Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zolar1 on April 10, 2011 at 8:37am

Victoza is a substitute for Byetta. See if they will rewrite the Rx for you.

I tried the 1.2 dosage, but it didn't work as it was supposed to. My 2hr PP was sky high, but then 2 hours after that I went Hypo (into the low 50's).

So, I just stick to my insulin....

Note: The makers of Victoza must be doing something LEGAL for the insurance companies to not want to pay.... no kickbacks perhaps?

Permalink Reply by Jeremios on April 10, 2011 at 9:09am

Don't give up. Push back. Insurers will cave if there is enough pressure.

I thought my insurer (Aetna) would not cover it either, but I now pay $45 a month copay for two pens a month, after getting a note from my doc saying I didn't do well on Byetta.

Permalink Reply by moonchild on April 14, 2011 at 9:07pm

Thanks Jeremois! My husband went in and talked to the director of human resouces and he tried again and got it 3/4 covered! Yahoo!!! I can afford 25.00 per pen, since so far it's only one month a pen I'm needing. Even if I end up on full dose, 75.00 is a whole heck of a lot more affordable then 300.00/mo!

Permalink Reply by Jeremios on April 15, 2011 at 9:03am

Great news. That's what we need, more active patient consumers. Good luck on the meds. It's done a lot for me.

Permalink Reply by moonchild on April 10, 2011 at 9:10am

Thanks Zolar,

From what I've read Victoza isn't a substitute for Byetta, but rather an alternative to Byetta. Byetta won't work for me since it's a two times a day medication that has to be taken 1 hour before a meal, and can't be taken after a meal. I'm way to scatter brained to remember to take the shots when I should, believe me. I can't even get my cloths out of the dryer before they wrinkle because I get too caught up in whatever I'm doing & the timer goes in one ear and out the other. I'm lucky if remember where my car keys or my purse are when I'm wanting to go out. I've even fogotten to give myself my Victoza shot once already and I've only been taking it for two weeks.

My Dr. finally gave in and redid my Metformin RX since I could never remember to take it twice a day. Now I only take it once a day and am ashamed to say I probably forget to take my meds altogether at least once every week or two. This is nothing new..scatterbrainness has been a life long battle (mom had it too...we drove my poor dad nuts between the two of us). So, needless to say, I know my limitations when it comes to taking medicine (which I never had to do until diagnosed with Diabetes 2) and trying to take Byetta twice a day and an hour before I eat, would be a disaster.

Hopefully the .06 will continue to work for me...it's done wonders for my sugar levels now. The lowest I've fallen is 78 (last night) and the highest I've been in the last two weeks was 164 and that because I tested too soon after a meal. Most the time it's running 100 - 120...down from averages in the 175 - 230 range on a regular basis. Victoza, for me, is amazing and something I'm willing to pay for, but I can't afford it at the tune of 300.00/mo. Surely, if I can stay on .06 it won't be near that. Anyone know how long a single pen lasts and how much it would cost?

Dustie

Permalink Reply by Michelle Hughes on April 11, 2011 at 8:42am

Are you in menopause? Because you sound so much like me.

Permalink Reply by moonchild on April 14, 2011 at 9:05pm

Michele, bless you, I'm a good 10 years past menopause. LOL! That's ok though, I did go through it quite early.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Hughes on April 11, 2011 at 8:42am

My insurance covered mine, and the doctor should have samples to give you. Does the doctor want you to go up to 1.8? I think the first pen lasted me a month.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on April 12, 2011 at 12:45pm

The first time the Dr prescribed it to me, the insurance company denied it. Told me I had to try more pills first. Now that I tried more pills besides just metformin without good results, they cover it.

Permalink Reply by Jeremios on April 20, 2011 at 12:00pm

Like a lot of T2s, I've been through the pharma zoo with Actos and many others. I'm now on Metformin, Glimepiride, and Victoza (1.8/day) and things are as good as I've seen them in a long time. My A1C is still over 7.5 but much better than in the past. I'm using 2 pens a month at this dose.

One thing that I noticed re the cost of Victoza is that my endo renewed my prescription at 3 pens a month. I think she miscalculated, thinking I was using more than I do, but the upshot is that the copay ($45/mo) is the same at 3 pens as it is at 2. This is a 50% savings for me so those who are struggling with the cost of Victoza should check into this with their insurance.

Permalink Reply by moonchild on April 21, 2011 at 3:50am

Jere,.

I'm so glad you are doing well and hope that A1C continues to drop. I'm on .6 dose and that's one pen a month, so if you are on 1.8 that should be 3 pens (.6 x 3). My husband just got my perscription filled, and they made a mistake thinking I was taking 1.2 and gave him two pens. I'll only use one, and I understand that they aren't any good after a month. Guess I'll find out because at the cost I'm going to try to use the 2nd pen the following month (which will be June) and we'll see how effective it is. I've started keeping mine in the fridge, even though the coldness makes the shot sting a bit when you give it (I never felt it when it was warm). My Doctor did warn me about that though, and said it's ok to leave it out of the fridge once you've started using it But much of what I read in here said it stays effective longer for many if it's kept in the fridge.

I think your prescription was filled correctly with three pens since you're on the highest dose.

Isn't it wonderful to know that your numbers are better under control now. Mine are still wonderful after the 1st full month on Vitoza (started the 22 of April, 2011). Still loving it. No weight loss though, but then I am on the lowest dose.

Permalink Reply by Jeremios on April 21, 2011 at 8:37am

A couple of things about dosage. I'm glad it's working for you but i think there's a misconception about the low dose---you're not supposed to stay on it for more than a week. You may not be getting the full value (it's a real medication not a homeopathy)

Here's what the dosing information says:

"The 0.6 mg dose is a starting dose intended to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms during initial titration, and is not effective for glycemic control. After one week at 0.6 mg per day, the dose should be increased to 1.2 mg. If the 1.2 mg dose does not result in acceptable glycemic control, the dose can be increased to 1.8 mg."

Regarding using it after the first dose, my understanding is that you have 30 days after it is stored outside the fridge. Here's what the official website says:

"Use your Victoza pen within 30 days after the first day it is stored outside the refrigerator. After these 30 days, throw away your Victoza pen even if some medicine is left in the pen."

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