1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Arikayce vs Amikacin

Posted by marmee26 @marmee26, Sep 16 8:43am

Hi All, I’m fairly new to this group and appreciate any insight offered. I also recognize that everyone responds to therapy differently. That being said, my co-pay for Arikayce is very steep. The prescribing physician has offered Amikacin in lieu of Arikayce. I am aware that these two vary in how the body processes them. Question- has anyone in this group recovered fully from MAC on Amikacin? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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robinzemp | @robinzemp | Sep 25 1:20pm
In reply to @harrynsc "Robin, Which Part D plan do you have? Thanks, Harry" + (show)
@harrynsc

Robin,
Which Part D plan do you have?
Thanks,
Harry

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Part D is included in my supplement plan which is the SC state retirees plan.

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Mary | @mjb24 | Sep 26 11:22am
In reply to @marmee26 "Thank you @mjb24. My doctor offered IV Amikacin today at my appointment. We are considering our..." + (show)
@marmee26

Thank you @mjb24. My doctor offered IV Amikacin today at my appointment. We are considering our options… yes, it does seem rather unfair- especially because choosing the government insurance is required once a person turns 65. Failure to do so will result in being financially penalized. The private insurance I had prior to age 65 was very good. Oh well.. I remain grateful for so many other things, I’ll choose to focus on those. Be well.

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I talked to my Arikayce coordinator today and there is another patient assistance program to help with co-pays if you are on Medicare or another federal insurance. She told me that most people are covered one way or another. Just wanted to share that update.

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1 reply
marmee26 | @marmee26 | Sep 27 11:32am
In reply to @mjb24 "I talked to my Arikayce coordinator today and there is another patient assistance program to help..." + (show)
@mjb24

I talked to my Arikayce coordinator today and there is another patient assistance program to help with co-pays if you are on Medicare or another federal insurance. She told me that most people are covered one way or another. Just wanted to share that update.

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Thanks Mary

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lvnl | @lvnl | Sep 28 7:12pm

Here is the medicare extra help info. What hasn't been made widely known is they removed the asset cap about 2 years ago so a lot of people who weren't eligible are eligible now.
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help

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harrynsc | @harrynsc | Sep 29 4:39pm
In reply to @lilianna "I was on IV amikacin for four months after I got a bad reaction to rifabutin..." + (show)
@lilianna

I was on IV amikacin for four months after I got a bad reaction to rifabutin ( high liver enzymes) . I had it 3 times a week and was going to the infusion place. I had a port( a PEP line I think it’s called which was put in the hospital setting) in my arm and it was very convenient except I got allergic to the dressing that covered the port. Otherwise I felt stronger. True for about 2 hours after the infusion I was tired and I believe I lost some hair but It helped me a lot and I believe that was the time I converted to being MAC negative. The only thing to remember is please make sure they check you kidney and liver function- it was done once a week. This was my experience. Good luck to you. If your blood work is fine you should be all right.

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It might have been a PICC line:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/picc-line/about/pac-20468748
Harry

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