Wanting info on Biologics

Some physicians have samples of Dupixent. Maybe you can try a sample or two and see if it helps. It is supposed to help within days or weeks. If it helps, then you can spend more energy trying to get qualified for a discount program.

For folks on Medicare Part D programs, starting 1/1/2025, you’re supposed to have a maximum out of pocket of $2000 for the entire year for drugs. That should even cover biologics. Check with your Medicare Part D insurer to see how to sign up for it.

Thank you for the info.

This is great advice. I had to pay for my first dose and I had a bad reaction so didn’t continue. I believe it is a good medication. I just have a major neck injury, headaches etc so it affected that. Our doctor just switched my daughter from Xolair to Dupixent because she was getting way too many infections.

This will be my third year on Tezspire. Just waiting for approval from Amgen Safety Net to cover the cost. It has made a big difference in my asthma.

At first my pulmonologist ordered Tezspire and then before I even tried it he changed it to Dupixent and I’m not even sure why.

Thank you for your input. I know everyone reacts differently to meds so I just need to get brave enough to try one of the Biologics and hope I don’t have awful side effects. My other option is to stay on low dose prednisone daily and continue to use my albuterol inhaler as needed.

My pulmonologist at Mayo likes #1 Dupixent and #2 Teszpire. The reason her patients sometimes can’t do Dupixent is due to insurance not paying for it and they almost always approve Teszpire.

I am a big believer in them and it is just a matter of what works for you. Keep trying until you find the right one. I REALLY like Fasenra (one shot every eight weeks) but because I have had a lot of viral infections she thinks I should try Teszpire. I have emphysema so need to reduce the amount of infections I get.

They keep talking about “personalized medicine,” but really are all guessing based on the evidence from clinical trials and our particular symptoms and profile as to which treatment(s) will cause the greatest benefit with fewest side effects. We are fortunate that there ARE these different biologic treatments but it IS confusing for our healthcare providers to figure out which one MAY work best for each of us. Be sure to keep track of how you do when on whatever you try. Don’t get discouraged because if one has intolerable side effects, another one may work very well.

One day, maybe they will have better ways to help personalize our treatments so we can expect positive results with few to no side effects, but we aren’t there yet. We are always “trying” the new treatment and the providers can only adjust and switch (or continue), based on our feedback as to how it is (or isn’t) helping and how, plus what side effects we may encounter.

Well said!