Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Remicade VS Enbrel

Hello Everyone.

I have been on the Enbrel waiting list since 12-22-01 and have since started Remicade. I just got a letter from Enbrel saying my wait is over ( I had all but given up hope) so I was wondering outside of the difference in price Remicade eating my insurance company out of $2,500 every 2 months ($7,500 in 3 treatments in 8 weeks) or Enbrel at a modest $1,200 per month of which I will pay a $10 co pay.. My real question is has anyone tried both and if so PLEASE post your experience and or advice.

Thank you and take care

Frankie

It is a good question Frankie - one I would like the answer to also. I have been on remicade since January this year and am ready to get off it since I have not had the kind of response other people have had and I am on the highest dosage you can get. I also got my letter for enbrel and will talk to my dr. in December about switching. I will let you know what he says.

Louise

Hello Louise,

Thanks for showing some interest in my post, I'm sure others will be placed in the same situation as Enbrel becomes avaliable. I called my rhumy's office Friday and should have a response sometime Monday. I will keep you posted when I hear anything I will post again.

Frankie

Hello Louise,

My rhumy called back, Enbrel is a go! He said there isn't much of a difference in advantages of one over the other. Enbrel is just easier for me, I don't have to drive an hour to have an iv stuck in my hand for 3 hr's. Remicade seems to stop working too early so hopefully Enbrel will give more consistant relief. I would suggest contacting your Dr. to expedite the process, according to the letter you only have 10 business days for enrollment upon receiving the letter.

Good luck and take care

Frankie

Frankie,
I know that my rhuemy wanted me to try Remy but I didn't want to. I was waiting for Enbrel since a few other people had good results. I was on the waiting list since 11/2001. I just started with Enbrel. I gave myself the first shot yesterday. I was on Kineret shots(daily) but didn't see a good improvement. I received my letter from Enbrel and called right away. I received my first three months of Enbrel without a co-payment. I don't know who paid for the first three month supply. Anyway I hope the best for us. Some meds works on some but not all. Good luck.
Dan

Thanks for the info Frankie. I called immediately to get my enrollment number. I explained to Enbrel I would be seeing Dr. in December and thought I would be on it late December and that was fine for them. I have another remicade treatment Nov 18 and more blood tests after that. Since my insurance denied it last time, I am trying to build my case for the enbrel. You would think the money alone would do it - $8,500 month for remicade and $1200 month for enbrel but they have two different departments that approve drugs and the treatments. I really hopes it works for you. Keep me informed.

Louise

wow, no co-pay.

So Dan, after you got your enrollment number, you got a perscription, called insurance for approval, took the script to the pharmacy, and there was no co-pay?

I'm just trying to see how all this works.

I got my letter this week and called. They asked me when I would be getting a script filled. I told them about the study. They are unsure if they can give me a number. I told them that I did not want to wait until the study is over to get a #.
They are to call me back in a day or 2.

My study for Enbrel is until next Sept.
However, my insurance company changes in Jan and I'm looking into the procedure and how much it will cost me. It will be covered under the medical part of the insurance not pharmacy. I will have to meet a $500 deductable, and than they will pay 90%. I would still have to pay $120 a month. This is not too bad....however I like free better.

I'm going to start a post on the cost and find out how others are being covered.



Betty

I have been on both. I started with Enbrel about a 15 months ago. For some strange reason I developed Pancreatitus from Enbrel, very rare from what I am told. I haven't had any alcohol for at least 10 years. I started back on enbrel after Dr.s removed my gallbladder(what they first thought caused the pancreatitus) and got it (pancreatitus)back in same time as first.

I then went on Remicade. It does work, but unless my AS has flared worse than a year ago, the remicade is not quite working the same. I believe it is very close though. I felt a little better when I was on the Enbrel. I hope this helps.

Hi Betty,
Yes, I received the letter from Enbrel. I called them, they gave me a number. Then I called my rhuemy and he mailed me a prescription and his staff send for authorization throught my insurance. I took the prescription to the pharmacy and they said my insurance will cover it. Three days later I went to pick up the Enbrel. They gave me three month supply and I didn't pay a penny. I don't know why, but I wasnt going to ask why not....

I had Blue Cross Healthkeeper, but they are going to drop the post office. So I have to go with another Insurance company for next year(which I already picked). Postoffice is paying for my insurance since I got diability retirement through them. Well, they pay for most of the cost. I pay about a fifth of what the insurance company ask for. Anyway good luck on your new post/threat. I will keep you up dated on my next prescription.
Dan

My wife had several remicade infusions and caused her extreme side affects, not to mention the expense. She is now on a Med called Kineret. It is a once daily self administered subdermal injection, (usually in the stomach area). It is somewhat expensive ($1100.00) USD per month, but there are no side affects and it seems to have stopped the degradation of her SED rate.There is even hope it may reverse it. I would encouage anyone taking remicade to look into this treatment.

God bless and take care.