Arikayce without the Big 3

Posted by mimifeels @mimifeels, Oct 1, 2023

Has anyone on here been on Arikayce without taking the Big 3?

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No, requirements are the big 3 without negative sputum for 6 months. The big 3 typically runs 18 months and 12 months after that negative sputum. Here is a good, readable post of this:
https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/prior-auth/drugs-pharmacy/commercial/a-g/PA-Med-Nec-Arikayce.pdf

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I was put on the Airikayce almost immediately when they found out that I had Mac with a cavity. I had been taking two antibiotics for 3 months, then put on the Airikayce. They did not make me wait 6 months because I had a cavity and my sputumn cultures were already negative once I started taking the antibiotics. I have not had any positive sputumn cultures since I started the antibiotics 6 months ago. I started the nebulizing antibiotic Airikayce about 3 months later, it took that long for my insurance to approve it and there was a problem with where they sent in the prescription, etc etc. Otherwise I would have been on it sooner.
My point is that there is guidelines of when you can start the Airikayce. It is supposed to be for people that do not have a culture conversion within 6 months to a year. Meaning, going back negative from the antibiotics alone. They generally will not give the Airikayce until that happens unless you have cavities, and your doctor can get a pre-approval and show that you would greatly benefit from going on this sooner. I hope that answers your question!

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