Re: Timolol vs Istalol

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Re: Timolol vs Istalol

Salmon Egg	22 Jun 2006 00:45
On 6/21/06 1:16 PM, in article 0l6j92l5varlhinpcpmn5tqpcasa9aurot@4ax.com, > When my husband phoned his physician to discuss alternatives the > doctor was shocked at the cost: retail cost per tablet is about $65. I am shocked just reading about it! Bill -- Ferme le Bush

Wooly

21 Jun 2006 20:16

>why shouldn't a physician select drugs on the basis of cost, especially at
>the behest of the patient?

Most physicians don't know how expensive (or cheap) any certain drug
may be. One of my husband's drugs is a good example:

DH has chronic migraine. Last year his pain management doc gave me an
Rx for 50mg Imitrex, twice daily. Copay $30

In January our plan change to a 30% copay for drugs with a resultant
copay of about $1200 per month.

When my husband phoned his physician to discuss alternatives the
doctor was shocked at the cost: retail cost per tablet is about $65.

+++++++++++++

Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET.
This practice has cut my spam by more than 95%.
Of course, I did have to abandon a perfectly good email account...

Salmon Egg

21 Jun 2006 18:15

On 6/21/06 9:40 AM, in article
1150908024.122197.247730@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com, "Dr Judy"
<mpace99@rogers.com> wrote:

> This is a question only your doctor, who knows your history and eyes
> and the reason for switching, can answer. Call his office and explain
> the problem.
>
> If essential to switch, there may be a provision in your plan for that
> drug if your doctor provides a compelling reason.

I hear many stories claiming this, but is it really true? When I get an eye
examination, the ophthalmologist has much to do without much time for
contemplating my history. If some fact sticks out, I am sure that he would
pick up on it. Otherwise, my guess is that the practice of medicine truly is
"practice". If a drug gives trouble, it is not prescribed again. If it is
not effective, a similar one is selected. In the absence of a good reason,
why shouldn't a physician select drugs on the basis of cost, especially at
the behest of the patient?

My point is that unless there is something obviously different in the safety
between two drugs having the same effect, there must be something that
triggers a physician to prefer one over another. That can be from experience
or because of a recent visit by a detail man (woman). What is it?

Bill
-- Ferme le Bush

Dr Judy

21 Jun 2006 16:40

> My eye doc has recommended that I swith from Timolol to Istalol for my
> glaucoma.
> Problem is that in my drug plan Timolol costs me $3 foe 90 day supply,
> and Istalol is $76!!! It's not in their "preferred list".
> Is it worth it? My pressure seems to be under control, consistently
> about 18 in both eyes.

This is a question only your doctor, who knows your history and eyes
and the reason for switching, can answer. Call his office and explain
the problem.

If essential to switch, there may be a provision in your plan for that
drug if your doctor provides a compelling reason.

Dr Judy

Jim T.	21 Jun 2006 14:15
My eye doc has recommended that I swith from Timolol to Istalol for my glaucoma. Problem is that in my drug plan Timolol costs me $3 foe 90 day supply, and Istalol is $76!!! It's not in their "preferred list". Is it worth it? My pressure seems to be under control, consistently about 18 in both eyes.

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