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Price of Tirosint
I know we have some other members out there, who are on Tirosint. I'm just wondering if everyone else is experiencing continuous price increases, as I am or if my pharmacy is taking me for a ride.
I'd been paying $85 and change (all out of pocket) for my 3 month supply (actually 84 gelcaps) for quite a while (3-4 yrs, at least), but back in the fall, the price doubled, as I think most thyroid meds did, or at least they jumped up. I'd thought $85 was "enough", but wasn't horrible, so I didn't complain. Anyway after the price hike, I was up to $175 for my 3 month supply. Pretty spendy, but because it works, I decided to stay with it. When I got my script refilled, again, in Feb, the price was up to $204... then I began "considering" going on a different med, but thought if it stayed at that price, it might still be doable. I just picked up my new refill yesterday and the cost was $245 for my same 84 gelcaps.
Prior to this latest refill my insurance has not covered any of my refills. On this last refill, insurance did pay $70. That means that without insurance a 3 month supply would be $315. That's triple what it started out at ($85). IMO that is excessive for a thyroid medication. I know Akrimax does offer a $10 coupon, that's usable for 18 months, but that surely doesn't keep up with the increases in price. I've sent Akrimax an e-mail, but haven't heard anything back yet.
While I've done very well on Tirosint, I'm seriously debating whether I've done well enough to warrant staying on it or not. I'll be changing insurance next month and the new one won't cover Tirosint at all, unless I jump through hoops to get an exception. I didn't do well on Synthroid, but that might have been the doctor I had, trying to control TSH. I did better on generic levo, but by then I was seeing my endo, who lets my TSH live in the basement. I see my endo the first part of July and I'm sure he'll switch me to whatever I decide on, except, maybe desiccated (I've never asked him about that).
Please feel free to comment, even if you're not taking Tirosint. Just trying to get input/thoughts on the issue.
I'd been paying $85 and change (all out of pocket) for my 3 month supply (actually 84 gelcaps) for quite a while (3-4 yrs, at least), but back in the fall, the price doubled, as I think most thyroid meds did, or at least they jumped up. I'd thought $85 was "enough", but wasn't horrible, so I didn't complain. Anyway after the price hike, I was up to $175 for my 3 month supply. Pretty spendy, but because it works, I decided to stay with it. When I got my script refilled, again, in Feb, the price was up to $204... then I began "considering" going on a different med, but thought if it stayed at that price, it might still be doable. I just picked up my new refill yesterday and the cost was $245 for my same 84 gelcaps.
Prior to this latest refill my insurance has not covered any of my refills. On this last refill, insurance did pay $70. That means that without insurance a 3 month supply would be $315. That's triple what it started out at ($85). IMO that is excessive for a thyroid medication. I know Akrimax does offer a $10 coupon, that's usable for 18 months, but that surely doesn't keep up with the increases in price. I've sent Akrimax an e-mail, but haven't heard anything back yet.
While I've done very well on Tirosint, I'm seriously debating whether I've done well enough to warrant staying on it or not. I'll be changing insurance next month and the new one won't cover Tirosint at all, unless I jump through hoops to get an exception. I didn't do well on Synthroid, but that might have been the doctor I had, trying to control TSH. I did better on generic levo, but by then I was seeing my endo, who lets my TSH live in the basement. I see my endo the first part of July and I'm sure he'll switch me to whatever I decide on, except, maybe desiccated (I've never asked him about that).
Please feel free to comment, even if you're not taking Tirosint. Just trying to get input/thoughts on the issue.
COMMUNITY LEADER
The last time I talked to Akrimax, they had a program for people who qualified (I didn't qualify), to get Tirosint for free. We also had, at least, one member of this forum who was getting it for free, directly from the company. Have you contacted Akrimax to ask them about it? Every time I contacted them, they were very quick about getting back to me, so it's worth a phone call to their 800 number or an e-mail. I'll help you find out, if you'd like me to.
Looking at their website, I see that Akrimax now, also, has a program, through which you can buy directly from the company, through mail order, which may provide additional savings to you. This must be something new, as they didn't have that when I was taking it.
As an alternative to Tirosint, you might want to try Levoxyl... I decided to go off Tirosint in August of last year and go on Levoxyl instead and I've done as well on it as I did on Tirosint.
I'm on Medicare with a supplemental Rx plan, which pays nothing for Levoxyl because it's a brand name and it still only costs me $38.52 for a 90 day supply ($12.84/mo).
Looking at their website, I see that Akrimax now, also, has a program, through which you can buy directly from the company, through mail order, which may provide additional savings to you. This must be something new, as they didn't have that when I was taking it.
As an alternative to Tirosint, you might want to try Levoxyl... I decided to go off Tirosint in August of last year and go on Levoxyl instead and I've done as well on it as I did on Tirosint.
I'm on Medicare with a supplemental Rx plan, which pays nothing for Levoxyl because it's a brand name and it still only costs me $38.52 for a 90 day supply ($12.84/mo).
2 Comments
Please would you be able to provide the info so I might give it a try I am new to this .
Bond84... Here's the web site for Akrimax, which is the manufacturer of Tirosint. They change their programs all the time, so it's best to call and find out what programs they have available now. Their phone number is at the bottom of the web page and I always found them quite good at returning phone calls, explaining programs, etc. I never qualified for any of their programs, but it's certainly worth a call to find out if you do.
http://www.tirosint.com/?gclid=CMOT4rqn9cwCFUokhgodjaEL_Q
The site provides a coupon so you can get scripts filled for $35 if you qualify. Please note that those on Medicare and Medicaid do not qualify...
http://tirosint.com/coupon.php
If you have other questions about Tirosint, please feel free to ask them and I will try to answer them.
Since this is an old thread, it might be best if you start your own, new thread so your questions can get the attention they deserve.
http://www.tirosint.com/?gclid=CMOT4rqn9cwCFUokhgodjaEL_Q
The site provides a coupon so you can get scripts filled for $35 if you qualify. Please note that those on Medicare and Medicaid do not qualify...
http://tirosint.com/coupon.php
If you have other questions about Tirosint, please feel free to ask them and I will try to answer them.
Since this is an old thread, it might be best if you start your own, new thread so your questions can get the attention they deserve.
Correction: Tyrosint is NOT 'given' to the poor. I am poor-er than that and with a TSH of nearly 9, I feel desperate. My price (could I afford it) would be about $170 for a month like anyone else. But for the poor PCP's seem to play musical chairs so no one is concerned about suggesting an alternative.
COMMUNITY LEADER
My cost will soon be about $99.99/month. I'll be going on Medicare in June and my supplement won't pay for it at all. If I stay with my present phamacy, I will be paying around $115; I can change to Walgreen's and get it for $99.99. I still think that's too high.
I did hear back from Akrimax and of course, the excuse for the ever increasing price is because it's made in Switzerland and is manufactured in a dedicated facility, so manufacture is more expensive, plus market, importing and physician and patient support is more. Physician support?? My pcp doesn't know anything about it!!
bedheadblonde - you're right about pharma having us over a barrel with something we have to have to stay alive. My son is type I diabetic, also and he goes through the same thing with his Humalog. The advantage with thyroid meds is that there are less expensive options and if Akrimax keeps increasing their prices, they might as well stop manufacturing Tirosint, because nobody but the very rich and the very poor, to whom they give it for free, will be afford it.
I'm not looking forward to switching, but I can't see spending that much every month.
I did hear back from Akrimax and of course, the excuse for the ever increasing price is because it's made in Switzerland and is manufactured in a dedicated facility, so manufacture is more expensive, plus market, importing and physician and patient support is more. Physician support?? My pcp doesn't know anything about it!!
bedheadblonde - you're right about pharma having us over a barrel with something we have to have to stay alive. My son is type I diabetic, also and he goes through the same thing with his Humalog. The advantage with thyroid meds is that there are less expensive options and if Akrimax keeps increasing their prices, they might as well stop manufacturing Tirosint, because nobody but the very rich and the very poor, to whom they give it for free, will be afford it.
I'm not looking forward to switching, but I can't see spending that much every month.
Correct, I don't think Synthroid has skyrocketed like Tirosint has, but I have seen some people complaining it was more expensive. Perhaps it's in certain regions and areas? Insurance issues and switches? Whatever the case, paying triple the amount you used to for it is outrageous!
I remember back in high school, one of my teachers making a good point regarding my insulin: (I'm a type 1 diabetic.) They can set the price for it however high they want, they know people need it to survive, and they'll pay whatever to have it since it's a necessity. And there's no 'generic' insulins, so if tomorrow Big Pharma decides to price my Humalog at 200 bucks a vial? I can't just not take it. I have to live. Some other ones might be a bit lower cost depending on insurance coverage and what have you, but there's been times throughout my life where we'd be paying only $10 for a vial and then, say, three months down the road, that same exact vial would suddenly be $20. Or $30. Or $60.. And then it would go back down. And go back up. It's enough to tear your hair out! I think maybe Tirosint is doing the same because it's become a bit more popular for those sensitive to the fillers in the tablet forms of levothyroxine-and since there's no generic option, they can set the price to whatever they feel. If you do choose to switch, I hope it works well for you!
I remember back in high school, one of my teachers making a good point regarding my insulin: (I'm a type 1 diabetic.) They can set the price for it however high they want, they know people need it to survive, and they'll pay whatever to have it since it's a necessity. And there's no 'generic' insulins, so if tomorrow Big Pharma decides to price my Humalog at 200 bucks a vial? I can't just not take it. I have to live. Some other ones might be a bit lower cost depending on insurance coverage and what have you, but there's been times throughout my life where we'd be paying only $10 for a vial and then, say, three months down the road, that same exact vial would suddenly be $20. Or $30. Or $60.. And then it would go back down. And go back up. It's enough to tear your hair out! I think maybe Tirosint is doing the same because it's become a bit more popular for those sensitive to the fillers in the tablet forms of levothyroxine-and since there's no generic option, they can set the price to whatever they feel. If you do choose to switch, I hope it works well for you!
Okay that sounded crazy high LOL. $3.75 is still highway robbery! My compounded Armour I had made up cost about $1 a day and I thought that was excessive! I though competition brought prices down. The only competition we have here in Oz is Sigma (makes all the synthetics lol) and Armour. That's it. :)
I too have been on Tirosint and liked it much better than Synthroid as it doesn't have all the fillers that I reacted to. Unfortunately the Tirosint pricing has continued to increase and this month it again went up. After insurance and the $10 discount I am paying $76.67 for 28.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Not a typo, but a calculation error... sorry... I divided the total cost ($315) by 28 days, rather than 84... does make a difference. LOL
$315/84 gelcaps is $3.75/day. I calculated your 200 pills for $5.90 and you pay 0.295¢/day, so I'm paying $3.46/day more than you are. No matter how you slice it, that's excessive.
I'm checking the availability/cost of Levoxyl at my local pharmacies. Street price would be about $80/mo less than I'm paying for Tirosint. With insurance, it will be less than that.
$315/84 gelcaps is $3.75/day. I calculated your 200 pills for $5.90 and you pay 0.295¢/day, so I'm paying $3.46/day more than you are. No matter how you slice it, that's excessive.
I'm checking the availability/cost of Levoxyl at my local pharmacies. Street price would be about $80/mo less than I'm paying for Tirosint. With insurance, it will be less than that.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - quite a difference. Right now, I'm paying $11.25/day for my med.
And Akrimax says they have to raise prices to maintain quality.... seems that profit is what they're trying to maintain.
10,677 tablets would be a lifetime supply for me... lol
And Akrimax says they have to raise prices to maintain quality.... seems that profit is what they're trying to maintain.
10,677 tablets would be a lifetime supply for me... lol
I pay $5.90 for 200 Eutroxsig tablets. $315 would pay for 10, 677 Eutroxsig tablets which is a supply of over 29 YEARS! Nice. :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I talked to Akrimax once, after the price hike and was told that they had to double the price in order to maintain the quality. Tirosint is manufactured in Switzerland, so I'm sure there is added cost to market it, in other countries, including the U.S. I just think it's a bit out of line to have tripled in price in 7 months.
Levoxyl has been back in production for a couple months now and Tirosint is still going up in price. Once they get the cost of a drug up there, it's not likely to come down. IMO - this is another of pharma's hold on us.
I don't think the other brands have gone up nearly as much, but if they have, I'd certainly like to know about.
I did check with my pharmacy about Levoxyl and the pharmacist told me he could get it for less than 1/3 the cost of Tirosint.
Levoxyl has been back in production for a couple months now and Tirosint is still going up in price. Once they get the cost of a drug up there, it's not likely to come down. IMO - this is another of pharma's hold on us.
I don't think the other brands have gone up nearly as much, but if they have, I'd certainly like to know about.
I did check with my pharmacy about Levoxyl and the pharmacist told me he could get it for less than 1/3 the cost of Tirosint.
I've been hearing horror stories that brand name levothyroxine (Tirosint, Synthroid, etc.) has been skyrocketing in price.(I take generic T4 and T3, so I'm not familiar with what the prices of brand names usually run.) Some people noted that they noticed the price hike started to happen slowly after the recall of Levoxyl last year, so they were thinking it had to do with fewer brand name drugs available=price hike. It seems Levoxyl is in production again, but only somewhat recently. Maybe that being available again will help decrease the price of brand names overall? It seems pretty outrageous price-wise.
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