Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my drospirenone

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

What dosages is drospirenone available in?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone is available as an oral tablet in a pack that contains 21 tablets with 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 7 placebo tablets.

Question 3

What is drospirenone used for?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone is an estrogen/progestin combination that is used to prevent pregnancy.

Question 4

How does drospirenone work?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that contains 2 hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Both hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:  Suppressing ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary) Changing cervical mucus to block sperm movement Creating an unfriendly environment for the fertilized egg by changing the lining in the uterus (womb)

Question 5

How do I take drospirenone?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone comes as a pre-packaged course (28 days) of medication. There are 21 active tablets and they each contain 3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol. There are 7 placebo tablets and they don’t contain any active medication.
The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 7 days. The tablets must be taken in order as shown on the medication packaging.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take drospirenone?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone 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 you have any of the following:  Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems Women over 35 years old who smoke High risk of blood clots Blood vessel problems that affect the heart or brain Abnormal uterine bleeding where the cause have yet to be diagnosed by your provider History of certain heart conditions Uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes Pregnancy Breast cancer (current or previous) which might be hormone-sensitive Headaches involving the spinal cord or brain Migraine headaches with or without aura if over 35 years old Liver tumor Current treatment with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir)

Question 7

drospirenone Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of drospirenone:  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Headache/migraine Breast pain/tenderness/discomfort Nausea/vomiting Stomach pain/tenderness/discomfort Mood changes

Question 8

drospirenone Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with drospirenone. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, tiredness, stomach pain

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with drospirenone:  Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes (for example, CYP3A4) may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs

Question 10

Who makes drospirenone?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is drospirenone safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

drospirenone is contraindicated during pregnancy as it may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.

Question 12

What is the brand name for drospirenone?

Accepted Answer

YASMINZARAHOCELLASYEDA

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

How do the NowPatient drospirenone 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 drospirenone 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 drospirenone	Canadian Prescription Savings* for drospirenone	drospirenone Drug Coupon*	drospirenone 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 drospirenone?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for drospirenone	Canadian Prescription Savings* for drospirenone	drospirenone Drug Coupon*	drospirenone 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 drospirenone savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the drospirenone 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 drospirenone, 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 drospirenone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, drospirenone 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 drospirenone 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 drospirenone 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 drospirenone 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 drospirenone

If you are having trouble paying for your drospirenone 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 drospirenone you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
drospirenone 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 drospirenone
If drospirenone 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 drospirenone

If you are having trouble paying for your drospirenone medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for drospirenone 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 drospirenone
If drospirenone 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 drospirenone

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 drospirenone 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 drospirenone you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for drospirenone
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.