EpiPen price is crazy, anyone know of an alternative?

[Jnclr89]

I was about to pay for EpiPen but found out it's $376 for 2, and $3 less for a generic. Major reaction to bee/wasp stings. There has to be a better alternative. Anyone here have experience with this. Who can afford this? It expires just after a year! Much appreciated.

[SheilaT]

1. I did a quick online search, mainly because

I could not believe an EpiPen would be that expensive, and it looks like there may be coupons available. Is there any chance your insurance covers at least part of the cost?

Oh, and apparently they've suddenly gotten a whole lot more expensive.

My older sister recently had to pay $258.00 for four pills, an antidote to Coumadin, the blood thinner, because her blood was way too thin. She was appalled, and although she can afford it, she raged at the fact that there are those out there who would not have the money.

[undergroundpanther]

3. that is crazy wrong

An epi pen is a life saving medication. Those fucking drug companies have no business
Charging 300,00 for that those greedy evil pieces of shit.

[Jnclr89]

4. That was my thought too. I was sooo shocked at the price.

I found out that was my insurance price. So they have to pay little to nothing for my coverage of the drug. It's like I have no insurance. WTF am I paying for?

I don't know whether to risk the fact I might get stung by a wasp and just call an ambulance, which is very expensive. Or pay the $376. I could see paying $360.00 for an immediate life saving drug, but at that price it expires at just over a year!

I hope someone out there has experience with this that can help.

Thanks so much.

[safeinOhio]

2. Look into injectable Benadryl.

Safer, cheaper and has kept me out of the hospital for many years. You don't have go to the EM like EpiPens..

Have an older friend in her 70s that had major reactions to bee/wasp. Asked and got injectable Benadryl, got stung by hornet and it was first time she has been stung and didn't have to go to EM.

[Jnclr89]

5. I was looking into this

Where can I buy it? Does it come with a syrange and needle? Can a person with no experience inject it?

[safeinOhio]

10. Need a script from Doctor.

Box of 24 vials and use insulin syringes.

[Warpy]

7. Antihistamines DO NOT TREAT LIFE THREATENING ANAPHYLAXIS

When someone's lips are tingling and their throat is closing up, there is simply no substitute for emergency epinephrine, given as quickly as possible. Delaying it or trying to sub antihistamines will KILL PEOPLE.

Antihistamines are great if you're breaking out in hives all over. If your throat is closing up, use the Epi Pen or one of the other brands.

[Jnclr89]

8. That was the experience, tingling all over body and throat closing

The problem is I can't afford it. It's my rent payment plus much more. I'm just not sure what to do. This makes me feel really sick. I just thought someone might have had a similar experience and could help me find an affordable solution. Thanks

[safeinOhio]

9. You have use it right away

No waiting around thinking about.

[Jnclr89]

11. I looked into a bit after your post

Do you have anymore information on it? I found conflicting articles so I'm not sure what it's about. It say's it takes a medical professional to use it. Do you know if it's legal for a regular person to use it and inject it? It sounds like a good round about way alternative to the Epipen, I'm just wondering how hard it is to get and keep if I need to inject it in an emergency. Thanks for the help.

[safeinOhio]

13. Talk to your doctor

Need a script for it and insulin needles. You can inject it in your arm, stomach or as I do in my hip. You will need a professional to show you how.
I inject .25 ml and if no improvement in a half hour I repeat. I get hives so bad I look like an alligator. My face and arms swell up and itch.

[Warpy]

19. If you have a known anaphylactic reaction to an environmental substance

you will need epinephirine as your best hope of living long enough to get to an ER.

There are different brand names for auto injectors. Maybe one of them would be cheaper, although I imagine all the generics are now controlled by hedge fund kiddies who have us by the short hairs.

[Warpy]

6. It's ridiculous

but unless you want to go drug shopping north in Canada or south to Mexico, it's your money or your life, sucka.

The only alternative is a vial of epinephrine and a syringe, and you're not going to be able to manage those when you can't breathe. Or you can hope you're still alive when the EMTs arrive.

Greedheads have invaded the generics industry. Shkreli was only the tip of a large and dangerous iceberg and I don't see Republicans and conservative Democrats doing anything about it until they start dying because they can't afford things.

[COLGATE4]

12. Are you sure it's $376 for 2? I went to Goodrx.com and Epipens

seem to be selling for around $633 for a package of 2. They do offer coupons but don't tell you how much the 'discount' is.

[Jnclr89]

14. Yeah, the local pharmacist price was $376 for 2

I just might have to bite the bullet and do it. It sounds like it's my only alternative unless I want to by a vile and shoot it myself, but I don't feel comfortable doing that. I need it because I don't know when a bee/wasp will sting. I'm not willing to gamble with my life. Just wish these prices were more realistic, I sooo shocked they are so high.

[alfie]

15. I would get my MD to prescribe epinephrine and a syringe

His office medical assistant or nurse can teach you how to give yourself the shot. An insulin needle is very small. You can practice using some normal saline, drawing up the right amount, injecting it, etc. You can easily carry the vial and syringe in a purse or pocket as easily as you would an Epipen.

[Silent3]

16. Sadly, you'd probably get more of a hassle from airport security or cops, however...

...if you're found carrying a needle and a vial instead of something pre-packaged like an EpiPen.

[alfie]

17. I would think not, think of the folks traveling with...

their insulin and syringes. The epinephrine would have a sealed top and should have a pharmacy label.

[Warpy]

20. You need to be able to practice

with a saline vial and extra syringe, otherwise you are not going to be able to do anything with it when you're in a blind panic because you can't breathe. But yes, it can be done. Just make sure the doc knows enough to give you saline to practice on.

[Silent3]

18. This got me thinking about how long EpiPens last...

...since they are typically carried as a precaution, hoping you won't have to use them. Use them or not, however, and they're still supposed to be replaced every 18 months, meaning it costs about $21/month at the price you quote to stay safe and play by the rules doing so.

I don't know if you can buy just one EpiPen at a time, but if the odds of using even one are low, and since you're supposed replace them so often, it might be cheaper to buy them one at a time since the typical end result is that the pen is thrown away unused.

If you happen to only have an expired pen around because it was too expensive for you to replace, at least you can take some comfort from what this article says, which still recommends not using an expired pen, but that at least an expired pen is better than no pen at all:

https://www.verywell.com/expired-epipen-82701

[Sgent]

21. Epi vial or Ana-Kit

The ana-kit is the old style kit with a prefilled syringe, and is probably much cheaper.

The vial is what a doctor would use, but you need to carry separate syringes and have knowledge on how to draw them up while being in shock.

[2theleft]

22. I just saw this on the epipen website:

Worth taking a look at. I was just looking at site a few minutes ago based on a facebook post about the costs of epipens.

Here are the updated savings card offers for epinephrine auto-injectors, as well as other ideas to try to save money on drug costs this year. Your final co-pay, if any, may vary depending on your insurance plan and the deductibles for your family.

EpiPen 2-Pak® – Mylan Specialty said its My EpiPen Savings Card ™ will extend through Dec. 31, 2016. The card can be used to reduce out-of-pocket expenses up to a maximum of $100 per EpiPen 2-Pak® carton. The card remains valid for up to three two-pack cartons per prescription, and may be used as many times as needed. The card is available at epipen.com/copay.


Generic Epinephrine Auto-Injector – Lineage Therapeutics Inc.’s “$0 Co-Pay Savings Card” can reduce the amount of your out-of-pocket expense up to $100 per generic epinephrine auto-injector two-pack. Each savings card can be used for up to three two-packs per prescription. Visit https://webrebate.trialcard.co...n/EpinephrinePortal/ for details and savings card download. Note: Although this savings card does not expire, you must print out a new savings card for each prescription. Every time you access the webpage, the code on the savings card automatically changes. Each unique savings card is valid for just one use.