Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my imatinib

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

What dosages is imatinib available in?

Accepted Answer

imatinib is available as a 100 mg and 400 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is imatinib used for?

Accepted Answer

imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative diseases, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, hypereosinophilic syndrome or chronic eosinophilic leukemia, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Question 4

How does imatinib work?

Accepted Answer

imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It blocks a certain protein in your body called tyrosine kinase. This helps stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Question 5

How do I take imatinib?

Accepted Answer

imatinib is typically dosed 400 mg or 600 mg by mouth once daily in adults, depending on the condition being treated. Children’s dose will be based on their height and weight. The daily dose is taken by mouth, either as a single dose or as 2 equally separated doses during the day. The maximum dose is 600 mg per day.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take imatinib?

Accepted Answer

imatinib 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.

Question 7

imatinib Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of imatinib include:  Fluid retention or swelling Nausea Muscle cramps Bone, muscle, or joint pain Diarrhea Rash or other skin reaction Fatigue or tiredness Headache Stomach pain Common cold Bleeding Vomiting

Question 8

imatinib Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with imatinib. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Infections: fever, chills Heart failure: shortness of breath, dry cough, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, weight gain Liver damage: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, tiredness Stomach bleed: blood in vomit, black or tarry stools, bright red blood mixed with stools Serious skin reactions: rash, hives, peeling skin, blisters

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with imatinib:  CYP3A4 inducers – May decrease imatinib levels and effects CYP3A4 inhibitors – May increase imatinib levels and effects imatinib is an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 which may increase the levels and effects of other drugs. Patients who require anticoagulation should receive low-molecular weight or standard heparin and not warfarin

Question 10

Who makes imatinib?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is imatinib safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

imatinib can cause harm to your unborn baby if taken while pregnant based on human and animal data. You should take a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use effective contraception during imatinib treatment and for fourteen days after stopping imatinib. Notify your physician if you are or think you may be pregnant.

Question 12

What is the brand name for imatinib?

Accepted Answer

GLEEVEC

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

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

Accepted Answer

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

Accepted Answer

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

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

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

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

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 imatinib 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 imatinib you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for imatinib
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.