Aromasin: insurance switched drug companies on me! Concerned

Anonymous

Dear all, I've been taking the Greenstone brand of Aromasin (exemestane) for nearly 2 years. I've had little side effects on this particular drug company's Aromasin. Now I'm leery of being forced to switch to Mylan, which is what Walgreens just told me my insurance company will only cover (not sure why insurance won't let me use Greenstone brand, which I've been on since I began the drug--probably makes more $ for the insurance company??).

I've heard that sometimes switching brands can cause side effects, and since I'm tolerating this drug so well I'm a bit concerned. Should I be? Can anyone shed any light on this subject? Normally I wouldn't worry, but I had such awful side effects on Arimidex that switching to Greenstone exemestane was a godsend, and now I'm nervous.

Thanks ladies!

Claire in AZ

LisaAlissa

Claire,

Check in with your insurance company. They may require a "generic" rather than brand name, but it's entirely possible that it's Walgreen's that's changed the specific generic they sell of your AI from Greenstone to Mylan. (Walgreen's just changed the generic maker for my Mother's letrozole...maybe this is when they change their suppliers? Who knows.)

You may still be able to get the Greenstone brand from another drugstore. And your insurance company customer service line should be able to tell you if they are just specifying a "generic" or a specific generic maker.

If it's Walgreen's, your insurance company may be able to ID other drugstores which you can use for the "best" insurance drug benefits. You may be able to find the Greenstone elsewhere. And contacting Greenstone may be able to tell you which chains near you sell their version of your AI.

If it's your insurance company, you may have to do a "trial" of the new generic, and petition for an exception if the new generic maker doesn't work for you.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

doxie

Or the different manufacturer won't matter. I was on Aromasin for 4.5 years and never noticed that different manufacturers caused SEs for me. This seems a problem for those on the other AIs, but I've not heard much about it for Aromasin/exemestane.

Let's hope this is one of the few non-issues that come with BC treatment.

ElaineTherese

Like doxie, I've been on a number of different generic versions of exemestane, and I've never noticed any difference. But, definitely call your insurance company to find out what's going on.

Anonymous

Thank you, LisaEllissa, ElaineThere, and doxie. I expressed concern to the pharmacist, and she seemed to know what I was talking about: said that "it does make a difference in many drugs (diff manufacturers) but not for this particular drug".

I do find that Aromasin makes my hips ache from time to time, and that it does cause intermittent anxiety. But I know how to manage those side effects so far. It is so much better than Arimidex for me (rage, anxiety, bloating ,weight gain, trigger joints) that I don't want any of those from a new drug maker.

I thought about calling different pharms to see if they carry Greenstone. It would be good to get all my rx's filled at one place, but I think I'll give this new maker a whirl first for a few weeks, then see. When I stopped Arimidex and switched to Aromasin the transformation and lessening of side effects came within days.

Claire in AZ