Cost of Forteo?? - Osteoporosis Message Board

ThinBones · 10-30-2004, 08:54 AM

I am in the midst of having bloodwork, etc. and have next appt. with endo. in about a week. I am pretty sure she is going to start me on Forteo as I have had no luck with oral meds due to IBS, etc. My question is, how much is this medication? I have heard it is very expensive. My insurance does not cover my osteo as it was pre-existing.... Has anyone had great success with Forteo, I am pre-menopausal and it worries me to start this drug so early as you can only take it for two years and after menopause, my bones will really be at risk... Thanks for your response...

Kaitrin · 11-05-2004, 05:27 AM

From what I have seen, it is about $550.00 per month. I have not taken it - my doctor didn't know what it was when I asked! I will ask about it again next year if the Fosamax doesn't improve my T-scores. I hope the medicine helps you!

Kaitrin · 11-05-2004, 05:30 AM

Oh yeah - maybe you could also try the nasal spray, if you can't take pills - it's called Calcitonin. I'm not sure how much it costs, but it has to be cheaper than Forteo.

Oldbones · 11-05-2004, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinBones

My question is, how much is this medication? I have heard it is very expensive. My insurance does not cover my osteo as it was pre-existing....

Hi Thinbones.....

I checked my insurance on-line pharmacy website where I order most of medications.....including Forteo. According to their pharmacy, Forteo would cost $470.00 month if I didn't have insurance, plus your needles which run about $27.00 for 100 count.

I remember checking with a local pharmacy when I first started on Forteo and I thought they said it would run around $600 a month. I didn't call any of the pharmacies in the discount stores such as Wal-Mart but if you called, they should give you the monthly cost. One Forteo pen lasts for 28 days. Even if you have some left in the syringe, you have to discard the pen after 28 days.

Hope this helps.

~Oldbones

ThinBones · 11-06-2004, 07:38 AM

Thanks Oldbones, may I ask what on-line pharmacy you use? That seems quite a bit cheaper than getting it at a local pharmacy. Walmat as you said, could be competitive. I return to the MD this Tuesday and I am pretty sure that is what she is going to recommend. I have read a limited amount about the I.V. biphosponates as I can't find too much on this and there seems to be more risk due to side effects. Although very high doses of Forteo does cause cancer in rats and long term studies I guess have not been done, it still seems like the best alternative for me as my spine is -3.6 and I already have back problems. Thanks for your response!!