Entocort Information

[Ever Unique]

What can anyone tell me about Entocort except that it is expensive as hell and there seems to be not a single patient assistance programs available? I just spent $400 on a 10 day supply and my Dr gave me same samples to help carry me along further but is there any assistance out there that anyone has found? I had one person tell me that prometheus labs/astra Zeneca has a discount card that I will call them concerning but I have already call them once and they do not offer any prescription drug plans for Entocort. PPARX and their associated plans are also not covering Entocort at this time.
My next questions are concerning the medication itself. I understand that this is a corticosteroid and has significantly less side effects than any of the other corticosteroid treatments but has anyone take this medication long term? And what do I have to look forward too? I am supposed to take 9mg a day for 3 months and then reevaluate my symptoms.

Thanks for any information.

 

[kiny]

I have been taking it for about a week and a half now. 9mg (3*3) after I lost a serious amount of blood and went to ER.

They told me it's keeping the inflammation down, but I really hope to change to anti-immune like infliximab on my doc appointment tomorrow because for me Entocort doesn't seem to help a lot. I really don't feel much better and I still have pain when I eat food.

I had 1 side-effect, heartburn, which has nothing to do with the heart, it's just gasses that go up to your chest from your stomach and they hurt your chest. With a lot of drinking it went over. 6% of the people who take Entocort have that as a side-effect.

The reason it's not as bad as real cortisones is because most of the stuff goes to your intestins and shouldn't travel in the rest of your body.

But, the longer you take it, the higher the risks.

They give it for 2 weeks max here I believe and then they try to switch to something else.

 

[teeny5]

I was on it for a few months. For me it was just the thing to help kick me back into remission. I did not have any adverse side affects at all. My GI said they like to try it first because it has less side affects than the steroids. He stepped me off of it so that he could evaluate if my body would go back into a flare. It was honestly great for me, but I know for many it is not strong enough. He had another patient at the same time and they did not respond as well as I did. I figure anything is worth a try and if it is an issue than you can switch.

As for discounts I am not sure. I have Kaiser Permanente insurance and they covered much of the cost. I was shocked when I saw the regular price of the drug.

Good luck! Keep us posted.