[Dcad]

Since I don't have insurance that cover drugs, I need to pay for insulin on my own. I actually have been receiving Humalog samples from my Dr, but he does not get samples of the very long-acting type, such as Lantus.

While I could switch to NPH insulin, I have gastrointestinal issues which cause me to avoid eating sometimes. The typical NPH twice-a-day dosing normally needs a noon and bedtime snack, which I can't depend on. I might go to a 3x/day dosing, but before I do that, I have been seeking a cheaper source of Lantus, or an equivalent.

As many have noted, the cost of the long-acting insulins in the U.S. is skyrocketing. So, I am looking into the possibility of ordering from another country, such as Canada. However, several of the ones I called, said they cannot ship to the U.S. because of concerns over temperature control.

I did find one, Canada-eDrugs.to and actually just ordered from them. Though, I am a little nervous about it, because of the ".to" extension. When I look that up I see that .to is associated

Tonga (Often used unofficially for Torrent, Turin, Toronto, Tokyo, or Tocantins)

I did call their customer service, and they said they have a company called, "Can-American Pharmacy" do the order, and they ship a refrigerated box from Canada. I asked if there are any other equivalent insulins to Lantus, that might be cheaper, but they said they don't have a pharmacist on staff. I also called the "Can-American Pharmacy" and got the same answer. It is also noteworthy that the Can-American Pharmacy does not show any insulin if you search their web site.

If the source does not work out, I know I can go to VISA for a complaint, and perhaps a refund.

I live about a 7hr drive from Canada, but that is a long drive, especially if I try to do an immediate turn around, and come back the next day, so that I can avoid any hotel stays. I looked into a bus or train, but those options take over 24 hours for one way. Years ago, some retirement communities would charter a bus to go to Canada, but perhaps when the US started permitting people to use mail-order, the need dried up... at least for drugs other than insulin.

Any other advice for someone seeking a cheaper source for Lantus or equivalent drugs. Are there other, cheaper, brands I should be seeking?

Thanks for any advice,
-Joe

 

[mbuster]

Hi Dcad, welcome to the forum. Can't help you with the insulin questions, but have you investigated other ways to lower your costs by reducing the carbs you eat. Dr. Richard Bernstein, a type 1 himself, has coined a phrase called the "law of small numbers", which basically says you eat less carbs you use less insulin, AND you have less chance for hypos. Not sure what you do now and you may already be eating reduced carbs. Here is a link to how to eat reduced carbs. Others will be along and can provide other valuable links and advice.

 

[Dcad]

Thanks for the idea. However, my main issue is the cost of the very long-acting type of insulin. For me, it is primarily used as the base dose of insulin, rather than for covering carbs.

I deliberately wanted to keep the base dose of Lantus at a level where I had the option of not eating for a day or so, because of the diabetic gastroparesis. Also, it seems that simple carbs do actually agree with my digestion better. The high protein foods also tends to be high-fat, which seems to create acid reflux for me. For some reason the simple carbs don't do that nearly as much.

-Joe

 

[mbuster]

Thanks for the idea. However, my main issue is the cost of the very long-acting type of insulin. For me, it is primarily used as the base dose of insulin, rather than for covering carbs.

I deliberately wanted to keep the base dose of Lantus at a level where I had the option of not eating for a day or so, because of the diabetic gastroparesis. Also, it seems that simple carbs do actually agree with my digestion better. The high protein foods also tends to be high-fat, which seems to create acid reflux for me. For some reason the simple carbs don't do that nearly as much.

-Joe

The LCHF is high fat not high protein. Don't do high protein, figure 1-1.5 grams of protein per kg (2.2 lbs) of lean body weight. Have you by chance had your gall bladder removed where the fats may cause problems? There is a work around to that, taking ox bile salts, but then that adds more expense.

 

[Shanny]

I think we're all well aware that basal insulin (Lantus) is not and cannot be used to cover carbs. Even if you wanted it to, it is not formulated to do that. It is BASAL insulin - created to cover basic bodily needs - not food intake. The choice is not yours - it is the created purpose of the product.

 

[Roxanne0312]

Did you try here https://www.lantus.com/save_on_lantus/index/considering

 

[Dcad]

The LCHF is high fat not high protein....

Have you by chance had your gall bladder removed where the fats may cause problems?

No, my gall badder is intact. But, in general, if my stomach is not emptying well, then eating meat greatly increases the acid reflux. Perhaps I am inappropriately blaming the fat in the meat. Simple carbs, like saltine crackers, seem to do best when my stomach is not emptying.

-Joe

 

[Dcad]

Did you try here

Thank you for the link, but I have tried that discount card. It is limited to a maximum benefit of $100. So, while it would reduce the purchase of Lantus in the US by $100, it is so expensive to buy, that it is not enough. (it is $450 locally for a pack of Lantus Solostar)

-Joe

 

[Shalynne]

Before diagnosis and LCHF, I'd given up on a lot of old fatty food favorites, because I'd get awful gastro-results every time.

A couple of months into LCHF, I found myself unable to resist chorizo (a yummy Mexican sausage). The restaurant offered chorizo in an omelet. I had the omelet, no tortillas, no beans, and -- no gastric yuk!

No yuk from chorizo, ever since.

For me, it was never about the chorizo, or the bacon, or whatever fat food. Mixing carbs with those foods was the real culprit.

 

[Roxanne0312]

Thank you for the link, but I have tried that discount card. It is limited to a maximum benefit of $100. So, while it would reduce the purchase of Lantus in the US by $100, it is so expensive to buy, that it is not enough. (it is $450 locally for a pack of Lantus Solostar)

-Joe

sorry about that, I thought is was $25.00 per perscription.

 

[Shanny]

My experience is the same as Shalynne's. I was diagnosed with gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) way back in the early 90s. In 2009 after being diagnosed with diabetes, I embarked on the LCHF WoE, and a few months later I realized all symptoms of GERD had disappeared as if by magic. And LCHF was that 'magic'!

 

[Dcad]

sorry about that, I thought is was $25.00 per perscription.

It is $25, if your co-pay is under $125. But, if you pay cash, the maximum benefit is $100.


Shalynne and Shanny, thanks for the info on GERD and LCHF. I will try the Low Carb and High Fat approach, and see how it does.

-Joe

 

[Roxanne0312]

It is $25, if your co-pay is under $125. But, if you pay cash, the maximum benefit is $100.


Shalynne and Shanny, thanks for the info on GERD and LCHF. I will try the Low Carb and High Fat approach, and see how it does.

-Joe

I got savings card when I started on Lantus and since the fine print read something about having my insurance notifiied I didn't use it. What's the point. I thought it was for those that didn't have insurance. Same thing with the Effient card, it was cheaper to go with the insurance. Told the doc to give it to those who can't afford it.

 

[Dcad]

I just took a call from the place where I ordered the Lantus 3 days ago. They say they cannot use a credit card for the order, and I must use an E-check.

I said, since this is a Canadian pharmacy, why can't I use my VISA. She only repeated the statement that any orders coming through India or Canada cannot use a credit card. Nor would she refer me to any place that would permit me to mail order Lantus from Canada.

Needless to say, I was not confident enough with the security of the transaction to go ahead. I figured if there was a problem, I could go through the VISA folks to get a refund. But, I take this recent development as a sign that this is not a good company to use.

Does anyone know of any Canadian pharmacy that I can use to mail-order the Lantus?

-Joe

 

[Patdart]

i know of nothing of Canadian but I order a variety of expensive drugs from an indian pharmacy and will share the address if you pm me. I've used them for 4 years and have no idea if they carry Lantus but you can look and learn. they have saved a ton of money for me and been good in that time.

 

[Dcad]

I would only want Lantus from Canada, because it is temperature sensitive. I know they can deliver in some sort of refrigerated packaging, but if it comes from India, that is not exactly a short distance from me in Pennsylvania.

-Joe

 

[Dcad]

I have a good update. I found an actual Canadian pharmacy that would ship insulin to me in the U.S. Canadian Pharmacy | Canada Pharmacy | Online Pharmacy | Canada RX

The LEVEMIR FLEX TOUCH 5pack was $195USD for a single pack + $30 shipping.

The shipping took a week to get to my house in SE Pennsylvania. It was insulated and with a freeze pack. I was a little concerned initially that they put the freeze pack directly in contact with the box of insulin. My concern was that this may cause freezing of the insulin, which the packaging warns against. But, I called them and they said that they have shipped this way for many years, and that it comes from the manufacturer this way and the insulin should be fine.

My only lingering concern is the time it took to get an answer from them. Calls to their number normally results in getting an answering machine, and in spite of them saying they would return the call within 48 hours, they did not. Today, I did however get through, and they were helpful in answering my concerns.

 

[Dcad]

For some reason my edit of the above message won't work. The forum munged the link, so here is the name of the company,
Canada Rx Connection 866-247-2323.

 

[ArthurBel]

I have a good update. I found an actual Canadian pharmacy that would ship insulin to me in the U.S. Canadian Pharmacy | Canada Pharmacy | Online Pharmacy | Canada RX

The LEVEMIR FLEX TOUCH 5pack was $195USD for a single pack + $30 shipping.

The shipping took a week to get to my house in SE Pennsylvania. It was insulated and with a freeze pack. I was a little concerned initially that they put the freeze pack directly in contact with the box of insulin. My concern was that this may cause freezing of the insulin, which the packaging warns against. But, I called them and they said that they have shipped this way for many years, and that it comes from the manufacturer this way and the insulin should be fine.

My only lingering concern is the time it took to get an answer from them. Calls to their number normally results in getting an answering machine, and in spite of them saying they would return the call within 48 hours, they did not. Today, I did however get through, and they were helpful in answering my concerns.

Good find. My friend has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, so I've been looking up all sorts of information.

I found a pretty straight forward site for ordering insulin online from Canada that a mutual friend of ours vouched for: CanadianInsulin.com They seem to be on the ball at around the same prices you mentioned.

 

[Daytona]

Good call to avoid the place that refused to allow you to use a credit card. That sounds super shady.