Just diagnosed with colitis...given Budesonide $$$$

Look to Good Rx or other pharmacy discount programs. For 90 pills, which is typically 3 pills a day for first few weeks, o see anywhere from $35’to $75.

As a fellow patient of this problem, you really don’t have medication alternatives if you have microscopic colitis

Budesonide is a steroid. My friend, who has ulcerative colitis, takes a different steroid, the most often prescribed prednisone, which is very affordable. Is that an alternative for you? Budesonide may be the best option (see below) but there are other steroids that may also work and cost less.

Just found this online:
"Budesonide is a steroid medicine used to treat ulcerative colitis12345. It is an anti-inflammatory drug that works by decreasing the body's natural defense response2. Budesonide is targeted to the intestine and is broken down by the liver before it affects the rest of the body, so it usually has fewer side effects than other corticosteroids,"

Sadly, Prednisone is not terribly effective. Microscopic is different than ulcerative colitis. I’m telling you, it can be affordable. Maybe not at your normal Pharmacy but it is indeed affordable if you do a little homework on GoodRx or Other discount prescription websites. Just google them.

Here’s a scholarly comparative summary of prednisone v Budesonid

Prednisone leads to a reduction in colonic inflammation, but not in the thickness of the collagen band [16,154,155]. As compared with budesonide, prednisone is associated with a lower response rate (53 versus 83 percent), more side effects, and a higher risk of relapse when therapy is withdrawn [155,156].

I would suggest you go to GoodRx.com - you don’t need a membership. Put on what the doc wrote a script for - like (90) 3mg budesonide pills.

Let’s assume you will be put on same initial regiment I was and that is a 12 week plan:

Pills are 3mg.
9 mg/day for 8 weeks and then 6 mg for 2 weeks then 3 mg for 2 weeks then off the medication

So your first 30 days is 90 pills.
I’m attaching a picture of what is found on Good Rx. There is no rhyme nor reason in pricing from pharmacy to pharmacy. So don’t waste your breath seeing if CVS will honor same price that shows for Walgreens. Someone in a glass tower decided what they would sign up for so it’s an is. BUT all Pharmacies are adept at using these discount programs.

$15.59 at Walgreens vs $411.59 at CVS. So you call Walgreens or go there, tell them you need to find best price on 90 3mg budesonide pills and will have your doc call it in to them if they will confirm price on GoodRx. Have it pulled up on your phone and show the code for that price. They will key it in and make sure they get the same. Then you call or message your doc where to call it in.

Lot of work but worth it. I hope things helpful.

I second the recommendation to use Good Rx or another discount option. Or ask your pharmacist what discount programs they accept and go with one of those. I'm on Budesonide for collagenous colitis and it helps trememdously!

Doesn’t it?? Miracle drug for me. I was a prisoner in my home for seven months

I wasn't quite a prisoner but timed any errands very, very carefully! I started Budesonide two days before Thanksgiving, and it allowed me to go to my son's house for dinner on Thanksgiving Day, and actually eat. He lives an hour away and previously I wasn't going any farther than 30 minutes from home - and only when I was pretty certain I was going to be safe!

Well I had two go bugs and antibiotics for both and consequential c-diff so that took up 5 of the 7 months before the biopsies

You all have been so very helpful. Thank You. The prescription goes into the pharmacy tomorrow. I will call the pharmacist and talk over these options. I think I am going to see if their price is similar to the Walgreens price and if not I probably will do the Walgreen Goodrx path that was explained so well above ( with a picture...looks just like my phone 🙂 )

It took me 4 days for it to take hold and
It was so liberating to just go through a drive thru or pick up my groceries. It’s the little things 🙂