Anyone take new drug Camzyos (mavacamten) for HCM?

Posted by captainterry @captainterry, May 25, 2022

Since FDA approval in April has anyone (non-clinical trial patient) actually obtained a prescription and had it filled? If so, when and where was the cardiologist located? Is the registration process for doctor/patient/Rx taking a long time for this much anticipated drug?
Thanks from a fellow patient!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

@debra1954

That’s amazing! I live in Myrtle Beach SC. Where did you find a cardiologist who is “ licensed”? I have yet to find a cardiologist who will even discuss this medication let alone prescribe it.

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Hi @debra1954
If you call 1-833-628-7367 and provide them your zip code where you live, they can give you the name with a phone number of a "Camzyos certified Cardiologist" in your area so you can make an appointment with the Cardiologist.

Explain clearly to them your health condition such as HOCM (if you have that hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) and they can refer you to a great Cardiologist. I did search in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and found that there is a "Grand Strand Heart and Vascular Care - Myrtle Beach" but I am not sure if they have a certified Camzyos Cardiologist. Just call the number noted above and they will help you. God bless you and I hope all works very well for you.

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@boatsforlife

Hi @junecc . You didn't specifically ask me about this but I will chime in anyway. I started Camzyos just over a year ago at age 59. I have never had any side effects whatsoever. I've been on Omeprazole for something like 10 years. I **think** both Tagamet and Omeprazole are used to treat the same kinds of problem. Omeprazole was one of the medications explicitly referred to in the Camzyos warnings. I had several conversations with my cardiologist, my pharmacist, my family doctor and my Camzyos REMS program nurse case manager, and all of them advised that, in my case, I could continue the Omeprazole while taking Camzyos but that I should (i) watch out for any problems - of which there have been none - and (ii) take the Omeprazole in the morning and the Camzyos at bedtime. I have no medical expertise and you should not take this as advise for you - listen to your experts, not the internet - but in my case there have been no issues except that I am no longer allowed my beloved grapefruit. Good luck with your treatment!

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Thank you so much for this positive feedback. I have concerns about the hassle factors for the first 3 months. I'm expecting my first shipment tomorrow, because of a call from Bristol Meyers Squibb. BMS told me I should be hearing from Cover My Meds. Nothing so far.
I read a few comments about headaches, but I'm going into this with a positive attitude. I'm an active 64 year old. I walk 25 miles a week and weight lift 3 times per week. I'm just having issues with stairs and hills. Who knows, maybe pickleball is in my future!
Thanks for the reply. I'll keep you posted.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
June

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@captainterry

Still feeling great on camzyos after 2 years and 5 months on 2.5mg. No side effects to date. I take 3 generic meds for pressure, rate, and cholesterol. No other meds so no restrictions or reactions. Regarding costs and insurance arrangements, my cardiology support staff took care of setting that up along with the required clinical documentation. An experienced team with HOCM should know how to get that done.
Being older and on Medicare helps. This and a combination of a private Medicare Rx supplement I had, BMSquib, Healthwell Foundation, and CVS Specialty pharmacy got it done. This was all coordinated by my cardiology team with a little online paperwork by myself.
Blessings and God's speed.

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Hi Captainterry,

Do you know what your gradient was when you started on Camzyos? I just learned in June of 23 mine was zero while taking Norpace. This past August it was measured at 76. Why I'm going on Camzyos as soon as my insurance approves.

Thank you again,
June

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@manuelpo

Hi @debra1954
If you call 1-833-628-7367 and provide them your zip code where you live, they can give you the name with a phone number of a "Camzyos certified Cardiologist" in your area so you can make an appointment with the Cardiologist.

Explain clearly to them your health condition such as HOCM (if you have that hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) and they can refer you to a great Cardiologist. I did search in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and found that there is a "Grand Strand Heart and Vascular Care - Myrtle Beach" but I am not sure if they have a certified Camzyos Cardiologist. Just call the number noted above and they will help you. God bless you and I hope all works very well for you.

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Yes, that is what I am looking for, certified Camzyos Cardiologist. Thank you. I did look on Squibb website and it listed 3 but when I reached out to nurse receptionist my voicemail wasn’t returned, or replied they can’t share that information until
I actually make an appointment. Two cardiologist are 2 hrs away in Charleston which a long way to drive without knowing if Dr does in fact still work with Camzyos and is positive about outcomes.

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@debra1954

Yes, that is what I am looking for, certified Camzyos Cardiologist. Thank you. I did look on Squibb website and it listed 3 but when I reached out to nurse receptionist my voicemail wasn’t returned, or replied they can’t share that information until
I actually make an appointment. Two cardiologist are 2 hrs away in Charleston which a long way to drive without knowing if Dr does in fact still work with Camzyos and is positive about outcomes.

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Please call call 1-833-628-7367 and provide them your zip code where you live, the will give you the name of Cardiologists in your area so you do not need to travel 2 hours.

Best regards,

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@junecc

Thank you so much for this positive feedback. I have concerns about the hassle factors for the first 3 months. I'm expecting my first shipment tomorrow, because of a call from Bristol Meyers Squibb. BMS told me I should be hearing from Cover My Meds. Nothing so far.
I read a few comments about headaches, but I'm going into this with a positive attitude. I'm an active 64 year old. I walk 25 miles a week and weight lift 3 times per week. I'm just having issues with stairs and hills. Who knows, maybe pickleball is in my future!
Thanks for the reply. I'll keep you posted.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
June

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Hello again @junecc. I hope you are having good luck getting your insurance worked out. I've read other people being concerned about the hassle factor involved in having regular echos done but my view on it was this: I have to get an echo once a month for the first three months - about the same as going and getting a haircut. And it takes about the same amount of time as a haircut. After that, once things settle into a routine, it's only once every 3 months. I've been on it now for about 14 months, and at 3-month intervals I can never even remember when the next one is due - it's become that much of a nothing in the "hassle" category. For me, given how much the oHCM was restricting me, it was a tiny price to pay. It also gave me a lot of comfort knowing that after 16 (17?) years of undiagnosed, unmonitored deterioration, I was being monitored regularly, and any negative responses would be caught quickly. Every person is different, of course, and your experience will probably not be quite the same as mine, but I encourage you to not let a (really minor) short term initial hassle distract from what could be (hopefully will be) an immensely positive long term benefit. Best wishes!!

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@boatsforlife

Hello again @junecc. I hope you are having good luck getting your insurance worked out. I've read other people being concerned about the hassle factor involved in having regular echos done but my view on it was this: I have to get an echo once a month for the first three months - about the same as going and getting a haircut. And it takes about the same amount of time as a haircut. After that, once things settle into a routine, it's only once every 3 months. I've been on it now for about 14 months, and at 3-month intervals I can never even remember when the next one is due - it's become that much of a nothing in the "hassle" category. For me, given how much the oHCM was restricting me, it was a tiny price to pay. It also gave me a lot of comfort knowing that after 16 (17?) years of undiagnosed, unmonitored deterioration, I was being monitored regularly, and any negative responses would be caught quickly. Every person is different, of course, and your experience will probably not be quite the same as mine, but I encourage you to not let a (really minor) short term initial hassle distract from what could be (hopefully will be) an immensely positive long term benefit. Best wishes!!

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Thank you, and I totally agree. Unfortunately an echo is an all day event for me bc I don’t have a center of excellence near me. 2 1/2 hour drive, so 5 hours plus the echo. Because my gradient increased significantly, I’m anxious to see how the drug can help. It will be worth it!

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