Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 02:11 AM
I just got a notice from my insurance company that I have to move to generic Imatinib. I believe my oncologist voiced an opinion that he would not prescribe it because he wasn't sure about its effectiveness.
I'm seeing him this coming Friday, November 11, and I'll get a firmer answer from him. I'm a little nervous about the move. Is anyone else taking the generic? Is it helping? Are you having any side-effects?
Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014: 3.18 0.91
2015: 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.55
2016: 0.71 0.66
(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016: 0.42 0.13 0.45
2017: 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.34
Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 02:23 AM
Everything I have heard is that the generic imatinib is equivalent to Gleevec in the US, unlike some other countries such as India.
The FDA has strict rules in approving generics.
Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 02:37 AM
There are three generic Imatinibs in the U.S. market, manufactured by Sun, Teva, and Apotex. The Teva and Apotex generics have been available in the Canadian market for some time.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 08:11 PM
Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 08:24 PM
I started on the generic this past 3/15/16. So far, I have had absolutely no change in side effects. I was on 400mg Gleevec since May 2015. I was very nervous as well but my doctor assured me that it would be fine. So far, I continue to go down in my numbers. Next check up is in early December.
You are doing great Gagne; thanks for posting your summary in your Signature. It really helps.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 08 November 2016 - 10:26 PM
Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014: 3.18 0.91
2015: 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.55
2016: 0.71 0.66
(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016: 0.42 0.13 0.45
2017: 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.34
Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 07:55 AM
I have been using generics for close to 6 years now and I do not experience any side effects. Please message me if you need more details
Advanced Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 05:22 PM
Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014: 3.18 0.91
2015: 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.55
2016: 0.71 0.66
(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016: 0.42 0.13 0.45
2017: 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.34
Advanced Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 06:45 PM
Edenation, what generic are you using for 6 years? Generic gleevec (imatinib) has been out for less than a year. Are there other generics?
Dom, generic imatinibs from India, made by numerous companies, have been available since 2013; they sell for as little as $400/yr.. They aren't available in the U.S..
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 08:07 PM
Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 09:06 PM
Yes I am using the ones from India, the pharma company did reverse engineering on Glivec way before other companies did it. Possible for you to import into the US?
Advanced Member
Posted 09 November 2016 - 11:18 PM
Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014: 3.18 0.91
2015: 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.55
2016: 0.71 0.66
(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016: 0.42 0.13 0.45
2017: 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.34
Advanced Member
Posted 10 November 2016 - 12:17 AM
Generic Imatinib Mesylate is becoming very attractive to seniors, such as myself, who are on Medicare. On Medicare, seniors are required to pay a percentage of their drug costs. If a senior is on an expensive patented drug, that first Rx refill of the year is a very expensive proposition. On Medicare, if I was taking a patented TKI, for the first refill of the year in 2017 I would be paying 33% of the first $3700, 40% of the next $1,250 (the donut hole), and with Kaiser, $12 in the catastrophic phase. Once a senior clears the donut hole, for most Medicare patients the rest of his/her refills for the calendar year, while in the catastrophic phase, will still be 5% of the Rx cost.
As I have mentioned before, for 2017, Kaiser has classified generic imatinib mesylate as a Tier 2 drug, requiring Medicare patients only a $15 copay per monthly refill; a total of $180 for the calendar year. At least that is what it says in the booklet.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 10 November 2016 - 01:19 PM
I was diagnosed in February 2016, the month Gleevec went generic (I was the one who told my doctor about it - for this and other reasons I have a new doctor now), so I have never taken anything but generic Imatinib for my CML. It is manufactured by Sun. I have had a good response to it so far and minimal side effects. My insurance co-pay is $5.00 per month.
Dx 2/16: PCR = 59.4%
BMB showed second translocation.
400 mg generic Imatinib
5/16: PCR = 0.88%
8/16: PCR = 0.04%
11/16 PCR = 0.01%
2/17 PCR < 0.01%
2/17 BMB results: all translocations gone.
6/17 PCR = 0.03%
9/17 PCR = 0.01%
1/18 PCR = 0.01%
Advanced Member
Posted 10 November 2016 - 01:25 PM
I was diagnosed in February 2016, the month Gleevec went generic (I was the one who told my doctor about it - for this and other reasons I have a new doctor now), so I have never taken anything but generic Imatinib for my CML. It is manufactured by Sun. I have had a good response to it so far and minimal side effects. My insurance co-pay is $5.00 per month.
Dx 2/16: BCR/ABL p210=59.4
5/16: BCR/ABL p210=0.88
8/16: BCR/ABL p210=0.04
400 mg Imatinib
campanula, wishing you continued success on next week's BCR/ABL test.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 10 November 2016 - 08:05 PM
Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014: 3.18 0.91
2015: 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.55
2016: 0.71 0.66
(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016: 0.42 0.13 0.45
2017: 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.34
New Member
Posted 14 November 2016 - 09:53 AM
I have been on Generic Imitinab by Sun Pharmaceuticals since April when I was diagnosed. I don't know about the ones from foreign countries, but, I am happy to say that as of this month I have had a MMR. I would not worry about the effectiveness of this product. Good luck!
Advanced Member
Posted 14 November 2016 - 12:54 PM
Generic Imatinib Mesylate first entered the U.S. market on Feb, 1, 2016. Until Aug. 1, 2016, when Teva and Apotex also entered the U.S. market, Sun Pharmaceuticals held a sole proprietorship and their generic was priced just a few percent below the price of Novartis's Gleevec (upwards of $145,000/yr.). Since August 1 the price of generic imatinib mesylate has begun to recede with the latest showing generic imatinib mesylate available in the U.S. market, at approximately 40% of the price of Novartis's Gleevec. To note, Teva and Apotex's generic imatinib mesylate are available in the Canadian market for $800/yr., so there is a long way to go before there is parity in the U.S. market.
The escalating cost of healthcare, partially attributable to the rapidly rising cost of Rx drugs, is hurting all of us.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
Advanced Member
Posted 14 November 2016 - 04:35 PM
Advanced Member
Posted 15 November 2016 - 12:24 PM
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