Prevacid

I posted this on the Centennial message board but thought someone here might have information:

I got a letter this week from Blue Cross saying that they will no longer cover
Prevacid as of May 1st. They stated that I would need to change to one of the
following generics - omeprazole or pantoprazole. Did anyone else get this
letter? Are these generics the same as Prevacid? I am on the state employees
Blue Cross plan.

Cheryl V

Pantoprazole is the generic for Protonix and it works great.  I actually only take it 3 times a week (I'm post-op 14 months and really don't have to take it any longer).  Check w/your doctor and see what they choose to prescribe as an alternative.  Personally, I like the fact that I have a lower co-pay because of the generic and have a medication that works just as well as what I was taking previously.

I was supposed to be on Prevacid immediately when I got home for surgery. I dropped off the scrip and they said it needed prior approval. I waited a week only to find it had been denied. They changed me to Nexium instead. It is working fine.
BTW Omeprazole is generic Prilosec and you can get it over the counter both name brand and generic at Walgreens.

Karen

I take the omeprazole. My Rx plan has a mail order and if I order 3 months at time, then my co-pay is 0. Before I had this plan I bought mine at Sam's it was like $18 for 45 tablets and it worked fine for me. hope this helps.

Cheryl

Thanks everyone!  That makes me feel better.  The doctor told me that I would have to take Prevacid for the rest of my life and I got a little worried when I got the letter.  I will take it to my next doctor's visit.

Cheryl V

My insurance would not cover it either, so my doctor switched it to NEXIUM and that is fine. My pharmacist said he actually likes Nexium better. Maybe you can switch also. Good Luck.