More about Pradaxa

Hello there! I posted a question about Pradaxa side effects in December when I had just started taking it and was experienceing stomach cramps and pain. With encouragement from other members, I stuck with it and was SO happy that after a week all side effects were gone. Sadly, my new health insurance will pay only 50% of the retail price rather than the former $50 per month (which was stiff enough in itself!) Anyway, I certainly cannot pay the almost $250 for one month's supply considering all the other meds I take. So suppose I will have to go back to the dreaded warfarin and monthly PT/INR blood draws. Very unhappy for me....but wanted to encourage anyone whose insurance DOES cover Pradaxa to give it a chance. Cheers to all.

8 Comments

What about the finger stick test?

by janetinak - 2011-01-21 01:01:46

You might check if you are eligible for the finger stick INR rather than the blood draw. I had to do the blood draw frequently for awhile but after I stabilized I went to the the finger stick & that is no where as bad as the blood test. Maybe you could do that too?

Janet

Pradaxa

by golden_snitch - 2011-01-21 03:01:09

Hi,

except for the more convenient handling, there really isn't much about Pradaxa that makes it superior to Warfarin. Don't be too sad, it's hasn't proved to be any better than Warfarin, there is no "antidote" for it like vitamin K for Warfarin, and there are some things in the study protocol that give you the shivers - mainly tested in third world countries (most patients would not have got any meds if they didn't participate in the study), no "blinded" study, no TIAs counted... Pradaxa is just way more expensive, and if the more convenient handling justifies this price is questionable.

I have recently heard an expert talk about Pradaxa with one cardio argueing for it, and one against. In the end the expert audience was asked with whom they'd agree more: nearly 90% said they won't take those patients who did well on Warfarin/Coumadin off it, and prescribe Pradaxa. They will stick to the old meds, Pradaxa is too expensive for the little advantage is has over Warfarin.

Best wishes
Inga

Costs

by golden_snitch - 2011-01-21 03:01:29

Hi,

like I said, I heard an expert talk on Pradaxa and the two cardios (professors) who were speaking quoted and showed lots of data from the RE-LY study which is the big Pradaxa study. I also read the first RE-LY publication but there are some further & deeper analysis now.

A blood draw once a month or so is less expensive. Right now here in Europe the costs for Pradaxa would be about 13 euro per day. Now, Coumadin or Warfarin here is 30 cent per day! And a blood draw to check the INR is about 3 euro. If if you'd do a blood draw every week, the costs would be way lower than for Pradaxa.
I do home monitoring. It's paid by insurances here in Germany, every patient who will need to take Coumadin more than 2 years can do home monitoring.

Best wishes
Inga

Im going on Praxda soon

by walkerd - 2011-01-21 06:01:09

I was informed from my cardio doc that I had to start on Cumaden or the new drug Pradaxa, I was told that Pradaxa is safer than cumaden, what I dont understand is if taking Pradaxa you dont have to have blood tests once a week than to once a month makes no sense that it is nonpreffered drug by the insurance companies, in the long run it is cheaper, my plan is $60 for 90 day supply. Thats no more expensive than some of the other meds I take for my heart, is it adding up yes, but if I dont have to make a trip to the hospital for blood draws once a week or once a month it will run cheaper for me to try the pradaxa. Where do you get your info snitch Id like to read some of those studies you refer to on studies done in third world countries by the drug maker. Is it not approved my the FDA which from what I have seen and read takes far longer for them to ok something that is new even with alot of studies. Would like some info on where you find your sources is all Id like to read them.

dave

INR Home Testing

by Bill T - 2011-01-21 09:01:34

Peutla 2, I don't know if this might be applicable with your insurance but standard Medicare will pay for home testing of INR. I had just received the meter and supplies in November when my Dr started me on Pradaxa. Do a Google check and you will find companies that provide home INR testing.

Regards, Bill T

whoops

by walkerd - 2011-01-23 07:01:17

wrong numbers up there at $60 for 3 month supply twice a day tabs would be $240 a year for the pradaxa. So numbers would be worse than what I put up there, sorry I wasnt more careful while I was typing. Costs for going the other way are far more expensive than taking the pradaxa. But it would still be a big hummmmm.

dave

Hummm

by walkerd - 2011-01-23 07:01:25

At $15.00 a day for pradaxa (on my insurance plan), $3975 a year that I will pay. Say blood test here in US at $125 (thats probably low) for each and if you take a blood test once a week and I dont know how long before you can go on once a month once its regulated Ill just say 3 months that would be $2750 for the first year. Then $1500 a year after that if you only go once a month thats just the blood tests, I have no idea what the cumudon costs per 90 days. Plus at $3.20 a gallon for gas and wear and tear on your vechile depending on how far you drive for blood tests (thats not a cost for insurance thats just out of my pocket). I would think it would come close to being close to the same cost, thats why I dont understand why its a nonpreffered drug by insurance compianies.
Just my two cents worth. I could be wrong but I dont think the FDA would ok a drug just related to third world countries studies conducted, like I said I could be wrong but see no logical reason I shouldnt try the pradaxa.

Dave

pradaxa

by jerrypacemaker - 2011-01-24 11:01:03

Someone posted that Pradaxa is no more effctive than coumadain, simply not true. My EP who is a pioneer in this field said it is 4x yes, 400% more effective. You are talking sour grapes. I do fell bad for you or anyone who's insurance does not cover the cost like a older drug i.e. coumadin. I have a suggestion for most of you interested in Pradaxa and can"t afford it. Get your EP or cardio doc to write a "letter of support" to your insurance company for a PRE APPROVAL. Asked your Doctor to state that this new drug is much safer to administer and since you don't need any blood work, this fact will help offset some or all the extra cost. I did this and my insurance co approved it as formularly brand as opposed to non-formulary. If anyone has any questions just post your question or e-mail me thru the pacemaker club
jerrypacemaker

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