Researching Drug Prices...?

[+ cougar]

So I had my annual physical today with my physician and I asked him for a script for Levitra 20mg. I have never used any of the PDE5 Inhibitors and at 64 maybe it is time to just give it a try! Not thinking too much about the cost, since I have fantastic health insurance, including a prescription plan, he sends it to my local pharmacy.

About an hour later CVS calls me to confirm if I really want this full prescription. I had him write Levitra 20mg. #10 and the cost at CVS was....$382.99!!! Oh Hell no! I had them to just fill the script for #5, and that is almost $200. I hope I do not regret this after I get responses here.

I have to admit that drug prices have never been a concern of mine due to my good health and having an excellent prescription drug plan included with my health insurance. But this is new territory for me. I did some searching, and I ran across the website GoodRx and wondered what type of results you guys are experiencing with GoodRx or any other alternative. I would love to hear any experience and guidence from you guys here for filling prescriptions for any of these PDE5 Inhibitors.  Thank you!

[+ azdr0710]

just checking if CVS knew you had the prescription plan and that was reflected in that price quote.....thanks

[MikeBiDude]

@cougar I moved this post to men’s health.

That sounds high for Levitra, but if it’s the real drug and not generic, that might be why. I’m not familiar with Levitra although I did try it many years ago. But generic Cialis and Viagra are far, far beneath that price.

Search the forum for GoodRX there were some posts about using that when I was searching for affordable Truvada. 
 

Edit, here’s one thread:
https://www.companyofmen.org/topic/124262-is-good-rx-worth-it/?do=findComment&comment=1758108

 

[+ cougar]

25 minutes ago, MikeBiDude said:

@cougar I moved this post to men’s health.

That sounds high for Levitra, but if it’s the real drug and not generic, that might be why. I’m not familiar with Levitra although I did try it many years ago. But generic Cialis and Viagra are far, far beneath that price.

Search the forum for GoodRX there were some posts about using that when I was searching for affordable Truvada. 
 

Edit, here’s one thread:
https://www.companyofmen.org/topic/124262-is-good-rx-worth-it/?do=findComment&comment=1758108

 

 

[BeamerBikes]

It's possible that the drug isn't in your insurance formulary (basically pre-approved drugs they cover) or your Healthcare plan doesn't kick in for prescriptions until your deductible is met.  

Happened to me with welbutrin xr.  I used GoodRX for the cheaper price until my deductible was met.  Had a good experience using goodrx.

[+ FrankR]

2 hours ago, BeamerBikes said:

It's possible that the drug isn't in your insurance formulary (basically pre-approved drugs they cover) or your Healthcare plan doesn't kick in for prescriptions until your deductible is met.  

Happened to me with welbutrin xr.  I used GoodRX for the cheaper price until my deductible was met.  Had a good experience using goodrx.

GoodRx is certainly a good option - it is amazing how much difference there is in prices when you look at the various locations. A drug that costs $150 at CVS can be $50 at Walmart or Acme.

[+ JEC]

Check out Mark Cuban's "cost plus" drug company:  https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/categories/erectile-dysfunction/

Levitra is not on the list (yet), Viagra and Cialis are.   But they are adding new drugs almost daily, Levitra is sure to be added at some point

Jack

[+ robear]

In the boner sweepstakes market, Levitra (vardenafil) runs a distant third in popularity after Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). As others have suggested, it probably just isn't in your drug plan formulary while the other two are, at least as generics. My plan lets me check plan prices online, you might want to run the others by your plan and see what you would pay. I pay $5 for 18X20mg tadalafil, which I can refill every three months by mail order. I quarter the 20s, yielding 72 daily doses.

[+ cougar]

Thank everyone for their input! All of these PDE5 inhibitors are probably third tier for all managed care prescription plans. I stuck with Levitra, it is a better & cleaner drug than Viagra and I have no use for Cialis and it's 36-hour half-life. 

I did look into GoodRx and well I was able to get Levitra 10mg #6 for $63, that was good enough for me.

I cannot believe how GoodRx lowered my price so dramatically. 

[Deadlift1]

On 6/29/2022 at 6:32 AM, JEC said:

Check out Mark Cuban's "cost plus" drug company:  https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/categories/erectile-dysfunction/

Levitra is not on the list (yet), Viagra and Cialis are.   But they are adding new drugs almost daily, Levitra is sure to be added at some point

My Doc recommended "cost plus" as well.

Try drugmartdirect.com. a Canadian mail order pharmacy.  I have a drug where only the brand name works.  Insurance will only pay for generic.  In the US it is $325 for 2 weeks.  F that. Canada it's $220 for 12 weeks.  They have great customer service.