Concerta is expensive!

[t-bird]

Today I was prescribed a 30 day supply of Concerta 18mg. It cost $95.00, I couldn't believe it! Is there something similiar in a generic form that I could get instead? I am going to try it for 3 weeks and then visit the doctor again.
Anyways, I sure hope it works!
Britawn

[Tara]

There are coupons availible for a free month's prescription of concerta. The drug reps give them out to clinics. A lot of time doctors in private practice may not have them or are even aware that they exist.

The nurse practioner that I go to is alway trying to give me free coupons for my ritalin LA . I asked her how she got them and she explained to me about the drug reps giving them to clinics and larger practices. She also said that the clinics and practices that have the free coupons are one who focus more on treating children with AD/HD.

[bnsforu2]

you might try a link i have for a pharmacy checker that compares prices in us and canadian pharmacies. since i cant post url , i think, email me or send me a private message and i will send the link if you want more info.
Paul

[Gregster]

I'm not aware of any generic time release methylphenidate, which is what Concerta is. You can get generic plain ritalin, but you'll have to take several pills per day. In Canada you'll pay less than half the price for most name brand drugs. You can't get Concerta from mail order, however, as it's a controled drug - you'll have to go to Canada in person for that. Call a Canadian pharmacy first to find out if you need a special prescription or anything - I'm sure they deal with American customers all the time.
Regards,
Greg

[t-bird]

I wonder how I find out about free coupons, that would be cool!
I think I will ask about generic ritalin, I really don't care if I have to take pills at different times, I work alone so it wouldn't be a big deal.
Thanks for the input guys!!

[galexica2020]

I just started taking concerta 8 days ago, anyway I paid $90.00 candian. Any Canadians who are taking Concerta, purchase a 30 days supply at the Real Canadian Superstore Chain. I found to get my medication cheaper there. Walmart is a $1.00 more than the superstore in price. All americans it is cheaper to shop for medications in Canada. I was wondering will your insurance companies pay 100% on medications from Canada?
Galexica

[t-bird]

Well I don't have any insurance, otherwise I don't think I would complain. I wonder if I could take my script to Canada and get it filled. But depending on the cost of gas and the time it would take to go there if it would even be worth it.
Why is everything cheaper it Canada? Its not fair.

[Gregster]

For comparison 30 Concerta 18mg at the local Walmart here in Huntsville, Ontario is $75.41 Canadian or $56.21 USD
30 36mg tablets is $72.04 USD
The generic, non-sustained release methylphenidate is between 4 to 6 times cheaper than the Concerta, depending on the strength.
Just to rub it in how much cheaper drugs are here!
Regards,
Greg

[t-bird]

Greg, how much is the methylphenidate there? Have you ever heard of someone from the US filling their prescription in Canada? It is a schedule II drug so they might be more strict on that.
Thanks, Britawn

[Gregster]

Generic ritalin is $11.71 CND for 30 10mg pills, but that includes a $6.47 pharmacists fee so if you bought more than 60 or 90, the cost per pill would go way down, as that $6.47 stays the same. Three month's supply is all you are allowed to bring into the US when coming back from Canada, so for you, 180 pills, would be roughly $37.91CND or $28.52 USD. The rates should be close to that where-ever you go in Canada as prices are federally regulated - Walmart will be pretty close to as cheap as it gets.
What the rules are for perscriptions I'm not sure - but I bet that won't be a problem (I would call a Canadian pharmacy just in case and tell them which drug you need, before you hop in the car and make the trip, but I think the Canadian and American systems are very similar) - just be sure to have the scrip with you (bottle with label and your name on it) with you cross back into the states, otherwise they might think you're a smuggler! As I said before, they will let you bring in up to 3 month's supply of a (legal) drug for personal use, as long as you have a prescription for it.
Enjoy your trip to Canada
Regards,
Greg

[t-bird]

Holy cow that is cheap! You lucky Canadians!
Thanks for the info

[Els]

In Holland it's expensive too. I asked for it and my doctor said it would cost me €50 to €100 a month where Ritalin (or it's generic version) is completely paid for by my insurance. This is my third day on Ritalin and I can imagine this time-released drug feels much better.

[clawless]

God i didn't realise that Concerta was so expensive for you lot to buy, over here (U.K.) we have the NHS (National Health Service) so what ever the perscription you will be charged the same amout for it to be filled £6.40 per item at the moment and thats just gone up.

So for example you were prescibed 1 mths worth 30 x 36mg of concerta that would cost you £6.40 or 3 mths worth 90 x 36mg that would still be £6.40
as its one item just different quantities.

if you were prescribed 30 paracetamol that would also cost you £6.40 (it would cost about a £1 if you just bought them over the counter) so you wouldn't bother filling that perscription out you would just buy it yourself

Most Drs are quite good they will tell you if you can buy whatever it is you need over the counter or not or if it is only available on perscription, and if it will be cheeper for you to do it that way.

If they dont you just check with the chemist to see if you can buy it over the counter or not and do what ever is the cheepest.

Also there are certain people who don't have to pay for perscriptions at all e.g. - Children under 16 or upto 18 if they are still in full time education - o.a.p's -unemployed and on benifits -

[jaimegerise]

Don't remember how much I'd have to pay for a 30 day supply of concerta 36 mg....but I do know that I pay 40 bucks for my copay with insurance....

[perlguy]

Yeah, it is spendy. I went out a couple weeks ago and spent $110 on 12-days worth so that I could make it through the first few weeks of my new job! My insurance kicks in on Thursday, so I'll definitely be taking advantage of it!

Brent