dee54

My orthopedist has prescribed Forteo, but after fighting with the insurance co. and them declining and then finally saying they would pay for it, I would still owe my copay of $120 per month for 18 months. Granted 120x18mos. is nothing compared to getting new bone, but I am more afraid of the black box warning that has been placed on this medication.

I don't think a lot of people are aware of the seriousness of this warning. It is the highest warning that the government (FDA) can place on a medication. A lot of doctors are reluctant to prescribe it to their patients for this very reason. Also, Eli Lilly, the company that makes Forteo, has been banned from advertising this drug!!! Is that scary or what?

I have called several doctors and many of them have never heard of this medication. When I told my sister it had a black box warning, she said you are not taking this medication. An advocacy group, Public Citizen, did not want FDA to approve this drug but it was approved anyway. This medicine is on their list of "Do Not Use" drugs.

I am supposed to attend a class on 10/17 to learn how to give myself these injections. I will be calling my dr. in the morning and telling him that because of the black box warning and not enough clinical data done on this drug, I will just wait a year or two to see more results. (Eli Lilly is actually doing a 10 year research of patients on this drug.)

I am currently taking Fosamax with no problems (yet) and I realize Forteo is supposed to be the "miracle" bone growth drug, but I'm just too terrified of the warning. When you get the injections each month from your pharmacy, the pharmacist is supposed to tell you about this black box warning.

Anyone else besides me being a chicken? I think I rather be a chicken than a guinea pig.