. Go figure

Tim

Age 57 PSA 2.5 Gleason 5 Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy 6/21/06 Cancer confined to prostate

spinbiscuit

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 818

Posted 8/5/2006 12:52 PM (GMT -7)

Hi GreenAcres,

My urologist gave me about 15-20 samples most of which were Viagra, but I guess there was at least a 4 month supply considering the regiment he perscribed. Don't be affraid to ask I'm sure if your doctor has them he/she will gladly give them to you.

Glen

GreenAcres

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 474

Posted 8/5/2006 1:23 PM (GMT -7)

Good point, Tim - the timing is wrong if you want to do things cheaply in that area!

Thanks, Glen. We'll be giving that route a try, for sure. At least with Cialis, it has been prescribed only twice weekly. With Viagra, the doc wanted it taken once a day. I understand they're both the same price (along with Levitra).

We'll be doing followups with the local urologist, so we'll hit him up, too. (On the other hand, he's the one who wrote a scrip for the single $18 antibiotic pill after the biopsy!) Oh, yes, life is good.

M. Kat

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 715

Posted 9/7/2006 5:50 PM (GMT -7)

Has anyone tried appealing to their insurance company and won? if the Cialis works and Jeff feels fine taking it, we'll pay the money. but it seems that health insurance should consider it to be medically necessary after surgery.

spinbiscuit

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 818

Posted 9/7/2006 6:45 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Kat,

First thing is ask you Urologist for samples, and after that maybe one of the Canadian Phamacies. My doctor gave me about 3+ months of samples so I have yet to start the search, but soon I'll have to begin looking. If I come up with anything I'll post it asap.

Glen

LovingWife

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2006

Posts : 32

Posted 9/7/2006 7:05 PM (GMT -7)

My husband's urologist gave us several samples of Viagra. When we talked to the urology nurse about not having much results we were told it was still "very early" but she gave us samples of the others (Cialis and Levitra) to try - and also a couple more of the Viagra to try too. Then, we're supposed to let them know which of the three we liked the best and they'd write the Rx for which one we wanted.

Since none have given the desired results yet, we did purchase the pump. (Also very expensive and not covered by our insurance.) You would think the insurance companies would see these as medically necessary but no such luck.

My father has been using Canadian Pharmacies most of his prescription needs for a couple years now and has been very happy with the money he's saved. I haven't been brave enough to venture that direction yet, but may decide to do so with this ridiculous cost.

I hope your husband does well with his recovery.

Take care,

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