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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 18, 2001, at 19:11:20
qHS = once at bedtime; qAM = in the morning; qD = once daily; BID = twice daily
Agent /Target Dose/Typical Regimen/Yearly Cost
Amitriptyline /150 mg /150 mg qHS /$66
Imipramine /150 mg /3 x 50 mg qHS /$230
Desipramine /150 mg /2 x 75 mg qHS /$66
Nortriptyline /50-100 mg /2 x 50 mg qHS /$124Fluoxetine /20 mg /20 mg qAM /$884
Paroxetine /20 mg /1 x 20 mg qD /$790
Citalopram /20-40 mg /1 x 40 mg qD /$711
Sertraline /50-100 mg /1 x 100 mg qD /$783Nefazodone /300-400 mg /150 mg BID /$802
Bupropion SR /150-450 mg /150 mg BID /$992
Venlafaxine /75-375 mg /75 mg BID /$890
Mirtazapine /15-30 mg /15 mg qHS /$793From Oregon State University College of Pharmacy Board Newsletter
Volume 2, No. 3, Summer 2000
http://pharmacy.orst.edu/dur/news/2_3/2_3.htm
Posted by Alii on April 18, 2001, at 20:43:47
In reply to Antidepressant affordability, posted by SalArmy4me on April 18, 2001, at 19:11:20
Ouch! The brain fog of my current med. cocktail has kept me from really grasping those numbers until your handy chart from OSU. Very helpful for those of us on the uninsured side of things. Thank you.
--Alii
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 18, 2001, at 22:48:01
In reply to Re: Antidepressant affordability, posted by Alii on April 18, 2001, at 20:43:47
If you look at the full chart on the link I posted, you will find that if you have the doctor prescribe larger denominations of medications (40's instead of 20's), you can save money dramatically {Paroxetine becomes $430 rather than $790}.
> Ouch! The brain fog of my current med. cocktail has kept me from really grasping those numbers until your handy chart from OSU. Very helpful for those of us on the uninsured side of things. Thank you.
> --Alii
Posted by jimmygold70 on April 19, 2001, at 9:15:01
In reply to Antidepressant affordability, posted by SalArmy4me on April 18, 2001, at 19:11:20
mianserin is a very affordable substitute for Remeron.
> qHS = once at bedtime; qAM = in the morning; qD = once daily; BID = twice daily
>
> Agent /Target Dose/Typical Regimen/Yearly Cost
>
> Amitriptyline /150 mg /150 mg qHS /$66
> Imipramine /150 mg /3 x 50 mg qHS /$230
> Desipramine /150 mg /2 x 75 mg qHS /$66
> Nortriptyline /50-100 mg /2 x 50 mg qHS /$124
>
> Fluoxetine /20 mg /20 mg qAM /$884
> Paroxetine /20 mg /1 x 20 mg qD /$790
> Citalopram /20-40 mg /1 x 40 mg qD /$711
> Sertraline /50-100 mg /1 x 100 mg qD /$783
>
> Nefazodone /300-400 mg /150 mg BID /$802
> Bupropion SR /150-450 mg /150 mg BID /$992
> Venlafaxine /75-375 mg /75 mg BID /$890
> Mirtazapine /15-30 mg /15 mg qHS /$793
>
> From Oregon State University College of Pharmacy Board Newsletter
> Volume 2, No. 3, Summer 2000
> http://pharmacy.orst.edu/dur/news/2_3/2_3.htm
Posted by Jennifer1 on April 20, 2001, at 20:06:49
In reply to Re: Antidepressant affordability, posted by jimmygold70 on April 19, 2001, at 9:15:01
Does anyone know if prescription plans cover AD's. I just started Wellbutrin, my doctor gave me three weeks worth so I haven't paid for them yet.
Thanks!
> mianserin is a very affordable substitute for Remeron.
>
>
> > qHS = once at bedtime; qAM = in the morning; qD = once daily; BID = twice daily
> >
> > Agent /Target Dose/Typical Regimen/Yearly Cost
> >
> > Amitriptyline /150 mg /150 mg qHS /$66
> > Imipramine /150 mg /3 x 50 mg qHS /$230
> > Desipramine /150 mg /2 x 75 mg qHS /$66
> > Nortriptyline /50-100 mg /2 x 50 mg qHS /$124
> >
> > Fluoxetine /20 mg /20 mg qAM /$884
> > Paroxetine /20 mg /1 x 20 mg qD /$790
> > Citalopram /20-40 mg /1 x 40 mg qD /$711
> > Sertraline /50-100 mg /1 x 100 mg qD /$783
> >
> > Nefazodone /300-400 mg /150 mg BID /$802
> > Bupropion SR /150-450 mg /150 mg BID /$992
> > Venlafaxine /75-375 mg /75 mg BID /$890
> > Mirtazapine /15-30 mg /15 mg qHS /$793
> >
> > From Oregon State University College of Pharmacy Board Newsletter
> > Volume 2, No. 3, Summer 2000
> > http://pharmacy.orst.edu/dur/news/2_3/2_3.htm
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 20, 2001, at 21:45:31
In reply to Re: Antidepressant affordability-Insurance?, posted by Jennifer1 on April 20, 2001, at 20:06:49
Prescription plans should cover AD's except for the newest ones like Remeron or Celexa.
> Does anyone know if prescription plans cover AD's. I just started Wellbutrin, my doctor gave me three weeks worth so I haven't paid for them yet.
>
> Thanks!
>
> > mianserin is a very affordable substitute for Remeron.
> >
> >
> > > qHS = once at bedtime; qAM = in the morning; qD = once daily; BID = twice daily
> > >
> > > Agent /Target Dose/Typical Regimen/Yearly Cost
> > >
> > > Amitriptyline /150 mg /150 mg qHS /$66
> > > Imipramine /150 mg /3 x 50 mg qHS /$230
> > > Desipramine /150 mg /2 x 75 mg qHS /$66
> > > Nortriptyline /50-100 mg /2 x 50 mg qHS /$124
> > >
> > > Fluoxetine /20 mg /20 mg qAM /$884
> > > Paroxetine /20 mg /1 x 20 mg qD /$790
> > > Citalopram /20-40 mg /1 x 40 mg qD /$711
> > > Sertraline /50-100 mg /1 x 100 mg qD /$783
> > >
> > > Nefazodone /300-400 mg /150 mg BID /$802
> > > Bupropion SR /150-450 mg /150 mg BID /$992
> > > Venlafaxine /75-375 mg /75 mg BID /$890
> > > Mirtazapine /15-30 mg /15 mg qHS /$793
> > >
> > > From Oregon State University College of Pharmacy Board Newsletter
> > > Volume 2, No. 3, Summer 2000
> > > http://pharmacy.orst.edu/dur/news/2_3/2_3.htm
Posted by kazoo on April 20, 2001, at 23:38:08
In reply to Antidepressant affordability, posted by SalArmy4me on April 18, 2001, at 19:11:20
Greetz to SalArmy4me:
Re. your recent drug price list: COUGH! COUGH!
===============================================
DOWN ON THE PHARM
If you never see drug company ads in the New England Journal of Medicine,
the answer could lie with a recent editorial that savages the pharmaceutical
industry for putting profits ahead of people.First, the editorial made out the case for the drug companies: That the
free market is conducive to the development of new drugs, that high prices
reflect both the risks and costs of developing new products, and that price
controls or other government intervention would only stifle innovation at
the expense of the public.Not quite, says the New England Journal of Medicine. The top 10 drug
companies make profits of about 30 percent. Last year the pharmaceutical
industry realized an 18.6 percent return on revenues. Commercial banking
was second at 15.8 percent, and other industries ranged from 0.5 to 12.1
percent. In the words of the Journal:"An industry whose profits outstrip not only those of every other industry
in the United States, but often its own research and development costs,
simply cannot be considered very risky."As for the drug companies holding up the banner of free enterprise, the
Journal concludes, "that image is very far from the truth." Much of the
early basic research is funded by the NIH. Only later, usually, when the
research shows promise, do the drug companies become involved. And not only
are its research and development costs tax deductible, but so are its
marketing expenses. During 1993-1996, the drug industry paid tax at only
16.1 percent of revenues compared to 27.3 for other US industries.Oh yes, and once a drug is patented, the company enjoys a
government-guaranteed 17-year monopoly.As to so-called innovation, much of the industry research is dedicated to
coming up with "me-too" products. (Those who have responded well to Prozac
alternatives may feel differently, but you get the picture.)The industry, in the meantime, has been ingenious in finding ways to extend
patents on its bestselling drugs. (Eli Lilly has already accomplished this
with Prozac, and plans to come out with an improved version when its patent
runs out in 2001.)And one last point, drug companies spend much more on marketing than on
research and development.In conclusion, in the words of the Journal:
"The pharmaceutical industry is extraordinarily privileged. It benefits
enormously from publicly funded research, government-granted patents, and
large tax breaks, and it reaps lavish profits. For these reasons, and
because it makes products of vital importance to the public health, it
should be accountable not only to its shareholders, but also to society at
large."And no, Ralph Nader did not write that editorial.
=================================
(a broke) kazoo
Posted by willow on April 21, 2001, at 21:33:20
In reply to Re: ... affordability (The horror! The horror!) » SalArmy4me, posted by kazoo on April 20, 2001, at 23:38:08
Kazoo
My memory isn't what it use to be and I'm trying desperately to recall the name of the book. ( the darkness by conrad black ??? no idea ) A similar storyline was used to make the movie "Apocalyps Now" (excuse the spelling) - Marlon Brando was in it near the end.
Anyway in the book there was a line - The horror! The horror! - which I translated to mean - The whore! The whore! The analogy in the story may be similar to the one in this thread.
Willow Pulp
Posted by kazoo on April 21, 2001, at 23:50:08
In reply to Re: ... affordability (The horror! The horror!), posted by willow on April 21, 2001, at 21:33:20
> Kazoo
>
> My memory isn't what it use to be and I'm trying desperately to recall the name of the book. ( the darkness by conrad black ??? no idea ) A similar storyline was used to make the movie "Apocalyps Now" (excuse the spelling) - Marlon Brando was in it near the end.
>
> Anyway in the book there was a line - The horror! The horror! - which I translated to mean - The whore! The whore! The analogy in the story may be similar to the one in this thread.
>
> Willow Pulp^^^^^^^^^
Then allow me to enlighten you, my dear ... the statement comes from Francis Ford Coppola's dreadfully depressing movie "Apocalypse Now," released in 1979, which he based on a novella by Joseph Conrad, "Heart of Darkness," with an equally dreadfully depressing storyline. Mr. Brando, who depicted the stereo-typical, war-time maniac (Colonel Kurtz), uttered those priceless words at the end of the flick in response to the horror that he incurred upon the people in the area. Quite frankly, I liked it better when Elmer Fudd said them: "The ha-wha, the ha-wha!"(critic) kazoo
Posted by Alii on April 22, 2001, at 3:04:13
In reply to Re: ... affordability (The horror! The horror!) » SalArmy4me, posted by kazoo on April 20, 2001, at 23:38:08
> In conclusion, in the words of the Journal:
> "The pharmaceutical industry is extraordinarily privileged. It benefits enormously from publicly funded research, government-granted patents, and large tax breaks, and it reaps lavish profits. For these reasons, and because it makes products of vital importance to the public health, it should be accountable not only to its shareholders, but also to society at large."
> (a broke) kazooIt's late, I'm tired and reading the above just made me think that not only is the pharmaceutical industry extraordinarily privileged but they have horns and a tail to boot!
I kid only since I'm bitter about spending more on my meds than I do on my rent. I can't afford either.
What I truly can't afford is to let this disease do me in so until I come up with a better solution (I couldn't think my way out of a paper bag with this brain fog I get on Wellbutrin let alone come up with a snappy solution) I remain a slave to this merry go round of "maybe this drug will work". Sigh.
--Alii
(big ditto on the broke)
Posted by willow on April 22, 2001, at 18:35:48
In reply to The horror? We're talkin' pitchforks! » kazoo, posted by Alii on April 22, 2001, at 3:04:13
Did you have the brain fog before you took the medication or is it a side-effect of the medication? I had severe problems with concentration, etc. and some ADs made it worse. It was because of the cognitive problem I started having that I started taking Effexor, and it has helped with this issue. Perhaps you could try different types of ADs to find one that works for you.
Willow
Posted by Alii on April 23, 2001, at 2:59:10
In reply to Alli ..., posted by willow on April 22, 2001, at 18:35:48
> Did you have the brain fog before you took the medication or is it a side-effect of the medication?
> WillowAs much of a space cadet as I feel like a lot of the time I KNOW this brain fog is from the Wellbutrin. I have not felt this mentally dulled by any other med and I've gone through about ten or so over the past several years. As far as switching I am only stabilizing after crashing hard this past January so I'm not keen on changing the cocktail just yet. The very fact that I am posting here shows me that I am better than I have been in a long time.
SalArmy's post smashed through that fog to really give me a clear idea of how much this disease is costing me financially. I'm already painfully aware of the personal and emotional costs.
--Alii
This is the end of the thread.
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