Atelvia Cost Same As Fosamax? (Top voted first)

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My doctor wants me to switch from generic Fosamax to Atelvia.

I can find no prices online for it (yet). The drug rep told my Dr. it costs the same as Fosamax. He must mean the original Fosamax as generic is much less.

It is NOT covered by MedicareRX program, while Fosamax and others are.

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8

SORRY, DIDNT MEAN TO SAY, INEVER TOOK ACTONEL WITH FOOD, I MEANT I NEVER TOOK IT WITH WATER, ALL WAYS SODA ,OR COLD COFFE AND THAT ISNT GOOD

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1

The generic is much cheaper, however fracturing a bone will be much more expensive in the long run. The generic has a lousy absorption rate and is not consistently coated, resulting and many GI side effects. The new drug eliminates the time and compliance issues that this class of drug traditionally have. If a patient has so much as one drink of coffee within the fasting period this will eliminate 90% of the drug reducing it to an expensive placebo. You can have your Doc ask for a prior authorization form and it should go through.

Good luck.

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First, I would like to state that what JJ has stated is not necessarily correct. Yes, there can be differences in generic drugs, but not all of them are inferior and cause problems, it really depends on what company makes it. Some companies do manufacture them with the same strict standards used by the manufacturers of the name brand.

Both of these medications, Fosamax and Atelvia contain active ingredients in the same drug class and treat the same conditions.

Fosamax contains Alendronate and Atelvia contains Risedronate, which is also used in Actonel, but the Atelvia is a time released formulation.

The reason Medicare will not cover it, is because it is available in a cheaper formulation, as well as the generic options in the same drug class.


If the Fosomax has been working for you, there isn't really any necessity in switching, especially if you will have to pay for it yourself. I'd suggest discussing it with your doctor and letting them know how much it is going to cost you to switch. The only way Medicare will agree to cover the drug is if there is a valid reason for it, such as there is no generic equivalent to use or it is a medical necessity.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Fosamax/­

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Atelvia/­

Are there any other questions or comments?

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So what is the generic equivalent to Atelvia, can I take it with food? How do you know if the Fosamax is working before 2 years? How can you be sure that it isnt taken with hard water? How will the generic equivalent stop my gerd and my ppi? What happens if I eat before I take Fosamax but not after? Is it really a good idea to take ANY med on a empty stomach? Do I get a upset stomach because Im taking my meds on a empty stomach?

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4

Verwon writes "First, I would like to state that what JJ has stated is not necessarily correct. Yes, there can be differences in generic drugs, but not all of them are inferior and cause problems, it really depends on what company makes it." That about sums it up. DEPENDS on what company manufactures the drug. There can be 20 companies producing the same generic drug - how the heck will I know if I'm getting the real deal or an inferior product. I was taking generic Wellbutrin and felt nothing. My doctor told me to request the name brand drug and Wow- what a difference. Night and day, honestly. With my insurance I pay a little more for name brand but it is all I will take now. I'm sure some generics are fine but as Verwon pointed out- its like Russian roulette.

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5

if i drink coffee befoe 30 minutes does it still help?

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6

why doesnt medicare cover atelvia, if it costs as much as fossamax?

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7

I CANT, take any pill with water, as i vomit, from when I had to have the colon thing done, it was horrible, thats why I would like a pill I can take with food. Have been on actonel, 2 years, and never have taken it with food!

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9

My doctor just prescribed Atelvia for me. She told me there is a lesser chance of GI upset with Atelvia because it is not absorbed in the stomach but in the intestine. She gave me samples so I don't know yet if insurance will cover it or not.

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@Donna Rehm: If you have always taken your Actonel with coffee or soda then it is pointless to take b/c anything other than water basically makes your Actonel a sugar pill. It decreases the absorption by 90%. That goes for an Oral Bisph. (fosamax, boniva, or actonel). You have to take them with water and wait 30 mins to an hour afterwards to have anything to eat or drink to get the full absorption. Atelvia is the only pill that allows you to eat/drink first and take the med.

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