1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Posted by suze317 @suze317, Oct 17, 2018

I have to make a decision on Forteo vs. Tymlos and am not sure what to choose. Forteo has been around a lot longer, but has to be refrigerated. Tymlos only around 1 1/2 years but is shelf stable and seems to have less side effects and less issues with calcium. Can anyone offer their perspective? Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

naomikrst | @naomikrst | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "@naomikrst the cancer warnings have been lifted. Not a single human has developed sarcoma on Forteo..." + (show)
@windyshores

@naomikrst the cancer warnings have been lifted. Not a single human has developed sarcoma on Forteo or Tymlos. The info online is outdated. I have had breast cancer but am almost done 2 years on Tymlos, no problems in terms of cancer. If I had metastasis to bones, then that would be a problem with these meds.

Jump to this post

Thank you for responding. At this point unless a miracle happens, I won't be able to do any injections, I do not have thousands of dollars for a 90 day supply of any of the medications. I did a search to find out cash price for a 90 day supply of Forteo and it is $4395. Yet my insurance was covering $5012 and my copay was still $3900. So total cost was $8912.! Somebody is being ripped off!!! All of the injections are in the thousands even with my insurance covering more than half!!
Anyways thanks for responding!

REPLY
2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @naomikrst "Thank you for responding. At this point unless a miracle happens, I won't be able to..." + (show)
@naomikrst

Thank you for responding. At this point unless a miracle happens, I won't be able to do any injections, I do not have thousands of dollars for a 90 day supply of any of the medications. I did a search to find out cash price for a 90 day supply of Forteo and it is $4395. Yet my insurance was covering $5012 and my copay was still $3900. So total cost was $8912.! Somebody is being ripped off!!! All of the injections are in the thousands even with my insurance covering more than half!!
Anyways thanks for responding!

Jump to this post

Have you called the manufacturers about patient assistance? I got Tymlos for free through Radius Assist. Forteo also has a program.

REPLY
2 replies
naomikrst | @naomikrst | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "Have you called the manufacturers about patient assistance? I got Tymlos for free through Radius Assist...." + (show)
@windyshores

Have you called the manufacturers about patient assistance? I got Tymlos for free through Radius Assist. Forteo also has a program.

Jump to this post

No I haven't... I will try next week. Thank you.

REPLY
naomikrst | @naomikrst | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "Have you called the manufacturers about patient assistance? I got Tymlos for free through Radius Assist...." + (show)
@windyshores

Have you called the manufacturers about patient assistance? I got Tymlos for free through Radius Assist. Forteo also has a program.

Jump to this post

I just looked up who the manufacturer is and I am already receiving my migraine injections through them. I doubt that they would also do the Forteo 😢

REPLY
1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @naomikrst "I just looked up who the manufacturer is and I am already receiving my migraine injections..." + (show)
@naomikrst

I just looked up who the manufacturer is and I am already receiving my migraine injections through them. I doubt that they would also do the Forteo 😢

Jump to this post

I would think you still could. It might be worth it to call and ask 🙂 Radius makes Tymlos. If Forteo doesn't work out you could also try them-?

REPLY
1 reply
milkweed | @milkweed | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @naomikrst "Oh my gosh, I'm just sick to my stomach! I thought I had good Part C..." + (show)
@naomikrst

Oh my gosh, I'm just sick to my stomach! I thought I had good Part C insurance. My Dr opted to go with Forteo and my Pharmacist just reached out to tell me a 90 day supply with my insurance, my copay would be $3900.00! A 30 day supply would be $1300.00 copay! I'm on SSI! I don't understand how these drs don't understand that people cannot afford these outrageously expensive medications when you are on a very limited income!!! Here I go again!!! 😭😭😭

Jump to this post

CVS has a specialty pharmacy they may be able to supply your needs with grant money. If you have a teaching hospital nearby they may also be able to help you.

REPLY
teb | @teb | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @naomikrst "Thank you for responding. At this point unless a miracle happens, I won't be able to..." + (show)
@naomikrst

Thank you for responding. At this point unless a miracle happens, I won't be able to do any injections, I do not have thousands of dollars for a 90 day supply of any of the medications. I did a search to find out cash price for a 90 day supply of Forteo and it is $4395. Yet my insurance was covering $5012 and my copay was still $3900. So total cost was $8912.! Somebody is being ripped off!!! All of the injections are in the thousands even with my insurance covering more than half!!
Anyways thanks for responding!

Jump to this post

There are ways you can get a reduced price either through the manufacturer or your physician requiring the medication and submitting a pre-authorization. You may need to fight for it but ultimately, they usually cover it if it's truly what you need and your doctor will have to support that. Initially, my doctor wouldn't prescribe it due to its expense. I asked her if we took that out of the equation, what the best medication would be for me. Her answer...Forteo. So, I fought for it. I can't remember exactly what I ended up paying for it but it was around $35-40 a month. If your insurance is covering another specialty medication that does not preclude an approval on something else. Don't give up on getting what you need.

REPLY
naomikrst | @naomikrst | Jul 23, 2023

The $3900 copay is with the prior authorization. My insurance is covering $5012. I made sure they did it with prior authorization because all of these meds require it. A $35-$40 copay would be a miracle!!! Wow. You were truly blessed!!!

REPLY
naomikrst | @naomikrst | Jul 23, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "I would think you still could. It might be worth it to call and ask :)..." + (show)
@windyshores

I would think you still could. It might be worth it to call and ask 🙂 Radius makes Tymlos. If Forteo doesn't work out you could also try them-?

Jump to this post

I will ask them anyway, the most they can do is say no.

REPLY
shortnancy | @shortnancy | Sep 26, 2023
In reply to @jmanj "General note about traveling with Forteo. I found a “system” on Amazon called an “Insulin Cooling..." + (show)
@jmanj

General note about traveling with Forteo. I found a “system” on Amazon called an “Insulin Cooling Bottle Medicine Cooler”. It basically consists of a double-walled metal thermos with a “bio-gel” freezer bottle that drops inside it. It comes with a thermometer to place inside the cooler, but since it only shows the current temp, I am using a high-low-current thermometer that I have. That way I can see not only what the current temp is (Forteo needs to be kept between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit), but what the highest and lowest temps have reached while the Forteo is in the thermos. I tested the system, checking the temps every 8 hours, and it maintained the safe temps for more than 36 hours. I’ll be using this on an upcoming trip instead of the soft-side cooler with freezer blocks I have used in the past (that only worked “OK”).

Jump to this post

I use the 4Allfamily Nomad 48 hour insulin pens cooler travel case- has a usb cord to plug in on plane to keep cool for really long distances. Purchased on Amazon. Have travelled with this to Australia & New Zealand and meds stayed cool not frozen. Always get flagged with this when going through security and they make me take the lid off to show what is inside.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.