Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my cinacalcet

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your cinacalcet using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for cinacalcet, Canadian Prescription Savings for cinacalcet, cinacalcet Drug Coupons, cinacalcet Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is cinacalcet available in?

Accepted Answer

cinacalcet is available as a 30 mg, 60 mg, and 90 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is cinacalcet used for?

Accepted Answer

cinacalcet is a calcimimetic that is used to treat high calcium levels from:  Overactive parathyroid that can’t be removed by surgery Overactive parathyroid in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on dialysis Parathyroid cancer

Question 4

How does cinacalcet work?

Accepted Answer

cinacalcet is in a drug class called calcimimetics. It works on your parathyroid glands to lower the amount of parathyroid hormone they produce. In doing so, it lowers the amount of calcium and phosphorus in your body.

Question 5

How do I take cinacalcet?

Accepted Answer

For overactive parathyroid in CKD: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth once daily with food or after a meal. Your provider will adjust the dose based on your parathyroid hormone levels, as well as blood calcium and phosphorus levels. The maximum dose is 180 mg once daily. For overactive parathyroid and parathyroid cancer: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth twice daily with food or after a meal. Your provider will adjust the dose based on your blood calcium levels. The maximum dose is 90 mg three to four times daily.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take cinacalcet?

Accepted Answer

cinacalcet is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if your serum calcium is less than
the lower limit of the normal range.

Question 7

cinacalcet Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of cinacalcet:  Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Muscle aches Dizziness

Question 8

cinacalcet Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with cinacalcet. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Very low levels of calcium: muscle pain and spasms, pins and needles sensation, seizures Stomach bleed: vomiting that won’t stop, blood in your vomit or stool, black, tarry stools, really bad stomach pain Heart problems: abnormal heartbeats, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain or swelling of your arms and legs, feeling confused

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on cinacalcet

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with cinacalcet:  Co-administration with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor may increase serum levels of cinacalcet. Dose adjustment and monitoring of iPTH serum phosphorus and serum calcium may be required Cinacalcet is a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6. Dose adjustments may be required for concomitant medications that are predominantly metabolized by CYP2D6

Question 10

Who makes cinacalcet?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is cinacalcet safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

It is not known if cinacalcet will harm your unborn baby. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant.

Question 12

What is the brand name for cinacalcet?

Accepted Answer

SENSIPAR

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my cinacalcet prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your cinacalcet prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient cinacalcet savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient cinacalcet savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for cinacalcet	Canadian Prescription Savings* for cinacalcet	cinacalcet Drug Coupon*	cinacalcet Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of cinacalcet?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for cinacalcet	Canadian Prescription Savings* for cinacalcet	cinacalcet Drug Coupon*	cinacalcet Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the cinacalcet savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the cinacalcet drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for cinacalcet, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the cinacalcet prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, cinacalcet is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed cinacalcet for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the cinacalcet prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the cinacalcet prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for cinacalcet

If you are having trouble paying for your cinacalcet medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for cinacalcet you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
cinacalcet is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers cinacalcet
If cinacalcet is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for cinacalcet

If you are having trouble paying for your cinacalcet medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for cinacalcet you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers cinacalcet
If cinacalcet is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for cinacalcet

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your cinacalcet treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for cinacalcet you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for cinacalcet
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.