I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Jonndad on December 25, 2012, 04:36:31 PM

Title: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: Jonndad on December 25, 2012, 04:36:31 PM
Hope everyone is enjoying the Holidays.  I am paying $55.00 per month for 90 Renvela.   Is that a good price or can I get it cheaper?  Thanks for any advice.  John
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: noahvale on December 25, 2012, 04:59:19 PM
*
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: frankswife on December 25, 2012, 04:59:46 PM
Frank's neph just put him on this drug. It's in the highest tier of our copays- $40 and it's killing us. But he needs it, his potassium was like 8.4. We pay $10 for pretty much everything else. The other binders available are equally expensive. I guess it's because theres no generic yet. The pharmacist says Renvela is not  that new though, it's been out since 1998 so I would have thought there'd be a generic by now!
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: Ricksters on December 25, 2012, 05:31:57 PM
I guess I am lucky.  I get my Renvela through the Davita Pharmacy and my co pay is $12.00 for a 90 day supply.  I am on Medicare Part D.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: Jonndad on December 25, 2012, 06:07:04 PM
I'm on Kaiser through Medicare and it is $55.00 for a month's supply.  I tried searching Canadian pharmacies but it seems they are a lot more expensive!
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: jeannea on December 26, 2012, 09:57:34 AM
On my Part D I paid $125 for a month of Renvela. Now I have my transplant and I pay more for Valcyte.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: cattlekid on December 26, 2012, 10:14:00 AM
For those who are on private insurance for their meds or do not have prescription insurance, try the copay card at www.renvalue.com

Renvela is really expensive for me because I have to pay 25% of brand name drugs with my stinky prescription insurance.  With the card, the copay goes down to $5. 

Another option might be to see if you can go on generic PhosLo (calcium acetate).  I take one generic PhosLo and two Renvela with each meal and it seems to do the trick.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: sullidog on December 26, 2012, 04:47:08 PM
can't you get the cupon that brings it to $5?
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: jeannea on December 26, 2012, 07:09:30 PM
The coupon does not work if you use Medicare Part D for your prescription plan. It only works with private insurance or no insurance.

I used generic PhosLo for a while. I loved it but my body didn't. PhosLo's main ingredient is calcium and my calcium level got too high. I had to switch to Renvela.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: Sydnee on December 26, 2012, 07:27:50 PM
Check with your social worker there my be a state program to help cover your co-payments for dialysis drugs. There is in Wyoming. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: Riki on December 26, 2012, 07:45:01 PM
I'm on Renegel, but I think it's the same thing... we used to have private insurance, and we had to pay 20% of the cost.. one bottle, which is supposed to be a 60 day supply, cost us $80.. that's a $400 bottle of pills that only last 2 months.. we lost our insurance, cuz Mom's boss said it was costing her too much, so obviously, I haven't had a new bottle in a while.. I've just been taking calcium

Anyone who thinks that medication in Canada is cheap or free really doesn't know what they're talking about..
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: frankswife on December 27, 2012, 07:57:58 AM
cattlekid, thats a really great coupon but it looks like it expires on the 31st, hopefully they'll have another one for the new year.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: amanda100wilson on December 27, 2012, 08:04:21 AM
Franks wife, I take it that you mean Frank's phosphorous is high, not his potassium?
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: frankswife on December 27, 2012, 10:42:27 AM
Yes, amanda, I saw I had done that after i had posted but I figured you wise ones would know what I meant! ;D
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: kit78 on December 27, 2012, 11:40:51 AM
When I could not afford to buy Renvela my Doctor told me to take TUMS.  They bloated me too much though.  Ask your Doc about that.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: jeannea on December 28, 2012, 11:24:13 AM
Tums are also made of calcium and work like PhosLo. Make sure you know your calcium level before using Tums.
Title: Re: Renvela-Phosphorous binder
Post by: sullidog on December 28, 2012, 06:11:02 PM
I can't use calcium based binders either, along with zimplar my cal went to the roof.