Pregnancy Support Group

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Tryingtomakesense 05/11/2011

I know the company GRACIOUSLY lowered the price from $1500 to $690 per injection (THEY MAKE ME SICK!!), but I wondered how many of you have been able to qualify for their program? Is it mailed to you? I've been using the compounded variety in sesame oil, but my doc wants me to switch to this variation, because of its proven ability to help in 2nd trimester on.

My problem is that I need a LOT more progesterone than the evil P17 pharmaceutical company is allowing...now that they control EVERYTHING...including who can have it and HOW much they can have!!

I am sick over this. P17 saved my daughter's life (my 3 yr old) and now I have to fight tooth and nail for this inadequate amount for this baby? My OB is against me using the sesame oil variety because it has not been tested in later pregnancy.

I'm not sure what to do. I need to know if you have managed to get it and how it is going. Does the dose work for you?

Thank you for your help!

deleted_user 05/12/2011

Wow! How often would you have to have the injections? I'm sorry I don't know anything about this drug, but I agree about the pharmaceutical industry. It's all about the money for them! Is there any drug that your insurance will cover? They should make it available to you if you need it to sustain your pregnancy. I said a prayer for you. I hope you can find a situation that is affordable.

deleted_user 05/12/2011

I am in the program on Makena. I receive weekly injections. It was not the company that required approval, it was my insurance! They were the ones picking up the balance. Can't say on the dosage, but I would think something is better than nothing. Are you getting it more than 1x a week? If so, is that safe? Has that been tested?

I agree on the company being totally cost hungry though, it's disgusting. I would talk to your OB about and let them know, it's definitely not a cheap drug! How far along are you? do you have a lot of time left?

Tryingtomakesense 05/12/2011

With the Progesterone in Oil variety I have been using all pregnancy (I am 17 weeks), they had to increase my dosage until I am on daily shots of 100 mg of progesterone. (My body metabolizes it too quickly.) Since Makena (KV Pharmaceuticals) took over in March, they now dictate that the maximum someone can receive "THEIR" compound is (1) 100 mg injection per WEEK.

I used the Makena compound years ago, pulled all this creepy lobbying to get rights to a drug that was NOT THEIRS to begin with. It was needed in my pregnancy with my 3 yr old...we would have lost her MANY times if it were NOT for the Progesterone Caproate compound.

Has it been tested in higher doses? I have no idea if they have tested it in higher doses with OTHER people, but I do know they had to increase my doses of it with my 3 yr old in order to help us maintain the pregnancy. Other tocolytics (meds to stop labor) did not work with her with any efficacy like P17. I ended up on shots of P17 every other day with her.

My insurance will NOT cover P17, so we have to "Apply" for Makena's program, and you have to have DELIVERED pre-term. I did pre-term LABOR with all of my kids, but they stopped it repeatedly with each baby until 37 weeks (one thanks to P17) and the others thanks to medications no longer available.

Not only do you have to have DELIVERED Pre-term, but you also have to only use their dosing...my doc would no longer have the ability to prescribe it as needed to save my baby.

I am seeing a team of perinatologists because of all my risk factors and they are trying to figure out what to do. I can tell you that, if they DON'T manage to get Makena's compound in the dosing I need, I may very well keep using the one that I'm on, even if they protest. I have been on bed rest for 9 weeks. I am not going to lay here and lose my baby because of a greedy drug company...I will do SOMETHING!!

Tryingtomakesense 05/12/2011

I meant to say that I used Makena compound years ago BEFORE they pulled all this creepy lobbying... Sorry, I'm so upset about this that I couldn't type.

deleted_user 05/12/2011

I would fight w/your insurance company. Makena is not required adn you can still take the P17. The stress you have now over this is going to cause more problems in the long run. I hope that this gets figured out for you soon. Best wishes.

Tryingtomakesense 05/12/2011

I can't do anything with our insurance company. My husband lost his job and our private insurance months ago, so I only have our state Medicaid. :-( No flexibility there.

deleted_user 05/13/2011

I don't have any advice. But I will say that this totally sucks and should be illegal. I'm sorry. :-(

chattykdt 05/13/2011

Hello ,Im taking the 17 p injection also but some how my high risk doctor found away for me to only pay my co-pay

Tryingtomakesense 05/13/2011

Chatty, that is awesome! That means your insurance company covered it, which many do. Our private insurance, which we just lost April 1st DID cover it, but unfortunately, at that time, I was not far enough along for P17. Now that I am, I only have state insurance, and our state does NOT cover it. That puts me at the mercy of the financial aid program at Makena which works overtime to keep people from getting P17 through them.

Curious though...do you just fill your Rx at a local pharmacy? If you use their financial aid program, they mail it to you...another delay, if you can even GET approved.

chattykdt 05/14/2011

@ Tryingtomakesense, I have to order the 17 p though this place called voshells pharmacy because the cvs in my neighborhood does not carry it crazy right i also have to take a lovenox injection which cost me 516 .00 a month crazy right

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