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.

My cardiologist goes by the book so I am hoping that my LVOT (Left ventricular outflow tract) goes to 20 or above but also in a normal range when I get my next echo. It dropped from 100 to
16 mm HG. In my google research I found this statement "LVOT obstruction is defined as a peak instantaneous gradient greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg. A gradient greater than or equal to 50 mm Hg is generally recognized as the threshold at which LVOT obstruction becomes hemodynamically significant."

So, I was hemodynamically significant. I have never been called that before all of this testing.

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Profile picture for nbs @nbs

It will be interesting in three weeks to see what my next echo shows. I don't feel as energetic on the lower dose as I did on 5 mg. My breathing is heavier walking up stairs and walking up hills. However, the weather is now hot and my OHCM is always worse in hot weather. I do feel better than when I wasn't on camzyos.
I am glad you are feeling well!! It is encouraging for all of us to know this drug works. In the original study they waited 30 weeks to determine if it was working on the patients in that study.

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Good morning! I feel the exact same way, being on 2.5mg now. I was only on 5mg for 62 days and was feeling SO GOOD! I was really disappointed to be switched so soon. I definitely feel much better than before I was on it, but yes, more tired and a bit winded. I had my echo Monday. Will meet with the dr. next Monday. Will report what he says. It is so awesome to hear how other people are doing on this journey! 🙂

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Profile picture for jess51 @jess51

Yes, thanks for that explanation. I like my cardiologist very much but he is not a big on details. (Not that I would necessarily understand them!)
I will like to hear that you are able to stay on Camzyos. It has certainly been a "rescue" for me. I am very appreciative of this forum and all of the helpful (and educated) support it provides.
I am not checking in to this forum as frequently as I should to read helpful updates. That is testament to how well I am feeling!

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It will be interesting in three weeks to see what my next echo shows. I don't feel as energetic on the lower dose as I did on 5 mg. My breathing is heavier walking up stairs and walking up hills. However, the weather is now hot and my OHCM is always worse in hot weather. I do feel better than when I wasn't on camzyos.
I am glad you are feeling well!! It is encouraging for all of us to know this drug works. In the original study they waited 30 weeks to determine if it was working on the patients in that study.

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Profile picture for nbs @nbs

Jess51, I answered your question about how they determine when to lower a dose in terms of how it was explained to me as a separate post.

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Yes, thanks for that explanation. I like my cardiologist very much but he is not a big on details. (Not that I would necessarily understand them!)
I will like to hear that you are able to stay on Camzyos. It has certainly been a "rescue" for me. I am very appreciative of this forum and all of the helpful (and educated) support it provides.
I am not checking in to this forum as frequently as I should to read helpful updates. That is testament to how well I am feeling!

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Profile picture for marilynsaint @marilynsaint

Thanks for your info. I am waiting to hear from the new cardiologists office for my appointment. This will give me some good background so I can ask the right questions.

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@marilynsaint, this is why Mayo Connect is so special. These folks just gave you the best information possible, something that not many, including myself, knows. I hope you take good notes with you to your appointment and that your new cardiologist is specialized in HOCM and Camzyos. Sounds like from what @nbs, @jaymaysea and @captainterry have stated, you need to not only learn as much as you can to help yourself, but that you will also need to have your doctor working with you just as much. I hope you come back and let the group know how things turn out. Were you surprised when you were diagnosed with HOCM? Were you having symptoms that were bothersome?

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Thanks for your info. I am waiting to hear from the new cardiologists office for my appointment. This will give me some good background so I can ask the right questions.

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Profile picture for marilynsaint @marilynsaint

I am newly diagnosed as of this week. Had a cardiac cath which showed good heart vessels, but confirmed my cardiologists suspicion based on echo and physical symptoms, of HCM. I read about the new med, but also saw the price-approx 8,300/mo (with no insurance). I am being referred to another cardiologist to discuss this med, but haven’t heard from them yet. My questions really revolve around affordability with Medicare Part D. Has anyone NOT been able access the med due to cost restrictions? And, if so, then what were their providers suggestions if any?

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Short answer to Costs:
Just gone into my second year on Camzyos. You will need to access an experienced HCM cardiologist and SPECIALTY pharmacy (usually by phone or on line). Your cardiology office or staff worker they may use should help set up with the medical background info required. This is all about getting registered in the REMS program for this new drug. Hopefully you have some form of supplemental pharmacy insurance also (in addition to medicare).
The manufacturer (BMS), your supplemental ins., Medicare, and specialty Rx will work out the end cost to you. This happens behind the scenes and is somewhat a mystery ???
CVS Specialty Pharmacy is my dispensary by overnight delivery and has been very good to work with. You will talk with your selected pharmacy every month so they can check on you before sending your next 30 capsules.
NOW here is the main thing if you are on medicare ..... contact Healthwell Foundation (Google them and call). You probably will be elegable for a $10k per year grant to cover Rx deductables and copays. You do not not have to be poor .... the personal income limit is somewhat over $150,000 per year. Go to their web site and then give them a call.
Relax, be diligent, positive, and be hopeful during the process. Camzyos is worth it if it works for you!

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Even if they qualify you for Camzyos, your Medicare Part D insurance co-payment can be high, particularly if you are in the Donut Hole of Part D. Even in phase 3 of Part D, I was still looking at about $438/month. Bristol Myers Squibb has a Patient Assistance Foundation. https://www.bmspaf.org/ The BMSPF household income limitation for Camzyos is $150,000. But, even if you exceed the income limitation you can appeal and write a hardship letter to explain your circumstances. If you get approved the medication is free!!! That is the route I took.

Nbs is right! Don’t be afraid of the cost. Where there is a will there is a way. Your Dr, and BMS will all work with you. I found they went above and beyond to get me the medication.

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Thanks for the info. Once I see the new cardiologist I hope to have more info. The price I saw scared me, and I wondered what I would do if the price was prohibitive. Thanks for giving me a little peace of mind.

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Profile picture for marilynsaint @marilynsaint

I am newly diagnosed as of this week. Had a cardiac cath which showed good heart vessels, but confirmed my cardiologists suspicion based on echo and physical symptoms, of HCM. I read about the new med, but also saw the price-approx 8,300/mo (with no insurance). I am being referred to another cardiologist to discuss this med, but haven’t heard from them yet. My questions really revolve around affordability with Medicare Part D. Has anyone NOT been able access the med due to cost restrictions? And, if so, then what were their providers suggestions if any?

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I pay nothing. I have Medicare. No one can afford that price. My doctor's office had quite a bit of paperwork to do and in the end I was informed that the drug would be over $7000 for the first month and under $10000 for the year. I then was given a $10000 pharmacy prepaid card which was sent by the pharmaceutical company to my assigned specialty pharmacy (Optum) to cover my first year expenses. The pharmacy used has to have a REMs specialty pharmacy section. Please don't worry about the cost. The cost will be covered if you cardiologist knows how to apply for this drug properly. That's an abbreviated explanation.

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