Sildenafil 50mg for Pulmonary Hypertension

[51togo]

I had Pulmonary Hypertension for several years now. My cardiologist put me on Sildenafil 20 mg x3 daily. Recent test showed the right heart pressure gone up to 41 mm hg. So he put me on higher dose 50mg, but denied by WellCare. As Sildenafil is dual usage so easily rejected but even with Cardiologist statements using for Pulmonary Hypertension, still got denied. CVS goodRx quoted $4000 for 3 months. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[TheWizard]

$4000 seems like a lot...

 

[jim584672]

Pharmacies by me have 50x20mg for $13.xx (with GoodRx). You could check Cost Plus Drugs.

 

[jimbee]

I don't know what's going on with the price you received, but $4000 sounds ridiculously high to me. GoodRx lists pharmacies by me at $17 for 90 tablets of 20 mg sildenafil. I recommend skipping Wellcare and checking with other pharmacy benefit managers.

 

[foxcreek9]

From cost plus drugs

Sildenafil Citrate

Tablet • 20mg • 90 count
$10.40

 

[51togo]

The prescription is for Sildenafil 50mg not 20 mg.
That’s the problem… I wonder if I could ask the cardiologist to change it to 20 mg x2 so I’ll be taking 40 mg instead.

 

[jimbee]

Ok, 90 tablets of 50 mg sildenafil are $23 to $40 via GoodRx through local pharmacies in my area.

 

[51togo]

Ok, that’s good news. I’ll check other pharmacies tomorrow
, thanks!

 

[TheWizard]

Wow, that's incredible.
I need to buy me a pharmacy...

 

[aja8888]

Wow, that's incredible.
I need to buy me a pharmacy...

Make sure it's a CXVS one!

 

[Sunset]

I'm surprised nobody has commented on how hard a situation this can be....

Other's are correct, there are cheaper places.
And a person can do math as well, 2.5 x 20mg = 50mg

 

[Catawba Chuck]

I take 50mg. I get the 20mg from Amazon Pharmacy and take 2.5 tabs. 180 costs me like $62.00 I had the doc write the script that way to match. The 50mg tab is only for ED and not covered by insurance.

 

[Exchme]

The prescription is for Sildenafil 50mg not 20 mg.
That’s the problem… I wonder if I could ask the cardiologist to change it to 20 mg x2 so I’ll be taking 40 mg instead.

The tablets can be split with no problem, so if the best deal per milligram was in 100's, you could split them in half or if it was in 20's, you could take 2 + 1/2, etc.

As others noted, the drug has been generic for a while, so is very cheap.

 

[foxcreek9]

The prescription is for Sildenafil 50mg not 20 mg.
That’s the problem… I wonder if I could ask the cardiologist to change it to 20 mg x2 so I’ll be taking 40 mg instead.

Ok, again Cost Plus Drugs

Sildenafil Citrate

Tablet • 50mg • 90 count
$12.20

Or 100mg and cut them in half

Sildenafil Citrate

Tablet • 100mg • 90 count
$12.20

 

[frayne]

My urologist has me taking 5mg of tadalafil (Cialis) daily for BPH. Insurance doesn't cover it but the pharmacy uses a good RX coupon or something so the cost is about $25 for a month supply. Otherwise the cost I was quoted would be around $250.

 

[pacergal]

So you were taking 60 mg total per day and dr now wants you to take 150mg total?
Has the drs office requested either a formulary exception or prior authorization? Sometimes you have to use the specific forms from the insurance company, plus the correct diagnosis and submit more than once.
This kind of stuff was what drove me crazy when I was working. I spent so much time on the phone with the insurance company trying to figure out how to write the specific wording they needed to authorize. It was ridiculous!

 

[51togo]

Wow, excellent responses.
Yes, @pacergal I’m currently in appeal status after WellCare rejected Sildenafil 50mg for the other use. My cardiologist returned the fax stating my right chamber pressure is at 41 mm hg which should clearly be approved. But denied without explanation. I contact CVS and told them I’ll pay out of pocket thinking just a few hundreds max for 3 months. But surprised with the $4k price. I’ll try cost plus then Costco with Amazon like sone of you suggested. Again appreciate your responses!

 

[RetMD21]

What a scam to make someone jump through hoops for a cheap generic drug. I am glad that folks here had suggestions.

 

[jimbee]

What a scam to make someone jump through hoops for a cheap generic drug. I am glad that folks here had suggestions.

I agree. 51togo, I hope this works out for you, I can't stand seeing people getting ripped off for generics.

 

[Koolau]

Wow, that's incredible.
I need to buy me a pharmacy...

Probably better to buy the stock of the drug company! (CVS is just the "middle man" in all of this.)

 

[NewEnglander]

I got mine a few years ago from Healthwarehouse.com, not as cheap as some of the others suggested but it might be worth a look.

 

[RetMD21]

Probably better to buy the stock of the drug company! (CVS is just the "middle man" in all of this.)

but based on the $12.20 that Foxcreek9 got from Cost Plus the manufacturer is only getting $7.20. I think it is the pharmacy benefit managers are the ones making the big bucks but the pharmacies do ok as well.

 

[Buckeye]

Wow, excellent responses.
Yes, @pacergal I’m currently in appeal status after WellCare rejected Sildenafil 50mg for the other use. My cardiologist returned the fax stating my right chamber pressure is at 41 mm hg which should clearly be approved. But denied without explanation. I contact CVS and told them I’ll pay out of pocket thinking just a few hundreds max for 3 months. But surprised with the $4k price. I’ll try cost plus then Costco with Amazon like sone of you suggested. Again appreciate your responses!

Be sure to use GoodRx code at Costco. I get a prescription every once in awhile for us or the cat and I always use GoodRx. The GoodRx price always beats insurance. Just go to the GoodRx website or download the app and put your med into the search box. There is a paid tier but I don't bother with that. It might make sense for you if you have an ongoing need.

 

[single2019]

Be sure to use GoodRx code at Costco. I get a prescription every once in awhile for us or the cat and I always use GoodRx. The GoodRx price always beats insurance. Just go to the GoodRx website or download the app and put your med into the search box. There is a paid tier but I don't bother with that. It might make sense for you if you have an ongoing need.

+1. GoodRx (free version) website also shows the drug prices in various pharmacies in your zip code.
CVS typically is most expensive.
My Ezetimibe (Lipid reduction) is significantly cheaper using GoodRx compared to my Part D insurance.

 

[51togo]

Just got my Sildenafil 50 mg from Costco. $78 for 3 months /270 pills.
Easy process, they contacted CVS and had the prescription transferred. Had my tires rotated while I waited and cheapest lunch $1.59 hot dog with a drink. Thank you!