Food allergies... the hidden costs

[hoosierdoc]

So my son has a peanut allergy. He needs an Epi-Pen at school and we keep one with us. The ones my wife just picked up today cost $253 each from CVS and expire in October. Hrm. Time to investigate other options. I wonder if I Can get a glass ampule of epi and keep it handy along with an insulin syringe.

Any other food allergy suffers getting hosed on epi-pen costs? It's basically life-insurance that we've never needed but this is the 7th and 8th we've bought. He's 4.

 

[Bunnykid68]

So my son has a peanut allergy. He needs an Epi-Pen at school and we keep one with us. The ones my wife just picked up today cost $253 each from CVS and expire in October. Hrm. Time to investigate other options. I wonder if I Can get a glass ampule of epi and keep it handy along with an insulin syringe.

Any other food allergy suffers getting hosed on epi-pen costs? It's basically life-insurance that we've never needed but this is the 7th and 8th we've bought. He's 4.

I have a friend that owns a pharmacy, if I am remembering correctly I can save you between 50-75%. Send me a PM later so that I will remember to call him tomorrow.

 

[Bunnykid68]

I am assuming you do not have insurance to cover any of those costs. They also have treatments to strengthen ones immune response to such things as well.

 

[bobbittle]

Anakit Epinephrine / Chlorpheniramine Drug Information

 

[hoosierdoc]

Thanks BK, I'll PM you tomorrow. On the Anakit, that is similar to what I'm wanting to do. The EpiPen is the "no-brainer" way for the lay public to use easily. My wife's a dentist, we can handle the dosing and injection portion, just don't want to cough up $500+ every 12 months.

We have insurance but there is not much help on prescriptions below our HSA out-of-pocket limits (which I try not to hit anyway). This was also a CVS cost which is probably the most expensive way to buy drugs.

 

[RoyalTenenbaum]

goodrx.com helps you find meds at various pharmacies near you at the best price.

Epipen Kit Pharmacy Prices and Coupons - GoodRx $92.86 at cvs with the coupon.

 

[bobbittle]

If you stick with the epi pen, when you get them check the expiration date while you're standing there. If its less than a year refuse it.

 

[hoosierdoc]

goodrx.com helps you find meds at various pharmacies near you at the best price.

Epipen Kit Pharmacy Prices and Coupons - GoodRx $92.86 at cvs with the coupon.

Wow, thanks. I wonder if the "kit" is more because it includes the trainer one too? The first time I didn't change the selection to "pen" and wasn't seeing those prices.

 

[slimplmbr]

My wife is a pharmacist and was asking her about this. She was saying that it should not have been dispensed with an expiration date less than 12 months out. She said always check the date at the counter and if its under 12 months out have them order you a different one. She will check prices tomorrow and I will let you know.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Just priced EPI pens, now they are $470 for a two pack. Ouch.

 

[mbills2223]

Just priced EPI pens, now they are $470 for a two pack. Ouch.

Are you still interested in the epi amp option? They're dirt cheap...let me know...I can order some in tomorrow when I work, and I might just deliver

 

[96firephoenix]

I haven't bought an epipen in probably 4 years. last ones I bought were $125 for a 2-pack!

FWIW, I was told by my allergist and a pharmacist that as long as the epi inside is not milky, the pens are still good, despite what the expiry date says. Not that I would want to bet my kid's life on this assumption...

 

[Lammchop93]

Look into the Avi-Q. I have a peanut allergy, and I was able to get the Avi-Q for free. It works great. I had an accident back in the fall, and the Avi-Q saved me.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Auvi-Q is the same price. I'll see if they have a coupon floating around. Mbills, thanks for the offer. Problem is the non-medical people won't be able to use that so we still need the auto injectors.

 

[Lammchop93]

Auvi-Q is the same price. I'll see if they have a coupon floating around. Mbills, thanks for the offer. Problem is the non-medical people won't be able to use that so we still need the auto injectors.

If I remember right, my regular doctor had a whole book of free Avi-Q coupons

 

[mbills2223]

Auvi-Q is the same price. I'll see if they have a coupon floating around. Mbills, thanks for the offer. Problem is the non-medical people won't be able to use that so we still need the auto injectors.

https://www.epipen.com/copay-offer

https://www.auvi-q.com/sign-up

The savings for both programs is limited to $100 per fill in addition to whatever your insurance pays

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

My insulin is about $60 per tube, and it's supposed to last about 45 days, but it takes a tube per week, so no probs with life, just the cost. M'lady is doing better with pepper and such, but still bad with soy protein and especially eggy weggs (1 internet to the first one that gets that ref). I wanted to try her out on duck eggs, as some aren't sensitive to those, but that hasn't worked out so far. We just read ingredient lists and avoid the bad stuff.