I use Valacyclovir. Very inexpensive through my Express Scripts. I think I get 30 pills for under $2.

At the first sign of a blister you two pills, then twelve hours later two pills. Stops the eruption.

what's hello rory?

Is that for 1000gm or 500mg?

And can you just buy 30 pills (which will last me years) or do you have to subsrcibe?

Yes, that is how I use them also. BTW I also find ice helps.

Valtrex is the brand name for valycyclovir; but actually the latter was prescribed per se

I get the 1000mg. Supposedly they expire, so I get a new order each year.

The doctor coy, order as many pills as she wants. Initially when I started, she per just four pills!

I have found that nuts and chocolate can push me over the edge when all other factors are in alignment. Change of weather, abrupt hot to cold, or if I'm under stress.

It's kind of crazy that something that can be such a major expense, and is a necessity for many, is not regulated.

My ($14,000.00/30 day supply) medication is not available through Cost Plus. Thank heavens for insurance.

My cost is around $575.00/month. The out of pocket cost should be lower in 2024, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/10522-inflation-reduction-act-timeline.pdf

eta:

”2024

Catastrophic phase of the Medicare prescription drug benefit

Æ Starting January 1, people with Medicare prescription drug coverage who fall into the catastrophic phase of the prescription drug benefit won’t have to pay any coinsurance or co-payments during that phase for covered Medicare prescription drugs”

Mtn, this is extremely useful and thank you for bringing it to the forefront - I remember reading Mark was doing this but have totally forgotten about it. My Mom is a diabetic with glaucoma and has trouble with generics. So I will be investigating this.

It sounds too, like there are other options to investigate!

@Arapaho-Rd

Currently Cost Plus sells only generic drugs, but they hope to offer name brands in the future.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/28/mark-cuban-pharmacy-cost-plus-drugs-struggling-with-brand-name-drugs.html

Thank you! I need to do a better job reading in detail!

Encourage folks to compare prices, ask pharmacy for Rx cost without running through insurance, compare to Amazon, Costco (membership not required), and Cost Plus drugs.
Regarding generics, if available, they're what hospitals use.

maddielee, I'm on expensive medication too. It was only $60/year when I had private insurance, but with Medicare I'm getting screwed to the tune of about $8,000/year.

I am also on an expensive med (4K per month) but I only pay $5 due to the drug company's program. That program is not available to Medicare participants, so unless something changes about that in the next 4 years I'll be screwed too. I'm glad someone is working on options!

Great information, Mtn--thanks for sharing this.

Don't forget Good Rx -- I have used it a couple times and my pharmacy is pretty good about helping look for better ways to run the prescription if the cost is not a normal co-pay -- even the ones for my pets.