Tykerb refused

Rupali · 05-07-2007, 02:42 PM

My onc put in a prescription for Tykerb alone for me and that was denied by the insurance company. I have CIGNA HMO
I am stage 3 C and wanted to get it for preventive basis. My onc was not willing ti put Xeloda in for me.

Is anyone just taking Tykerb alone?
Are there any trials showing how good tykerb is alone?

Michele U , are you taking tykerb alone as your and my case is kind of similar.

Please respond.

SoCalGal · 05-07-2007, 05:24 PM

Hi,

I don't know the answer to any of your questions, but if I were you, I'd have my onc follow protocol and write the script for both meds. When I re-ordered my tykerb, I did not reorder the xeloda at the exact same time for a bunch of reasons (they aren't dispensed with the exact same amount - you only use xeloda for 14 days and tykerb is daily, etc, etc. I stopped the tykerb for a few days, per my onc., there are a million reasons if your doc is smart). I doubt you would have probs once the first perscription is processed. And if you were forced to order and co-pay for the zeloda, I'm sure you could donate it to someone without insurance.
Good luck.
Flori

Lolly · 05-08-2007, 09:24 PM

Rupali, I think the reason your insurance denied Tykerb is because right now the FDA approval is for Stage IV, and also as Flori points out was approved in combo with Xeloda. However, the main sticking point with the insurance would be using it in earlier stage disease without data to back it up...
Playing the devil's advocate here: your onc may think it would be beneficial, and although there's nothing to say it won't be there's also nothing to say it would be. Some insurance companies are more lenient than others, but generally they will err on the side of caution for a number of reasons.

<3 Lolly