Good afternoon. I am in the process of renewing my prescription for Valacyclovir (1g 3x daily). I thought I found a provider for Northstar with our CVS Caremark membership (substantial, and I do mean substantial, savings with using CVS Caremark). To give you some idea of my dilemma my copay would go from $105 for a 90 day supply to $800 from a local small pharmacy here. Yesterday I was told they would be able to accommodate my request. However, after getting my GP to send them the prescription, I found out today that they may not be able to provide the Northstar brand. It seems their best alternative is from TEVA. To my knowledge I have not used this manufacturer. The brand I've been using for the last 8 weeks is from CAMBER. I have had marked improvement these last weeks, but I thought I would try to get Northstar if possible. So I wanted to see if anyone had an opinion about this. I need to make a decision soon since I only have a few day's medication left. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Unless you're loaded, it looks like your decision is already pretty much made for you. I have not heard anything bad about TEVA. Mylar seems to be the nasty culprit for fake drugs.
Thanks for your candor. It seems to be a no-brainer to me too. I just wanted to see if anyone had a bad impression of TEVA as a provider. As always I appreciate your reply.
I hope it works out! If symptoms start coming back, then talk to your doctor about getting something else. Famvir is also an option that has worked for many folks.
Scot_tom- Did you mean MYLAN when talking about bad generics? I just got my doc to agree to anti-viral and this is who my Kroger filled with.
Yes, sorry that was a typo. It has a ton of bad reviews from shingles and herpes boards. Several folks here as well, including me. But that's not to say it never works.
I did not find relief with Mylan after having success with Northstar. My prescription provider no longer carries Northstar so they sent me Lucid. It took a while but Lucid seems to be working as the last two weeks have been good. Best of luck in getting one that works and is affordable.
Thanks for the good info. I've just started yesterday, so it's not to late to get it changed. Or get a different brand next time. You guys are the best. Hopefully, one day I'll be in a remission and have tons of info to help with. Right now, I can only tell you what doesn't work for me.
As you will find, it seems each of us have different experiences with different approaches. So what works for one person may not work for everyone. However, I too am so thankful I can come to this Forum to try to learn as much as I can from others of us who suffer with this illness. Sometimes it helps to just know someone else understands. Yesterday truly thru me for a loop since I was doing so well. But as a wise contributor (thanks Scott) from this Forum reminds me, it is sometimes two steps forward. one step back. I plan on taking the high dosage for the foreseeable future (at least two more months) before I submit to other more complicated options. Hang in there Coach Betz, it probably will be a bumpy ride.
FG, on your Northstar Valtrex question, I have never heard of it. I was receiving Northstar brand generic Valacyclovir and it was effective. It was the same price as any other generic valacyclovir that they have been sending me. Unfortunately, my provider no longer carries the Northstar manufactured items. What they told me on the phone, is that Northstar only has one distributor (I believe it is McClellen, but don't quote me on that) and my prescription provider no longer has a contract with that distributor.
Thank you for responding Teesdale. I think I've found a local pharmacy that has the Northstar Valacyclovir. I'm waiting to hear back from them once my GP phones in the script. Still hopeful that the antiviral route will EVENTUALLY provide some consistent control. The set back yesterday thru me for a loop.
Don't overthink the bad day. It happens. Don't let the stress of thinking about that ruin more days for you. Forward.