Femara genaric?

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Katz77
Katz77 Member Posts: 598
in Breast Cancer #1
I was on femara for almost a yr. I had noncancer issue, so went to cancer center to see the NP foe advice. We discussed my exceptly painful joints in my hands. She put me on Aromasin. Said its the same, but dose'nt hurt the joints like femara.
Made me nervous switching, cause I have a clear pet scan. I had stage 3c er+ her+ with 18/20 lymph nodes positive. So after 2months asked her to switch me back to femara. Was going to talk with my MO on the 23rd, but went to fill armosin and insurance not really paying for it. Wanted 95.00. There is a genenaric now, so figured thats why. Well discovered femara has a genaric now also. Cost 15.00.
My question. Is a genaric form just as good? I've been told with past meds, its a lesser product. Not as pure as the original. Any thoughts on this?

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  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
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    My understanding
    My understanding is that there is a generic form of Femara coming out in June. I have my Femara until the middle of August so guess I'll find out then when I call in for a refill rather I get Femara or a generic form then. (VA sends me 3 months worth at a time).

    Susan
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
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    Arimidex has a generic now,
    Arimidex has a generic now, but I thought that femara's generic would not be available until after June 2011?? When the generic is available in the U.S., I would ask my doctor, but I am pretty sure it would be fine. My oncologist told me to buy the generic arimidex.

    You can get generic femara from Canada and other countries now, but make sure that you are very, very careful if you do this. Some Canadian pharmacies are very legitimate, some not. Do your homework, if you go that route.
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #4
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    I just checked my drug
    I just checked my drug insurance website and it does list a generic as being available for Femara. I will have to call my onc and see if it is okay to take the generic. Femara costs me $149 with my insurance and the generic would cost $89 at my local pharmacy. If I ordered the generic by mail through my insurance it would cost me $10.

    Have to see what my onc says.

    Hugs

    Donna
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #5
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    BlownAway60 said:

    I just checked my drug
    I just checked my drug insurance website and it does list a generic as being available for Femara. I will have to call my onc and see if it is okay to take the generic. Femara costs me $149 with my insurance and the generic would cost $89 at my local pharmacy. If I ordered the generic by mail through my insurance it would cost me $10.

    Have to see what my onc says.

    Hugs

    Donna

    Just got a refill last week
    and there was a big note attached and flagged that Femara was now a generic - same formula but a different color and different markings. Still only $10.
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #6
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    skipper54 said:

    Just got a refill last week
    and there was a big note attached and flagged that Femara was now a generic - same formula but a different color and different markings. Still only $10.

    Yes...
    Got my generic femara today. Little bigger and pink. How appropriate. Lol Hope it is the same as the little yellow femara. Compound wise. I see onco on the 23rd. Thanks for replies. Oh, my co-pay is 15. Better than the 25.00 before. I just want what I had before. Think it kept the cancer from returning. That and keeping my port. Lol. Clear pet, kind of. Little light glow on a thyroid node. Surgeon wants a fine needle done. Soooo, will make him happy. Hope everyones good, health and weather wise. Hugs, Katz
  • katznc
    katznc Member Posts: 70
    #7
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    femara generic
    I lost my insurance about 5 months into Femara. It cost $695.00 (yes that is per month)without insurance so I had to apply for aid from the pharm company. My onc does not like generic unless that is your only option. But opinions differ among doctors. It usually is more is the dose absolute rather than pure. Some things like thyroid meds a little dose difference can make a big difference. I am not sure that would be the case with the Femara. I would think it might have to do with who is making the generic and where it is coming from? Has anyone checked into that?
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #8
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    katznc said:

    femara generic
    I lost my insurance about 5 months into Femara. It cost $695.00 (yes that is per month)without insurance so I had to apply for aid from the pharm company. My onc does not like generic unless that is your only option. But opinions differ among doctors. It usually is more is the dose absolute rather than pure. Some things like thyroid meds a little dose difference can make a big difference. I am not sure that would be the case with the Femara. I would think it might have to do with who is making the generic and where it is coming from? Has anyone checked into that?

    Hi. I work in a pharmacy as
    Hi. I work in a pharmacy as a technician. The pharmacists I work with feel confident that the generic is safe and just as effective. I'm always glad to see these great medications go generic as I've seen uninsured people leave the pharmacy without meds due to cost. It is still expensive for the uninsured, but more attainable. A company called Mylan is making the generic that we stock.
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #9
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    BlownAway60 said:

    I just checked my drug
    I just checked my drug insurance website and it does list a generic as being available for Femara. I will have to call my onc and see if it is okay to take the generic. Femara costs me $149 with my insurance and the generic would cost $89 at my local pharmacy. If I ordered the generic by mail through my insurance it would cost me $10.

    Have to see what my onc says.

    Hugs

    Donna

    Heard from my onc today and
    Heard from my onc today and she said that the generic was okay to take. I will be switching next refill.

    Hugs

    Donna

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