Phenobarbital Shortage?? (Page 2)

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I am having trouble getting phenobarbital from the pharm due to lack of supply. Anyone else having this issue?

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21

I have taken both phenobarbital and phenytoin daily to control my seizures for 30+ years. That is with the exception of approximately an 18 month period (2007-2008). Doctor said I was "taking old time medicine" and he switched me to this new drug, topomax, that was going to be wonderful for me. I kept telling him I just didn't feel quite right, was not having seizures, but kept pleading for my "old time" medicines back. He kept pushing me off at each appointment I had, saying "let's wait for your next 3 month checkup and see". In Spring of 2008 I totaled my car, during rush hour, on the freeway due to seizure while on topomax! Lucky I didn't kill anybody. Four more seizures - within 3 months. One of them happened while I was walking across a well-traveled road (crossing at green traffic light walk signal) and I just dropped to the ground. Lucky someone protected me from being run over until ambulance arrived. I HOLD THAT DOCTOR RESPONSIBLE for my car crash and 4 seizures that followed within a few months. I finally got my "old time medicine" back in Summer 2008. In November 2013 my Phenobarbital 3 month RX cost $6.52 (same ballpark price range over the years). In February 2014 the 3 month RX cost $54.59! Almost a 900% increase. My body needs both phenobarbital and phenytoin to be seizure free! I cannot afford to go thru a repeat of Summer 2008. Will I be able to find phenobarbital on May 1st? If so, will I have to sell my house in order to afford them? How could we, the consumers who desperately need phenobarbital to control seizures, retaliate against the manufacturer, WEST-WARD, so they would have to "walk in our shoes" experiencing denial of this critical drug??

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22

My dog received a script from local pharmacy for Phenobarbital 30mg and there's no Lot # or Exp date on the script? Does anyone use this drug? If so have you recently received a script and what was your lot number and exp date? Is this medicine still good ? Should I give it to my dog? If someone can lmk if they've recently picked up a script and what info was on it I'll be ok giving it to my dog... please reply

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23

First, change your doctor. If you where controlled with phenobarbital and phenytoin, stick with them. Topamax is good but not for everyone.

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24

I used Phenobarbital for 40 years and its the only thing that controlled my IBS and now I cannot find it, this Bentyl crap is what I get and the side affects is not comforting and it does not work like the Phenobarbital at all, FDA lies of course again. So what now? Its 2015 and still no word on the return of the one medication that worked for me and having a normal life. Who out there can tell me now what to do. Cause these doctors I have don't get it. Are there any New answers of when the Phenobarbital will return to the Market ????

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25

Phenobarbital is available. It's ridiculously expensive for a generic, but target pharmacy and cvs Caremark both carry it.

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26

I too have been taking PB for 30+ years. Until the past six months, I have never had a problem getting my medication. I take the 32.4mg dosage, and have to search from month-to-month for the medication. For the one who said, "Keep a cool head, and just pick up the phone and call around," keep in mind that some of us work 75 hours per week and are limited by our time constraints. Also, you can only transfer a prescription one time, then its back to the DR. for another RX even though you still have 5 refills remaining. It is frustrating, but it is what it is . . . . We must all grin and bare it. Don't worry, President Obama will take care of this for us--he has made healthcare sooooooo much better! Sorry--enough said.

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27

My dog has been on phenobarbatol for the past 10 years to control her seizures. We started at about 20.00 per 90days and in March it was up to 53.00....imagine my shock today when I picked it up and it cost 133.00 for the same pills. The drug companies are making a killing on these meds. I work in the pharma industry (not a drug company) and there has been a lot of talk about shortages and cost increases due to research....and some of it has been true....but there is no current shortage of this med and no reason for research and development so therefore no reason for such a drastic jump in price. Just greed!

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28

Shadow, the same thing just happened to me. My dog has been on pheno for about 10 years. It was $10.50 a month until a few years ago. The price started creeping up. Last month I paid $40.50 and today it was $92.50. WHAT??? Like you said, this is nothing but greed.

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29

Caz, 16.2mg seven times a day ? that sound dangerous. 16.2 twice a day is 32.4mg. Get another doctor.

I had a pharmacist at Wallgreens tell me they had a back order. I tried another and another pharmacy. I prayed to God for help. CVS called me to help with my meds.

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30

I have been taking phenobarbital for at least 60 years, and it has worked great in conjunction with Dilantin to control my seizures. Now the pharmacy says none of their suppliers have it. I need this medication if I am to function on a daily basis.

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31

My local CVS doesn't carry it. Went to a local mom & pop drug store where I was able to get it but instead of taking 3 30mg, I had to get a prescription for 1 97.2mg. Okay, I could dal with that. Then they can't get that either. Transferred prescription to another and yet another, this time to Walgreen's. I can only pray that they were being honest when they said they have the 97.2mg in stock. Not bad enough? CVS is now having trouble getting my phenytoin sodium 100mg (Dilantin). I am definitely not anxious to have another seizure, after 20+ years of being seizure-free.

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32

We're you able to locate this medication? If not I maybe able to help. Let me know thank you... I'm in the pharmaceutical business... This item will become more expensive in the coming months...

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33

Apparently there is a complete shortage in SA for both humans and animals (my Black Lab needs 230mg per day), there is a paste available but now this is also in short supply. I'm trying to source from the UK but this is proving problematical too.

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34

Wish I had an answer for you. I took take those same drugs, and they have totally controlled me seizures for well over 20 years. No way will I switch! Lately I did have difficulty finding my phenobarb, but luckily got it at Walgreens before I ran out. I don't know the cost these days, my medicare advantage plan covers all my meds.

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35

There is no shortage. The problem is greed. The bottom line is always MONEY.
Suggestions for a similar drug: Levsin or Librax...However, the prices on these have gone up too...just not quite as high as donnatal.

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36

I have also been on Phenobarbital for over 60 yrs. It helps better than any medicine I have taken, yet if I miss a dose I usually have a seizure.

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37

Is that why the price has gone sky-high? Maybe that is just an excuse. Being the only provider could be making them very greedy!

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38

MORE expensive? I was quoted $350 for 30 pills. I just couldn't afford that. But, the Levsin & Librax aren't as good.

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39

How can you help?
And, for how much?
I'm just curious, as I cannot pay what the pharmacy quoted.

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40

I'm not on this medicine but my brother took it years ago for epilepsy. Luckily he "grew outside of it" as a teenager and hasn't had a seizure in over 40years after having grand mal seizures 2-3 times a week for over 4yrs. I read the posts out of curiosity as to why such an old medicine would be in such a short supply. My opinion is that since PB is a scheduled drug and has potential for abuse, the DEA is putting pressure on drug companies and drs as well to make/prescribe drugs that are less likely to be abused. Just my opinion as I have seen it happen w/ other medicines I take.

I hope this can be of help someone out there.

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