[passmeby]

I take OxyContin 60mg. The cost of it per month is just over $500. I have insurance now so it's not a concern, but soon I will not have insurance. Is there another drug equal to OxyContin that is cheaper? I have a consult with my doc on Wednesday but I just want to be prepared, as I don't know if he knows the prices of things... Also, the Oxy is always name brand, I don't know why they always give me name brand, but they do, and I don't know how much the price difference is for a generic but I think it's still quite expensive and I've heard bad things about it's performance and quality.

I took Fentanyl before but disliked it very much and it was rather expensive too, around $200 to 300 or so/month I think.

About $100 would be my comfortable limit.

[jrhea]

Opioid conversion charts are readily available for download and can assist oneself in determining the amount of an alternative opioid.

http://www.acpinternist.org/archives...ain_charts.pdf

Opioid Comparison | Pharmer.org

Buprenorphine
This drug is a semi-synthetic narcotic derived from thebaine. Buprenorphine was initially marketed in the United States as an analgesic (Buprenex®). In 2002, two new products (Suboxone® and Subutex®) were approved for the treatment of narcotic addiction. Like methadone and LAAM, buprenorphine is potent (30 to 50 times the analgesic potency of morphine), has a long duration of action, and does not need to be injected. Unlike the other treatment drugs, buprenorphine produces far less respiratory depression and is thought to be safer in overdose. All buprenorphine products are currently in Schedule III of the CSA and is relatively inexpensive.

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist for professional advice/pricing.

Hope this helps.

[passmeby]

I did have the consult with my doc already, he switched me to another drug (Morphine Sulfate 60mg/4x a day). But I HATE it, in fact I think I had an allergic reaction to it so I stopped taking it a day or so ago. I'm still waiting on him to get back to me with what to do next! We had discussed the following: Fentanyl (which I had already used and didn't like), Morphine (which I didn't think I liked but agreed to try again anyway-regrettably) and Dilaudid-which I think I will try next. We discussed methadone as well but he didn't really want to put me on that because he said you can get major tooth problems from it. Risk outwieghed benefit, in his opinion. So I heeded his advice.

He also told me about Purdue's (maker of OxyContin) prescription assistance program, but he didn't know how much they would help. I'm in the process of applying, hopefully I can get the assistance as I have no problems with taking the Oxy whatsoever, I prefer it highly over anything else I have tried.

I will check out the charts you posted. Thanks!

I think in the meantime while I am waiting to see if I get this assistance I will try the Dilaudid (hydromorphone I think it's known as in general?), I have to replace this morphine anyway, I just can't take it! So might as well give it a try!