How Much Does Femara Cost?

Femera, the branded version of the generic, letrozole, is a prescription-based tablet designed to block the production of estrogen and used as a way to help treat breast cancer as well.

Taken orally, this aromatase inhibitor suppresses estrogen, helping induce ovulation, essentially increasing the chances of a pregnancy as well as help with other conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and anovulation.

How much does Femara cost?

If your doctor to prescribe Femara, the pharmacy will always fill the generic version, letrozole, unless your doctor specifically states on the prescription to fill as a brand only.  For this reason, we will focus on both the costs of the generic and the branded version for comparison purposes.

As for health insurance, your health insurance company will more than likely only cover the generic version since the branded version, as you can see in the table above, is often 30 times more than that of the generic.  As long as you’re prescribed the generic version, letrozole, then there’s a good chance your insurance carrier, including Medicare, will cover it, only leaving you responsible for your co-pay and meeting your deductible.  Reported co-pay costs for insured patients seemed to be within the $0 to $30 range, all depending on your policy.

How to save on Femara

The Novartis Universal Co-Pay card:  The official manufacturer, Novartis, offers a discounted co-pay card for patients who do qualify, and if you’re prescribed the branded version and cannot afford the costs, then this co-pay card could decrease the costs to as little as $0 per fill, with a maximum savings of $15,000 a year.  This program, as per the fine print, is intended for commercially insured patients only, and to see if you qualify for the card, you can do so by registering on the official website at Kisqali.com.

Patient Assistance Programs:  A variety of assistance programs, including Rx Outreach Medications, the HealthWell Foundation, and Patient Access Network Foundation, all can help you with this medication, even if you have health insurance.  To qualify for most of these programs, they will ask that you meet certain income requirements, have limited or no health insurance and have a prescription/disease diagnosis that they currently cover.  These are just a select few of the many organizations out there that may be able to help pay for your costly medications if you feel you cannot afford it.

Femara overview

Femara is used to treat certain types of breast cancers for women who have stopped menstruating and can also be used for women who already had other cancer treatments as well.  As female hormones occur naturally in the body, this, unfortunately, can increase the growth of some breast cancers.  With Femara, however, it can work by decreasing these hormones in the body.

The dosage amounts do vary from patient to patient, but for most, your doctor will more than likely prescribe 2.5 milligrams once a day.  Always read the medication booklet and always follow your doctor’s orders, never taking more, less or stopping without consulting with your doctor first.

What is Femara?

Femara will work to suppress aromatase, which will help reduce the estrogen levels by prompting the brain and the pituitary gland to increase the amount of the follicle stimulating hormone as this hormone is responsible for stimulating the follicles to form in the ovaries which are essentially released through ovulation, increasing the number and the frequency of the eggs being released.  This increase in eggs can then increase the chances of a successful conception.

Femara side effects

Side effects may include an increased level of cholesterol, hot flashes, increased sweating, night sweats, fatigue, pain in the joints, blurred vision, nausea, headaches and/or a bloating sensation.  This is not a full list of all side effects; for a full list, refer to this FDA documentation.  As always, if you feel any uncomfortable side effects, talk with your doctor immediately.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Cosentyx Cost?

Cosentyx, a prescription used to treat psoriasis and sometimes psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, is only available as a brand as of this publishing, with no generic available at this time.

How much does Cosentyx cost?

As with any prescription, the cost of Cosentyx will depend on your health insurance coverage, the dosage and the pharmacy you choose.  One carton of two Sensorready pens of 150mg/ml can cost close to $4,900 without any health insurance while three cartons of two syringes or Sensorready pens can cost upwards of $14,500 without any health insurance coverage.

Based on the dosage recommendations, patients will require an injection during weeks  0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, followed by one injection every four weeks or month.  At close to $2,500 per injection, the costs during the first year can easily be in the $25,000+ range.

From what it appears online, most health insurance companies will not cover this prescription, including all Medicare plans; however, it doesn’t mean you cannot save money and/or your health insurance provider will not help cover it.  Be sure to follow our cost-saving strategies noted below and call your insurance company as well to know your restriction as to what may be covered.

The annual costs, as per ClaimSecure.com, is said to be $24,675 for the first year and $19,740 for subsequent years.

How to save on Cosentyx

Cosentyx co-pay coupon:  The official manufacturer of the drug, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, offers the Cosentyx Co-Pay Assistance card, a program designed to help commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per fill, with a $16,000 annual cap benefit if your current insurance carrier does not cover the prescription.  As with a lot of co-pay programs such as these often require the patient to have a commercial insurance plan that rejects coverage for the drug in order to qualify.  Other qualifications apply; to find out more, you can follow this official link to register and see if you qualify for up to two years of Cosentyx for free.

Official assistance foundation:  Aside from the co-pay coupon, Novartis also offers the  Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, a patient assistance program which helps you receive your medication at no cost as long as you meet certain income requirements and have no health insurance policy.  To see if you qualify, the foundation does ask you have a valid prescription, a proof of household income and you must have no private or public prescription coverage.  For more information on this foundation and how you can take advantage, you can visit Novartis.com.

Patient assistance programs:  Aside from the typical federal and state assistance programs, there are plenty of non-profit organizations out there that want to help you with specific medications, including Cosentyx.  The PAN Foundation, for instance, offer assistance for this particular drug for patients who meet qualification requirements.  To qualify, for instance, patients will have to have insurance, a valid prescription and must be diagnosed with a specific disease to qualify.

Cosentyx overview

Cosentyx is designed as an injection under the skin and at first, it’s usually injected via a medical professional, where they will show you how it can be done at home.  Always use the injection as prescribed, never taking more, less or stopping without your doctor’s permission.  When done with injections, it’s extremely important they are always disposed of inside of a special sharps container; never throw away in the trash.  To receive one, you can do so by purchasing one online or talking with your local doctor’s office.

The recommended dosage will depend on the patient and reason for injection.  Readily available as a 150 mg/ml solution in either a prefilled syringe or Sensorready pen, the recommended dose for psoriatic arthritis patients, for example, will be administered during weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, then one 150 milligram dosages every four weeks thereafter.

What is Cosentyx?

Cosentyx, a human interleukin-17A (IL-17A) antibody used for treating psoriasis, reduces the symptoms of psoriasis.  Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition, will often present itself as a scaly, red and white patches on the skin due to the body’s immune system sending false signals to the skin cells to grow and multiply faster than they naturally should.  Aside from the colored patches on the skin, those who do suffer from psoriasis can develop psoriatic arthritis, which is the inflammation of the joints.  Cosentyx, essentially, will selectively bind to the IL-17A, which is released by one of the white blood cells, targeting the linings of the skin during an inflammatory response.  When the medication selectively binds, it can then block it from binding to the receptor, which is then responsible for the inflammatory process, contributing to psoriasis in the first place.

Cosentyx side effects

During clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects included throat/nasal passage inflammation, diarrhea, an upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, oral herpes, rashes and/or a runny nose.  If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s so important to talk with a medical professional immediately.  For a full list of side effects, refer to this FDA PDF.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Actemra Cost?

Actemra, a monoclonal antibody, is a prescription-based drug used to help treat cytokine release syndrome, giant cell arteritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How much does Actemra cost?

The cost of Actemra, as with most prescriptions, greatly depend on the dosage, your health insurance plan and the pharmacy you choose.  Without any health insurance coverage, the reported costs found online ranged anywhere from $1,300 for three vials of 4 milliliters of 20mg/ml to as much as $6,300+ for three vials of 20 milliliters of 20 mg/ml without any health insurance coverage.

Refer to our table below for the average costs reported for each dosage…

As with health insurance coverage, the answers seemed to be mixed as some patients note their insurance policy covered the medication while others noted they had trouble with coverage.  GoodRX.com, for instance, claims that only 46 percent of Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans cover this drug, making it a “toss-up.”  The same can be said about private insurance carriers as well, but if you are covered, the average co-pay can range from $95 to $2,300+ for the databases we did source online.

This medical study, for instance, says the annual costs, depending on the dosage, can range from $8,000 to more than $18,400 per year.

How to save on Actemra

Actemra coupon:  The official manufacturer of the drug, Genentech, offers the Genentech Rheumatology Co-Pay Card, a prepaid card which can help you save up to $15,000 to use toward your medication over the next 12 months, but you will still be responsible for the $5 co-pay.  According to the eligibility requirements, the program is only available to commercially insured patients and will expire 12 months once enrolled.  To see if you do qualify, follow this official link, fill out the form and see if you qualify for the card.

Genentech assistance program:  If you do not qualify for the Actemra coupon, don’t fret as you can see if you qualify for the official company’s assistance program.  Designed for those with limited incomes and no health insurance, the program can help pay for all of your prescriptions if you qualify.  To learn more about the Genentech Access Solutions

Patient assistance programs:  Aside from the typical federal and state assistance programs, there are plenty of non-profit organizations out there that want to help you with specific medications, including Actemra.  The PAN Foundation, for instance, offer assistance for this particular drug for patients who meet qualification requirements.  To qualify, for instance, patients will have to have insurance, a valid prescription and must be diagnosed with a specific disease to qualify.

Actemra overview

The Actemra injection, in correlation with other medicines as prescribed by your doctor, will help reduce the signs and symptoms often associated with rheumatoid arthritis and will also help keep the joint damage from worsening in the future.  Depending on your condition and circumstances, your doctor, as specified, may either prescribe it alone or with other medications.

Before you are sent home with your prescription, your doctor or nurse will show you how the injections work and are available in two forms:  either a prefilled syringe or glass container vial.  Placed into one of your veins, the injection can also be injected under your skin, often in the front of the thigh or abdomen, but regardless, if you’re sent home, it’s so important to follow your doctor’s orders specifically, meaning you should not take more, less or stop without consulting with your doctor first.  For any questions, always refer to the medication guide and/or doctor’s office for detailed instructions.

Dosing will greatly vary on the patient and the reason for the injection, with most adults administering one 162 milligram dosage per week or every other week if the patient weighs less than 220 pounds.  Again, depending on your circumstances, your doctor may increase your dosages to see how well you respond to treatment.

Actemra side effects

Side effects can include irritation, redness or pain at the injection site and other less-than-common side effects may include stomach/abdomen pain, a serious allergic reaction, severe dizziness or trouble breathing.  This is not a full list of the side effects; for a list, refer to this FDA list.  As always, if you experience any side effects you are not comfortable with, talk with your doctor immediately.

What is Actemra?

According to the company, Actemra was the first RA treatment which directly blocked the action of the protein in your body known as interleukin-6, a protein that’s believed to play a part in rheumatoid arthritis.  With Actemra, it will block these proteins from connecting to the cells, helping reduce the signs and symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.  Widely studied in clinical trials, you can read on how well it worked for others.  For instance, one specific study noted that 70 percent of people getting infusions achieved an ACR20 response after six months, which means they saw a 20 percent improvement in their swollen and tender joints and other related rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Cimzia Cost?

Cimzia, a prescription drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, is only available as the branded version at the time of this publishing.

How much does Cimzia cost?

The costs of Cimzia, like many prescription-based drugs, will depend on the pharmacy you choose and the health insurance plan you currently have.  Since there’s no generic readily available, Cimzia will be your only choice, with the average costs ranging anywhere from $4,000 to $4,300 for two 200mg/ml prefilled syringes without health insurance.

As for health insurance policies cover the medications, it seems to be a mixed bag as some patients report their policy covering this medication, whereas others said they had no luck.  As for Medicare, GoodRX says it’s going to be a toss-up as 47% of Medicare Part D plans will cover this drug, with the average co-pay ranging anywhere from $900 to $4,600 if the plan did cover it.  To be certain, though, either check your health insurance company’s drug database online and/or talk with them directly to know your coverage.

How to save on Cimzia

Use the official Cimizia coupon:  The official manufacturer of the drug, UCB, does offer a Cimzia $0 Co-Pay Savings Card for eligible patients, allowing them to pay as little as $0 per fill, up to $15,000 per year, with other benefits such as no income requirements and no dollar limit use.  This plan, as per the restrictions, is only available for commercially insured patients at this time.  To see if you qualify for the savings card, follow this official link and click on the “enroll now” button to see if you qualify.

Patient assistance programs:  Aside from the typical federal and state assistance programs, there are plenty of non-profit organizations out there that want to help you with specific medications, including Cimizia.  The Good Days Patient Assistance Program and PAN Foundation, for example, both offer assistance for this particular drug for patients who meet qualification requirements.  For the Good Days Patient Assistance Program, for instance, patients will have to have insurance, a valid prescription and must be diagnosed for a specific disease to qualify, whereas the PAN Foundation asks for the same requirements as well but may offer different financial assistance in the long run.  If you think you qualify, be sure to fill out as many of these forms as possible to see if you can receive financial assistance.

A generic?  Unfortunately, the patent for Cimiza will not expire until February 2024 and until this time, no generic will be available.  Even when the patent expires, it still doesn’t’ mean a generic will be available as another manufacturer will need to consider manufacturing it and the FDA will need to approve it.

What is Cimzia?

Cimzia, as part of the Anti- TNFα drug class, is an injectable man-made protein that blocks the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha, effectively reducing the symptoms often felt by arthritis and  Crohn’s disease sufferers.

Cimzia side effects

Commonly reported side effects include  abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, pain in the joints, respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections, while more serious side effects may include bacteria in the blood, cancer, heart failure,  decrease in platelets and red blood cells, and reactivating hepatitis B.  This is not a full list of side effects; for a full list, refer to this FDA guide.  As always, if you feel any uncomfortable side effects, talk to your doctor immediately.

Cimzia overview

Cimzia, an injection commonly prescribed for Crohn disease for adults who see no benefits from other medications, may also be prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis as it works on the immune system to help decrease inflammation.

Before being prescribed, your nurse or doctor will show you exactly how the injections work, and like most injections, it’s injected beneath the skin, usually in the upper thighs or the abdomen.  If you do use these injections at home, always be sure you follow your doctor’s directions specifically, never using more, less or stopping.

Dosages will greatly depend on the individual patient and the reason for the injections.  For ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn disease, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, most adults will inject two separate doses of 200 milligrams injected under the skin, repeated again after two and four weeks.  Depending on your response, your doctor may continue the 200-milligram dose every other week or 400-milligram dosages every four weeks.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Bystolic Cost?

Bystolic, a prescription-based drug designed to treat high blood pressure, is available as a brand name only, but with the patent expiring in 2021, a generic could come available at this time.

How much does Bystolic cost?

The cost of Bystolic will depend on a few factors, as with any prescriptions, including the dosage, the quantity, the pharmacy you choose and your health insurance plan, but from what we did research, the costs seemed to be the same regardless of your dosage.  With a variety of options available, we included the costs in our table below:

As for health insurance, it appears that most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the prescription, with the reported co-pay being in the $18 to $150 range, again, depending on the health insurance plan you have and the factors mentioned prior.  To be certain what you’re responsible for, we recommend you either check with your insurance company’s online drug database or call them directly to see what you would be responsible for in terms of cost.

How to save on Bystolic

Manufacturer coupon:  The official manufacturer of the prescription, Allergan, does offer a savings program that allows eligible patients to pay as little as $30 per fill, depending on your commercial insurance coverage.  This plan is only available for those who have insurance and eligible patients can use it for up to 12 monthly uses.  To see if you qualify, follow the link and fill out the registration card to potentially pay less than $12 per month with a 90-day prescription.

Patient assistance program:  Aside from the manufacturer coupon, Allergan also offers a patient assistance program designed for those who meet certain income requirements.  In order to qualify, just like the manufacturer coupon, you will want to fill out the application to see if you qualify for a discounted prescription.  According to the fine print, you can enroll 12 months at a time and your medication will be shipped to your pharmacy or doctor every 90 days at no cost if you were approved.  As for restrictions, you will need a valid prescription, proof of income and a copy of your LIS denial letter for Medicare Part D recipients.

Larger supply:  As you can see in the table above, the larger your supply is, the more you can save.  If you do know you’re going to need the medication for more than 30 days, then ask your doctor to write a prescription for a longer duration to save.

Ask about a lower priced alternative:  If you’re on a tight budget, ask your doctor if a cheaper alternative works for your particular situation.  According to GoodRX, two popular alternatives, Lopressor and Toprol XL, for example, can be as little as $7 to $13 for 60 tablets, which is almost $300 cheaper than Bystolic.

What about a generic?  The Bystolic patent will not expire until September 2012 and until then, the branded version will only be available.  However, even when the patent expires, it still doesn’t mean a generic will be available as manufacturers will still have to commit to creating it, with the FDA approving it.

Bystolic overview

Bystolic (Nebivolol) is either used alone or in conjunction with other medications to help treat high blood pressure.  As a beta-blocker, the medication will work by affecting the response of the nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, such as the heart.  Because of this, the heart can beat slower, effectively lowering your blood pressure.  When lowered, then the amount of blood and the oxygen is then increased to the heart.  In addition to using the medicine, your doctor may also place you on a specialized diet, often asking you to change the way you eat, often avoiding foods high in sodium.

Dosages will greatly depend on the patient, but for most, adults will take about five milligrams per day, with the dosage slightly increased for some.  Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and directions on the label closely; never take more, less or stop taking without your doctor’s permission.

The medicine should be taken orally with a full glass of water, either with or without any food.

Bystolic side effects

As per the FDA and the official website, side effects can include headaches, tiredness, dizziness, diarrhea, insomnia, chest pains, a slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, rashes and/or leg swelling due to fluid retention.  This is not a complete list of side effects, and as always, talk with your doctor immediately if you have any side effects that are not going away.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Enbrel Cost?

Enbrel (etanercept), a prescription-based drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for both adults and children, is available as a brand name only at the time of this publication.

How much does Enbrel cost?

As with any prescriptions, the costs of Enbrel will depend on the pharmacy you use, your health insurance policy and the quantity at the time of prescription.  As per our research, the costs of could greatly range from $5,000 for one carton of four 50 milligram sureclicks to as much as $29,000 for six cartons of four 50 milligram sureclicks.  These are prices for those who do not have any health insurance coverage.

As for those who do have health insurance coverage, it appears that most health insurance policies will not cover this drug, but some do.  GoodRX.com, for instance, states that Medicare will not cover this prescription, but the official website states they do have Medicare Solutions Specialists who are able to help you with your Medicaid or Medicare plan.  To be certain, however, check your health insurance company’s drug database online and/or talk with a representative of the company to know what your restrictions are and what you would be responsible for if you were to buy a prescription.  For example, a user of the drug on Everyday Health said she paid a $40 co-pay for her medication, while another paid $1,200 per injection after $4,000 was covered by assistance programs.

How to save on Enbrel

Manufacturer coupon: The official manufacturer of the drug, Amgen, does offer an Enbrel Support Card, which allows you to pay no more than $10 per month if you qualify for the savings card.  The program, as per its restrictions, is able only for commercially patients only and a maximum savings of $12,000 a year applies.  For more information, follow this link to see how the company could help offset the costs for your next prescription.

Safety Net Foundation:  For those who do not have any health insurance coverage, then you may be able to receive Enbrel at no cost for up to a year through the Safety Net Foundation as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements such as satisfying income requirements.  To apply, follow the link and download a patient application to see if you can be approved for your next prescription.

Assitance programs:  Aside from the typical state and federally funded program, there are multiple patient assistance programs which can help offset the costs for certain drugs as long as you meet eligibility requirements.  One such organization, the PAN Foundation, for example, can financially help you out based on the application information.  To qualify, however, you do need to have an insurance policy and a valid prescription for a drug/disease they cover, which in this case, would be Enbrel at the time of this publishing.

A generic soon?  A generic is not available as of yet, but the patent did expire in June 2016.  A generic, while not guaranteed, will all depend on the demand and if a manufacturer depends to manufacture it.  Since the patent did expire, be sure to look for a generic that could come soon.

Enbrel overview

Enbrel, as an injection, is designed to help symptoms and signs often associated with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis, such as tiredness or stiffness, to name a few.  It can also help slow the progression to the body often caused by arthritis.

Injected beneath the skin in particular areas dictated by your doctor, you will be educated as to how to use it before your doctor prescribes the medication.  Once at home with your prescription, it’s so important you follow the medication guidelines and your doctor’s orders, never taking more, less or stopping without your doctor’s consent.

The medicine is available via four forms:  as a prefilled Enbrel Mini™ cartridge through the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector, a prefilled syringe, a vial or as a prefilled SureClick™ autoinjector.

Dosage amounts greatly depend on the individual patient and the reason for injections.  For the injection dosage forms, adults will often need to inject 50 milligrams beneath the skin once a week for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, while for plaque psoriasis, two 50 milligrams injections are needed twice per week, about three to four days apart, with the dosage decreasing to once a week after the first 90 days.

What is Embrel?

Embrel, being the branded name for the generic name, Etanercept, is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, which means it will interfere with TNF, a cell signaling protein made by the body in order to help the body fight off a disease by encouraging an inflammatory response.  However, this stimulation, for some, can often cause clinical problems that are often linked to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, to name a few.

This medication will work by preventing or inhibiting the action of TNF to help reduce the body’s inflammatory response.  Being able to stop this response has been found to be helpful when treating a variety of autoimmune diseases, according to Medical News Today.

Enbrel side effects

• Allergic reactions
• Change in vision
• Dizziness
• Fevers, chills or a related sign of infection
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Numbness or tingling
• Red patches and/or raised bumps on the skin
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Unexpected weight loss
• Unusual swelling and/or fluid in the legs

This is not a full list of side effects; for a full list of side effects, refer to this FDA list.  As always, if you experience any side effects you’re uncomfortable with, contact a medical professional immediately.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Dysport Cost?

In 2009, Dysport entered the market, claiming to offer the same benefits as its competitor, Botox.

Approved by the FDA, Dysport, now owned by Galderma, has gained some traction in the United States as a Botox alternative to help reduce wrinkles.

“hypodermic needle IMG_7418” (CC BY 2.0) by stevendepolo

How much does Dysport cost?

The cost of Dysport injections typically will depend on the doctor you choose, your geographical location, the area treated, and the amount of product required for your circumstances.  Based on these factors, the reported costs we found online via people who shared their costs tended to be in the $175 to $400 per injection area or about $5 per unit, with some discounts available to those who would purchase more than one area at once and/or more injections in the future, seeing the results are not considered to be permanent.  If you’re lucky enough, Groupon.com often has a variety of reputable doctors in your area which may help you save up to 60%+ off.  As this is a voluntarily cosmetic procedure, no health insurance companies will cover it.

The number of units required will depend on the patient, specifically, the size treated, but for most, 50 to 60 units is ideal for frown areas with up to 90 units required for those who have really strong muscles.  For instance, someone online noted they needed 50 units for their frown, another 30 units per eye and lastly, 30 units for the forehead area, bringing the grand total to 140 units.

According to Otto Joseph Placik, MD on Realself.com, he noted that Dysport will typically require 2.5 times the dosage of Botox to see the same effects but has been known to last longer than Botox in general.  In conclusion, he notes that you should be prepared to pay $5 per unit, with the average glabellar frown wrinkle job requiring close to 50 units.

The Ovation Med Spa in Houston, Texas, for example, charges $5 per unit, with the average patient requiring 40 to 50 units per treated area.

The procedure

Like Botox, during the procedure, your specialist will first clean the area with an alcohol wipe to help prevent an infection.  In some cases, depending on your circumstances, a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, may be considered to help numb the area as well.  Most of the time, however, the area will not require a numbing cream, according to DocShop.com.  The entire process usually will involve one injection into five sites running above and between the eyebrows.

Results are typically seen about 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and can last up to five months, but as with any cosmetic procedure, it will greatly vary from patient to patient.  Most patients can return to work immediately, but your doctor may ask you to avoid laying down or rubbing the treatment area for at least 12 hours as it heals.

Dysport candidates

According to the official website, ideal candidates will be for those who suffer from frown lines which develop on the forehead between the eyebrows.  Often, those who do suffer from mild to moderate wrinkling on the forehead are often considered a great candidate, while those who suffer from deep wrinkles may benefit more from a browlift procedure instead.

The procedure, as per the company, is not recommended for those who are allergic to any of the ingredients found in the injections and/or are allergic to cow’s milk protein and/or had an allergic reaction to any botulinum toxin products in the past such as Botox or Myobloc, for example.  Also, the company claims those who are older than 65 or those who have a skin infection at the site of injection will not be ideal candidates either.

It’s also not recommended for those with weak muscles at the injection site, droopy eyelids, deep facial scars, oily skin or the wrinkles cannot be smoothed, even when spreading apart.

What is Dysport?

Dysport is designed to treat moderate to severe frown lines located between the eyebrows to help reduce specific muscle activity.  As wrinkles are caused by repeated movements and muscle contractions, one injection of Dysport into each of the five points between and above the eyebrows will help temporarily prevent the muscle contractions that cause your frown lines, leaving the rest of your face to move as naturally as possible.  In other words, the company notes you will notice no frozen look, just a natural look, allowing you to control your look instead of the look controlling you.

Dysport side effects

• Eyelid drooping and/or swelling
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Nose or throat irritation
• Pain and/or a reaction at the injection site
• Sinus inflammation
• Upper respiratory tract infection

This is not a full list of side effects for the product; for a full list, refer to this FDA guide.

Dysport vs. Botox

Dysport, on average, will take about three times the amount of units as Botox to achieve similar results; however, the costs, over the year, can be similar as Dysport patients often require three sessions per year to maintain their results while Botox patients often report needing four sessions to achieve the same results.

Like Botox, Dysport is a form of injectable botulinum toxin Type A, but as to how they exactly work, the entire method is not fully understood, as per YourPlasticSurgeryGuide.com.  Some reports may indicate that Dysport can work faster, often working in as little as one to two days, while Botox can take up to five days to work.

Dysport is known to defuse more, a slight advantage in some areas of the face but as a disadvantage in others.

What is Dysport used for?

Aside from cosmetic purposes by reducing wrinkles on the forehead, Dysport has other uses as well, including, treating certain eye disorders, uncontrolled blinking, muscle spasms, excessive underarm sweat and even headaches for those who suffer from frequent migraines, according to WebMD.com.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Dupixent Cost?

Dupixent, an injection used to treat eczema, is only available by prescription and no generic is available at the time of this publishing.

The first biologic medication that was approved by the FDA, this biologic drug, according to the National Eczema Association, is genetically engineered from proteins that are derived from living cells or tissues, which are designed to target specific parts of the immune system that’s responsible for chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

“Helping your skin within,” as the manufacturer claims, your skin can begin to heal with Dupixent, helping adults who suffer from moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that cannot be controlled with prescription therapies such as topical lotions.

“Atopic dermatitis” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Oregon State University

How much does Dupixent cost?

The cost of Dupixent depends on a few factors, including the pharmacy you choose, your health insurance policy and the quantity prescribed.  Based on these factors, the costs per injection, without any insurance involved, can cost close to $1,500 per injection, with the costs slightly decreasing as you purchase more cartons.   From all of the pharmacies we called, ranging from Costco to Walmart and Walgreens, the prices seemed to be quite close.

As for health insurance, the coverage seemed to be mixed as to whether or not the injection was covered.  GoodRX.com, for example, noted that Medicare will not cover it, while someone on this Reddit.com thread stated she only paid $0 after her insurance and the manufacturer of Dupixent paid its share.  To be certain if your health insurance covers it or not, either search your insurance company’s drug database online or talk with the insurance company and/or pharmacy for more information as to your coverage restrictions.

According to the New York Times, the list price of the drug is said to be $37,000 a year.

How to save on Dupixent

Manufacturer coupon:  The official manufacturer of the drug, Sanofi, offers a program called Dupixent MyWay, a program designed to help eligible patients pay as little as $0.  This card is only available to those with current commercial insurance coverage, and to see if you do qualify, follow the link above to see if you qualify.

Assistance programs:  Certain support programs offer financial help to those who qualify, just like the manufacturer program mentioned above.  If you feel you have exhausted your state and federal assistance programs, then you may want to look at specific third-party assistance programs that specifically help with this drug in particular.   Genzyme Patient Support Services, for example, helps eligible patients, usually those on a limited income and restricted insurance, for this drug as per its official drug list and can help you as long as you meet certain guidelines.  To see if you qualify, again, follow the link for more information.

Prescription coupons:  No matter what your circumstances are, prescription coupons via third-party websites, such as GoodRX.com, are available for everyone.  Working just like a health insurance policy, all you need to do is find the pharmacy and drug you want to use, print out the card and take it to your local pharmacy of choice to pay the price posted on the website.  Do keep in mind, however, that if you do choose this option, you will not be able to use your health insurance policy on top of it.

Larger supply:  While the savings won’t be drastic, you can still save if you ask your doctor for a larger quantity at the time of prescription.

Dupixent overview

Being an injection, Dupixent is injected under the skin and your doctor, before prescribing it, will show you exactly how the injection works to make sure you’re comfortable with the process.  Always take your injections as directed, never taking more, less or stopping without your doctor’s discretion.  When done with your injections, it’s important to always put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container and never inside of a trash can.  If you do not have a sharps container, either ask your doctor for one or purchase one online.

Dupixent side effects

The most common side effects reported during the clinical trials included pink eye, injection-related side effects and cold sores on the lips and in the mouth.

How does it work?

Dupixent works by blocking a protein known as interleukin, or also as IL, by preventing it from binding to the cell receptors.  These proteins are known to help fight off viruses or bacteria in the body, but when our immune system goes into overdrive, it can often mistakenly trigger certain ILs, resulting in some chronic inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis.  The medication will target two specific interleukins which are known to contribute to atopic dermatitis:  IL-4 and IL-13, and by blocking these proteins from binding to the receptors, it can help prevent your immune system going into overdrive, calming it down effectively, leading to fewer symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis.  Since it is made from proteins, it must be given by injection and cannot be taken orally or as a cream as doing so would make the drug much less effective.

Dupixent results

In clinical studies, more than one in three patients saw clear or almost clear skin at the 16-week mark with patients experiencing a reduction in itching at this time as well.  Almost half of the patients, in comparison to the placebo group, saw some sort of improvement at 16 weeks.  You can view more than 18 completed studies via the Clinical Trials database for more information in regards to the studies.

Comments (2)

How Much Does a Dexcom CGM Cost?

The Dexcom CGM system offers dynamic glucose information in real-time, eliminating the need for fingersticks for daily glucose management solutions.

With a small sensor injected beneath the skin, the transmitter, which fastens atop the sensor, is able to send data wirelessly to either your smart device or a Dexcom receiver.

“After the battle” (CC BY 2.0) by aldenchadwick

How much does a Dexcom CGM system cost?

The costs of a Dexcom CGM system will depend on a few factors, including which model you want and where you purchase it.  At the time of this writing, Dexcom offered three CGM systems:  the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM system, the most popular option at this time, which retails for about $500 to $800 per transmitter without insurance, and the Dexcom G6 GCM, which is expected to retail for more than the G5, but at this time, since the device was recently released, the prices were not confirmed by the manufacturer just yet.  The older G4 model transmitter can still be purchased as well for about the same price as the G5.   You can also find a starter kit, which includes a receiver, one box of sensors and two transmitters for about $1,500 at most retailers.

If you just purchase the transmitter on its own, then this price will not include the sensors for the transmitter, which will have to be replaced every seven days.  For the sensors, which need to be replaced every seven days, can cost about $100 per sensor or close to $300 to $400 for a box of four, the most common quantity found.

As for the transmitter, the company states it will only last three months, the main reason you will receive two transmitters if you buy from the company, so be prepared to continue to buy a new transmitter as you use the device.

On Amazon.com, for example, we did find the Dexcom G5 Transmitter on its own for about $450, but the expiration dates were unknown and it is often not recommended you purchase this route, especially if the expiration date is unknown.

According to one member on this DiabetesDaily.com forum thread, her insurance was charged $649 for the G4 receiver, $799 for the transmitter and another $750 for the sensors, but in the end, after her insurance paid its share, she paid a total of $1,307 to get started.  At the end of the year, she also noted she paid a total of $2,664 and expected to pay a pinch less than $5,000 for two years total when everything was factored in.

On this TuDiabetes.org forum thread, one member said she paid a $1,000 co-pay for her transmitter and another $300 per box for the sensors, which last a few months on average.  Via another thread on the same website, a member stated she paid $2,500 a year on the G4 system.

Those with health insurance policies will find that almost all policies will cover these devices, including the receiver and the sensors, but as with any health insurance, the costs you pay, even after insurance pays its share, will depend on your co-pay and deductible limits.  Some have repoarted paying less than $100 per month for everything, whereas others have reported paying thousands throughout the year.  Be sure to check with your health insurance company and the retailer you plan on purchasing from to see what you may be responsible for.

How does the device work?

The device consists of three parts:  First, a small sensor, which is inserted beneath the skin, is able to read your glucose levels, which will then be sent to the second component, the transmitter, which is a component that fits onto the sensor and can send your data directly to any web-based mobile device.  The last part, the mobile device, will be a small receiver, such as your smartphone, which can then display your glucose information in real time.

Dexcom G5 CGM specifications

This was the first FDA approved CGM system that allows you to make treatment decisions without the need to prick your finger, according to the company.  The device provides real-time glucose readings for those with type 1 and 2 diabetes, with readings every five minutes that are sent to your smart device via the Dexcom G5 mobile app.

The G5 CGM system is a compact system which compromises of a discrete small sensor inserted  beneath the skin, a transmitter which sends the data from your sensor to the smart device and a mobile app that offers a report system, known as CLARITY, which offers the ability to track your glucose levels anywhere on any web-based platform.  You’re also given the ability to send any results to loved ones, caretakers and view any trends in real-time.

If your glucose levels are trending too high or low, you can send audio alerts to your phone.

Dexcom G6 GCM specifications

The G6 system, as per the CEO, will follow the same system the G4 and G5 uses, but with different features based on the feedback received from its users.  The sensors are recommended for use in the abdomen for those two and up or on the back for those between the ages of two and 17 years old.  The device was approved by the FDA in March of 2019.

The G6’s sensor will no longer require calibration, meaning you do not need to check your meter to calibrate the machine unless you feel the symptoms which do not correlate with the blood sugar data the device is giving you.

The mechanical aspects, in comparison to the G4 and G5, has greatly improved as the new application is easy to use and the sensor can quickly insert with a quick push of a button.

As per an FDA requirement, the sensors must shut off after 10 days as the components may start to work differently on day 11 or 12, for example.

Tips to know

With the new version, you will not need to buy a receiver as you can use your smartphone, for example, to replace the receiver itself, potentially saving you hundreds.

Customers do note that Dexcom, if you purchase directly from the official website, will offer special promotions from time to time.

Comments (0)

How Much Does Blinkist Cost?

Blinkist offers key insight to more than 2,500+ of the best nonfiction books, allowing you to read or listen to the entire book in less than 15 minutes.

These bite-sizes insights, read either as text or in audio form, can help boost your professional skills or widen your world by uncovering subjects you never knew you loved.

How much does the Blinkist app cost?

According to the official website of the app, you have two options:  either the premium yearly option, which averages $6.67 per month but is billed at $79.99 per year or the premium monthly option, which is billed at $12.99 a month.  These fees are accurate as of 2018 and are subject to change.

If you want to try out the service for the first time, they do allow you to sign up for a free trial for seven days, and if you do not like it, you can cancel without the worry about being billed.  However, since you have to input your credit card information ahead of time, you will be billed the annual amount if you do forget to cancel the free trial if you decide you do not like it.  The company, as per its FAQ, however, will offer a refund if you write to the support team within the first 14 days of signing up.

Aside from the individual options, the app also offers team options, allowing you to subscribe up to 50 teammates.  The 10 teammates option, for example, will cost $549 for the year while the 50 teammate option will cost $1,999 for the year.  Bigger options are also available, but the website asks you to contact them for more information.

As a last note, you can choose to sign up for free without giving them a credit card at all and will be able to access “Your Free Daily” reads, allowing you to read specific titles at no cost once a day.  Granted, this book will be chosen by the company, not you.

What is included in the premium version?

Access to more than 2,000 titles and counting, giving you unlimited access

The ability for members to learn hands-free by listening to the titles

Highlight any ideas that are of interest

Access your library if you’re offline

Ability to send your books to your Kindle

Sync any highlights made to Evernote.

Book lists by category

According to the official website, they offer bite-sized insights for the following categories:

• Biographies and History
• Business
• Communication and Social
• Entrepreneurship
• Economics
• Finance and Investments
• Health and Fitness
• History
• Inspiring
• Leadership
• Non-fiction
• Management
• Marketing
• Mindfulness
• Motivational
• Parenting
• Politics and Society
• Psychology
• Sales
• Science
• Self-help

At the time of this publishing, some of the most popular books, as per the official list, included Be More Pirate by Sam Conniff Allende, The Fear Factor by Abigail Marsh, Who Can You Trust? by Rachel Botsman, Feral by George Monbiot and Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

Pros of the Blinkist App

Helps you save a lot of time, allowing you to find something to read and focus on the topics that truly interest you

While it can help you save time, it can also open your mind to new topics you would have never explored before, seeing you don’t have to invest hours of your time into the book

Very cost-effective as you do not have to purchase multiple books or make multiple trips to your local library

Offered as either an audiobook or text format, allow you to learn in multiple ways

Allows you to highlight certain points of the book which interest you

Simple summaries before opening the book to see if it’s something of interest

Tips to know

Look for a coupon code ahead of time as you can save a few dollars off your membership, especially if you’re a first-time user.  The CultofMac, for instance, had a coupon code readily available in the past that allowed you to save up to 62% off your premium subscription.

Aside from Blinkist, other apps that are considered to be similar to this concept includes getAbstract, InstaRead and Joosr.

Comments (0)