zofran v. compazene - Crohns Disease Forum - Support group and forum for IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

bostonlass · 11-05-2009, 01:21 PM

Hi,

For those of you who haven't met me yet I have not been diagnosed with crohn's at this point. Had an upper gi/lower bowel follow through and they just found reflux. Having colonoscopy on the 17th.

I have been very nauseous the past two months and have been on a very low residue, sometimes all liquid diet during that time. Last night for the first time I had three rounds of explosive bloody diareah. Freaked me out so I left work early and went to bed. This morning my stomach is all in knots and very tight so I called my GI and he is trying to move my colonoscopy up to next week.

Anyhoo I asked him about zofran since I had that when I had my gallbladder issues and he wanted me to take compazene instead. He said the price difference is through the roof so they try not to give out the zofran when at all possible. I told him if I can only take the compazene I wont be able to function at work so he ok'd finally the zofran.

My question is.....what the heck. Why should it matter what the price is? Shouldn't they just do what is in the best interest of the patient? To me the price means nothing since I pay at the most $20 for my scripts so are the insurance companies really putting pressure on doctors to give generic to the point where the patient has to make a case about it? This is all new to me so I'm not familiar with all of this hoopla over medications.

Also does anyone else take zofran as opposed to compazene?

Lishyloo · 11-05-2009, 02:08 PM

sorry - dont use either - unless they are different names in UK?

Good luck though - sounds like you are having a rough old time of it.

Lishyloo

imisspopcorn · 11-05-2009, 03:21 PM

I've only had Zofran via IV in the hospital. It didn't work as well for me as Phenergan. Compazine is an older med, it works great for me as well, but I had a reaction to another drug similar to it so I can't take it anymore.

I'm thinking that your doctor was trying to help by not prescribing you Zofran. I believe it's not available in generic yet...so it can be rather pricey. Just guessing....My insurance plan (HMO) has the drugs divided into tiers, so my copay can be anywhere from $10-$50. I would probably pay $50 for Zofran because it is a new drug and there are other suitable alternatives available....Just guessing here, but maybe that is what he was concerned about.

Well, I'm glad you got the medicine that works for you. I hope you start to feel better soon.

pewpewlasers · 11-05-2009, 09:22 PM

Have you taken compazine before? That gave me a nasty reaction so I swear that stuff off.

11-05-2009, 01:21 PM	#1
bostonlass Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 40	zofran v. compazene Hi, For those of you who haven't met me yet I have not been diagnosed with crohn's at this point. Had an upper gi/lower bowel follow through and they just found reflux. Having colonoscopy on the 17th. I have been very nauseous the past two months and have been on a very low residue, sometimes all liquid diet during that time. Last night for the first time I had three rounds of explosive bloody diareah. Freaked me out so I left work early and went to bed. This morning my stomach is all in knots and very tight so I called my GI and he is trying to move my colonoscopy up to next week. Anyhoo I asked him about zofran since I had that when I had my gallbladder issues and he wanted me to take compazene instead. He said the price difference is through the roof so they try not to give out the zofran when at all possible. I told him if I can only take the compazene I wont be able to function at work so he ok'd finally the zofran. My question is.....what the heck. Why should it matter what the price is? Shouldn't they just do what is in the best interest of the patient? To me the price means nothing since I pay at the most $20 for my scripts so are the insurance companies really putting pressure on doctors to give generic to the point where the patient has to make a case about it? This is all new to me so I'm not familiar with all of this hoopla over medications. Also does anyone else take zofran as opposed to compazene?

11-05-2009, 03:21 PM	#3
imisspopcorn Punctuation Impaired Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,945	I've only had Zofran via IV in the hospital. It didn't work as well for me as Phenergan. Compazine is an older med, it works great for me as well, but I had a reaction to another drug similar to it so I can't take it anymore. I'm thinking that your doctor was trying to help by not prescribing you Zofran. I believe it's not available in generic yet...so it can be rather pricey. Just guessing....My insurance plan (HMO) has the drugs divided into tiers, so my copay can be anywhere from $10-$50. I would probably pay $50 for Zofran because it is a new drug and there are other suitable alternatives available....Just guessing here, but maybe that is what he was concerned about. Well, I'm glad you got the medicine that works for you. I hope you start to feel better soon. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~* Instead of hiding in the darkness of a grey cloud, why not look for the silver lining? Last edited by imisspopcorn; 11-10-2009 at 05:54 PM.

11-05-2009, 02:08 PM	#2
Lishyloo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 617	sorry - dont use either - unless they are different names in UK? Good luck though - sounds like you are having a rough old time of it. Lishyloo

11-05-2009, 09:22 PM	#4
pewpewlasers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 289	Have you taken compazine before? That gave me a nasty reaction so I swear that stuff off.