Generic Hyper-Sal

[triples15]

Hey everyone,
I just got home from Walgreens and I'm bit perplexed. Instead of Hyper-Sal (brand name hypertonic saline), I was given Sodium Chloride Solution 7%. I had heard that CF Services Pharmacy had a generic for Hyper-Sal but didn't know it would be showing up in retail pharmacies. Interestingly, on the box it reads "Exclusively Distributed by: Cystic Fibrosis Services, Inc., Bethesda, MD" so I'm assuming it's the same stuff people are getting from CF Services.
Anyway, have you continued to get brand, or has your pharmacy filled it with generic? For those that are on generic-did you notice any difference? It seems that I remember a couple people on here trying the generic and not liking it. I believe someone even posted that it is different and in this case, brand name is superior. I can't seem to find that thread now...
I intend to call my doctor tomorrow and verify that I am, in fact, supposed to use the generic. However it's too late to call them now and just wanted to check with you all on what your experiences have been.
Another interesting note, on my pharmacy print-out it says: Retail price $207.06. Your insurance saved you $203.50. So my copay was only a few bucks, but I'm SUPER confused about the retail price!! If this is generic why is it way more expensive than brand??! Makes NO sense. I checked the CF Services website and they sell it for $61.97. If Walgreens is really gouging prices that much it makes me wonder if I should continue to use them! Geez! Why in the world would my insurance rather pay $203 for generic, when brand name Hyper-Sal is somewhere around $80 bucks, I believe! Goofy. Would make more sense to stick with brand.
Anyway, really sorry for the rambling! Let me know if you have any thoughts/opinions on any of this. Thanks a bunch for "listening". <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Autumn

 

[MCGrad2006]

I also got the generic, from CVS for the first time. I am not noticing a difference yet and its been about a week. The taste is the same, so I am assuming there is not much difference. I mean, how can they mess up salt water? I just switched to CVS so I didn't know if the generic was because of that or if that is what all pharmacies are doing now. I didn't look at the paper for the pricing options.

 

[Printer]

Caitlin:

That is what I've been getting from CF Services for some time. I find it to be just as good.

Bill

 

[Havoc]

kinda hard to screw up salt water...

ETA: You mighjt be able to get it much cheaper if you go to a compounding pharmacy and have them mix it up for you.

 

[saveferris2009]

FYI pharmacies always make more money from the insurance companies for filling generics vs. brand. Insurance companies give pharmacies a "fill rate" - a fee basically for filling each and every Rx. The fill rate is higher with generics vs. brand to encourage cheaper meds being dispensed.

 

[triples15]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><em>Originally posted by: <strong>Havoc</strong></em> kinda hard to screw up salt water... ETA: You mighjt be able to get it much cheaper if you go to a compounding pharmacy and have them mix it up for you.</end quote>

Ya, I figured it's pretty hard to screw up salt water. But for some reason I could have sworn I read something where other CFers were saying they somehow noticed a difference in the generic and they didn't like it. Oh well. Thanks for the suggestion about the compounding pharmacy but I only ended up paying about $3 for it after insurance. I was just confused by what they were saying the retail price was when it's actually only about 60 bucks. I guess if my insurance wants to pay it they can knock themselves out.

Amy, that's interesting. Thanks for the info. That at least explains why they are paying more for the generic. Is it common for pharmacies to set their price point that high? To where they are getting more than double from the insurance company than what they pay for it? I'm just curious. Since my copays are a percentage of the price I have thought about calling around to local pharmacies and getting the cash price of meds to compare, but I'm not sure it's worth the time and effort.

Caitlin and Bill, thanks for the info. I'm glad you are using it and haven't noticed any difference!

Thanks again everyone,

autumn

 

[Beccamom]

My daughter could not use the generic because she complained of a sore throat which has never been a problem with the HyperSal.

 

[SIcklyhatED]

issues with generic could also be from the power of suggestion--you think it may be lesser quality, so it seems off to you. I've done every type of hypertonic solution under the sun and they all seem the same. If I don't do them for awhile, then start up again I'll get a sore throat until I get used to it again, ust like with Xopenex.

 

[Havoc]

Similar to preferring the red M&Ms over the green ones.

 

[rubyroselee]

I always receive generic HTS through my mail-order pharmacy and it's never been an issue...all the same stuff.

 

[aquafish2425]

I have always been receiving generic through my pharmacy, but I have to 60.00 for it because my insurance doesn't cover it. I was told that no insurance covered it, anyway it seems to work just fine for me.

 

[lilmac1177]

i'm not sure if this has been said as i've not yet read the entire thread, but i receive my hyper-tonic saline free thru Foundation Care for getting the Creon filled thru them. might want to check into it?

 

[leapling]

I just started getting the generic version through the cf pharmacy and had to call the nurse to verify that the sodium chloride was the same as HyperSal. For some reason, I feel like it's not as strong...doesn't taste as salty and doesn't make me cough as hard or clear as much mucus. Maybe it's just me...

 

[Anomie]

Ya my little girl hasn't been coughing up anything since she started on the generic saline. Pretty sure the stuff is diluted. Must be how they get away with making it for so cheap. Bastards!

 

[triples15]

Thanks again everyone. I haven't tried the generic yet but will post when I do. I still have some brand name, I was refilling early since my insurance changed and wanted to make sure it was covered and I didn't need to make a bunch of phone calls!

Leapling- we share a mutation, S945L. You're the first person I've "met" with it! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My other is DF508. Welcome to the forums by the way!

 

[leapling]

Thanks for the welcome Autumn! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> It's nice to "meet" you too! I haven't found anyone else with either of the mutations that I have either...they are apparently very rare. Have you ever heard any details about your S945L? You think this means we are related? LOL. I'd send you a PM, but I haven't figured out how to work that feature on here yet. I look forward to chatting more!

 

[triples15]

Leapling, I was also told that it was rare. I suppose we could be distantly related! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I got the mutation from my mom who is of German and Dutch descent.

The good news for us that I do happen to know is that it is currently on Vertex's radar. The research coordinator at my clinic told me that Vertex recently contacted her regarding their patients' mutations. She said of the 30 mutations she was asked about, S945L was one of them. She speculated this to mean that it is likely they are looking at it for future studies. It could be misguided, but I am actually hopeful Kalydeco alone could work us. However, I have yet to clarify whether or not it is a gating mutation. I have been waiting for a reply from the research coordinator but haven't heard as of yet.

How about you? Have you heard anything about it?

Have you played around with PMing? If I PMed you first do you think that would help? Let me know.

Sorry- I kind of hijacked my own thread here! If anyone wants to continue to respond to the original topic about Hypertonic Saline, feel free! I'm still interested. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">