Best prices for ADHD meds??

[TexasTodds]

My son takes Vyvanse 50 mg, which like most ADHD meds doesn't have a generic form. At Walgreens it is $56/month. Which stores seem to have the best prices for prescriptions? I have a Kroger, Target, CVS, HEB, and Wal-mart (last choice because of difficulty in getting in and out quickly).

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Mophia'sMom]

I take adderall, but it is covered by our insurance so $20/month. I'd check all the big chains: WM, Sams, CVS, Walgreens, etc., plus check your local pharmacies. I thought WM was going to add a couple ADHD meds to there $4 prescription program, wouldnt' hurt to call. Also, ask your Dr. for samples. I do, and my dr is great about giving them out.

 

[flowerpower]

You can get an additional discount sometimes with a AAA card. I've used it at Walgreen's in the past. Call your pharmacy, they will take the number and let you know if that medicine is on the list.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

For name brand medications, you probably won't find a huge price difference between stores b/c the mark up isn't that great. However, as a general rule, I find Walgreens to be the most expensive as they really seem to cater to the insured crowd. I would just call all the pharmacies and ask for a price quote over the phone (and I would also make sure they had the medication in stock).

 

[LeslieG]

My son takes Vyvanse 50 mg, which like most ADHD meds doesn't have a generic form. At Walgreens it is $56/month. Which stores seem to have the best prices for prescriptions? I have a Kroger, Target, CVS, HEB, and Wal-mart (last choice because of difficulty in getting in and out quickly).

Any thoughts? Thanks!

$56/month with no insurance? Wow, that's a bargain. Is Vyvanse new? I'm paying about $130/month, and I price shop for Adderall and Focalin. I'm going to ask about trying Vyvanse. I didn't realize any of the ADHD meds were under $100.

 

[LeslieG]

Just was thinking, is your med extended release? That may be the difference. I know the ones that aren't are less expensive.

 

[debbi801]

DS is on Vyvanse 30mg. We're paying a little under 25.00 a month at CVS. But, that is with our insurance prescription plan. We used to get it at Target, but it was a couple of dollars more a month and about half the time, they would be out of the meds. Slowly, we're switching all of our prescriptions over to CVS and they seem to be a bit less on all of them.

 

[TexasTodds]

Just to clarify, the $56 is with insurance, but I don't remember/know what exactly our prescription coverage is. I think it is a set amount, or a certain percentage depending on the price. I think I will call around to see what I can come up with. At this point, even $5 would help.

DS was previously on Adderall XR, but it was wearing off by 4:00-4:30, and we would often forget the short term one, or it just didn't always work. The Vyvanse apparently breaks down in your intestine, not your stomach, so it takes longer to start working, but does last much longer (supposedly about 12-14 hours.)

Also, I know there are coupons for this since it is new, to get a free month's supply, but you are only allowed to use it once. Bummer! I did end up with at least two, but oh well.

 

[LeslieG]

Just called my Walmart to check on the price of Vyvanse. I was all excited thinking it was going to be less expensive. But it's $147. Oh, well.

 

[ZuZugal]

My son takes Vyvanse 50 mg, which like most ADHD meds doesn't have a generic form. At Walgreens it is $56/month. Which stores seem to have the best prices for prescriptions? I have a Kroger, Target, CVS, HEB, and Wal-mart (last choice because of difficulty in getting in and out quickly).

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Does your insurance plan let you do mail-order for a 3 month supply? I know our insurance gives that option and it is usually cheaper that way.

 

[joellyn23]

Just to clarify, the $56 is with insurance, but I don't remember/know what exactly our prescription coverage is. I think it is a set amount, or a certain percentage depending on the price. I think I will call around to see what I can come up with. At this point, even $5 would help.

DS was previously on Adderall XR, but it was wearing off by 4:00-4:30, and we would often forget the short term one, or it just didn't always work. The Vyvanse apparently breaks down in your intestine, not your stomach, so it takes longer to start working, but does last much longer (supposedly about 12-14 hours.)

Also, I know there are coupons for this since it is new, to get a free month's supply, but you are only allowed to use it once. Bummer! I did end up with at least two, but oh well.

How do you like the Vynanse vs. Adderall XR? We tried Daytrana last year for the same reason (wearing off too quickly) but he turned nasty so we switched back. Adderall XR 20 mg works well in school, but rebound is a factor. We added a small dose in the afternoon (which i think helped) but he started losing weight and he doesn't have it to lose. I've thought about Vynanse, but I'm afraid to go through another transition only to find out it won't work well.

(BTW - I get my Adderall XR for $20/month with my insurance. I think Vynanse would be the same price. Supposedly, Adderall is going generic soon which would knock it down to $10/month on my plan)

 

[joellyn23]

Does your insurance plan let you do mail-order for a 3 month supply? I know our insurance gives that option and it is usually cheaper that way.

I think you cannot get a 3 month prescription for ADHD meds. They are really strict -- must be hand written Rx (cannot be faxed or phoned in)...must be filled within 7 days of being written. Must not try to refill it too soon...

 

[worm761]

check you insurance website. most of them have a prescription coverage thing where you can check the med and find out prices at different pharmacies. all of my co-pays are the same no matter where i go. so i go to target and pay with my target card. i earn 10% off coupons doing it this way. the 10% is for a shopping trip not a prescription.

my DS is on the daytrana patch. we love it. but the co-pay is outrageous. something i am willing to pay since it works and we have been through so many meds.

 

[TexasTodds]

We do really like the vyvanse, however, making sure he does eat is still somewhat of a problem, he often SAYS he is not hungry, but when he starts eating, I think that he finds he is hungrier than he thought, and will eat his meals.

We did try the mail order thing ONCE, but it took almost 3 weeks to get the meds. I think they were lost, but did not APPEAR to be tampered with, and really didn't work like the previous ones. The pediatrician also thought that it was the time spent in transport, and being exposed to heat. All that being said, the hassle and stress of dealing with that was not worth the $10 savings for having to deal with trying to mail order restricted pharmaceuticals (especially since I had to spend $10 to overnight the prescription in because of the 7 day rules.

That is also another reason for liking a drugstore with a drivethrough--doing this every month, I really don't wish to take 3 kids into the drugstore!

 

[debbi801]

How do you like the Vynanse vs. Adderall XR? We tried Daytrana last year for the same reason (wearing off too quickly) but he turned nasty so we switched back. Adderall XR 20 mg works well in school, but rebound is a factor. We added a small dose in the afternoon (which i think helped) but he started losing weight and he doesn't have it to lose. I've thought about Vynanse, but I'm afraid to go through another transition only to find out it won't work well.

(BTW - I get my Adderall XR for $20/month with my insurance. I think Vynanse would be the same price. Supposedly, Adderall is going generic soon which would knock it down to $10/month on my plan)

Vyvanse has a similar make-up as Adderall. We were doing Adderall with positive results, but the afternoon rebound effect was a nightmare. Vyvanse doesn't give us the rebound effect at all. Appetite is a problem, we've stopped giving it to DS on weekends so that he really eats. We feel like the food police all the time and I hate the idea of forcing him to eat.

Also, we have noticed a couple other issues with DS. DS' main diagnosis is asperger's syndrome with the added ADHD behaviors. While the Vyvanse has been amazing on the ADHD behaviors, it aggravates some of the Asperger's behaviors--makes DS even less social and increases his anxiety.

HTH!

 

[LAH LAH]

How do you like the Vynanse vs. Adderall XR? We tried Daytrana last year for the same reason (wearing off too quickly) but he turned nasty so we switched back. Adderall XR 20 mg works well in school, but rebound is a factor. We added a small dose in the afternoon (which i think helped) but he started losing weight and he doesn't have it to lose. I've thought about Vynanse, but I'm afraid to go through another transition only to find out it won't work well.

(BTW - I get my Adderall XR for $20/month with my insurance. I think Vynanse would be the same price. Supposedly, Adderall is going generic soon which would knock it down to $10/month on my plan)

We rate the Vyvanse (50mg...30mg just wasnt' enough) a 9/10...and I would have given Adderall XR a 6/10. The Adderall was wearing off way to early. This is the first time in my sons life he feels confident and good about his efforts!!! Our Vyvanse co-pay is $40 but worth it in more ways than one!!!

Any other Vyvanse parents have an issue with it not wearing off fast enough? My son has been struggling to fall asleep at night...that is why I wouldn't rate it a 10/10.

HTH!

 

[LAH LAH]

...Also, we have noticed a couple other issues with DS. DS' main diagnosis is asperger's syndrome with the added ADHD behaviors. While the Vyvanse has been amazing on the ADHD behaviors, it aggravates some of the Asperger's behaviors--makes DS even less social and increases his anxiety...

The same is so for my son (he has PDD...pervasive developmental disorder...ADHD...and Tourettes)...but it has been explained to me that those "new" issues have always been there...and as soon as you are conquering the ADHD and obvious issues the others tend to be more noticable. The Vyvanse makes my sons Tourettes more pronounced...but I found Adderall did too...and for him no meds is not an option. We are lucky enough to have found a private school that caters to his social and emotional needs...other wise this boy with an IQ of 147 would be in special ed.

 

[ameraumi]

I think you cannot get a 3 month prescription for ADHD meds. They are really strict -- must be hand written Rx (cannot be faxed or phoned in)...must be filled within 7 days of being written. Must not try to refill it too soon...

Not true. I currently have a 3 mos prescription here for DS. The Meijer pharmacy called the insurance company to make sure it was ok to fill and got the ok. You can also do the 3 mos mail in program thru most insurance companies.

For a 30 day fill it is $45. But if I do a 3 mos supply I am only charged $90. This is for Concerta 54mg with BCBS.

 

[joellyn23]

Not true. I currently have a 3 mos prescription here for DS. The Meijer pharmacy called the insurance company to make sure it was ok to fill and got the ok. You can also do the 3 mos mail in program thru most insurance companies.

For a 30 day fill it is $45. But if I do a 3 mos supply I am only charged $90. This is for Concerta 54mg with BCBS.

This is great to know!! Thank you

 

[debbi801]

Any other Vyvanse parents have an issue with it not wearing off fast enough? My son has been struggling to fall asleep at night...that is why I wouldn't rate it a 10/10.

DS has always had issues falling to sleep every night, so we haven't noticed anything new with him on Vyvanse.

The same is so for my son (he has PDD...pervasive developmental disorder...ADHD...and Tourettes)...but it has been explained to me that those "new" issues have always been there...and as soon as you are conquering the ADHD and obvious issues the others tend to be more noticable. The Vyvanse makes my sons Tourettes more pronounced...but I found Adderall did too...and for him no meds is not an option. We are lucky enough to have found a private school that caters to his social and emotional needs...other wise this boy with an IQ of 147 would be in special ed.

This is an interesting take on things. Does your DS take anything else? We're beginning to contemplate something for the anxiety, but waiting for our next meeting with the neuro-psych to discuss it.