Need Help to Pay for Meds?
 
Medication costs may be a hardship for some of us diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder; a financial impossibility for others.  Many psychiatric meds are expensive and there is no shame in seeking available assistance to help with the cost.

First of all,  don't wait to run out of medication before doing something about it! Your first line of defense is to let your doctor know.  He has no idea whether or not you have insurance unless you tell him.  Your doctor has several ways of helping in such a situation.  He usually has a supply of “sample” medications to help you in the short term and can access longer-term free medication for you through the pharmaceutical industry.  Not having money to pay for medication is a poor excuse for not taking it.

Remaining compliant to your medication regime is the most powerful road to mood stability.

Some Sources for Assistance include the Following:

Many individuals with bipolar disorder do not have insurance coverage to pay for their prescriptions.  There are several kinds of help that could be explored if one finds oneself in this position;

Many individuals with bipolar disorder do not have insurance coverage to pay for their prescriptions.  There are several kinds of help that could be explored if one finds oneself in this position;

Ask your doctor.  Don't be ashamed to tell him or her that buying the meds is a financial hardship.  He may have free samples, or be able to get free samples of the drug you need.
 
bulletNeedyMeds
 
bullet NAMI | Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs - Free or low-cost medications provided by pharmaceutical companies.  NAMI provides a list of 800 numbers to call and ask the drug manufacturer directly what their position is on free meds.
 
bullet RxAssist
 
bulletWelcome to HelpingPatients.org
 
bulletRxHope.com
 

 

Many pharmaceutical manufacturers have special programs to assist people who can't afford to buy the drugs they need. One problem is that it's often hard to learn about these programs. Our goal is to make this information easily accessible.

Each company has its own program with its special requirements, forms, and procedures. Actually, some companies have different programs for different drugs. There is no central clearinghouse for obtaining information about these programs or the drugs themselves.  Some manufacturers will work with patients, others prefer making arrangements with their doctor.

Medications, Companies, and Telephone Numbers

Abilify
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
800-332-2056

Asendin
Lederle Laboratories
703/706-5933

BuSpar
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 800/332-2056

Calan
Searle
800/542-2526

Celexa
Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
800-851-0758

clozapine (generic)
IVAX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
800-327-4114 x4344

Clozaril
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
800/257-3273

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals 800/546-0420

Depakote
Abbott Laboratories
800/441-4987

Desyrel (150 & 300 mg pills only) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 800/332-2056

Effexor
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
703/706-5933

Elavil
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
800/424-3727 

Eskalith
Scios, Inc.
800/633-0711

Geodon
Pfizer Inc.
866-443-6366

Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. 800/797-7737

Haldol, Haldol Decanoate
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
800-577-3788

Isoptin
Knoll Pharmaceutical Company 800/524-2474

Klonopin
Roche Laboratories, Inc.
800/285-4484

Lexapro
Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
800-851-0758

Lithobid
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Check their website for further information.

Loxitane
Lederle Laboratories
703/706-5933

Ludiomil
Ciba Pharmaceuticals
800/257-3273

Luvox
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
800/788-9277

 

 Navane
Pfizer Inc.
800/646-4455

Neurontin
Pfizer Inc.
800-707-8990

Norpramin
Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc.
800/221-4025

Remeron
Organon
800/241-8812

Parnate
Scios, Inc.
800/633-0711

Paxil
SmithKline Beecham
Pharmaceuticals
800/546-0420

Prolixin, Prolixin
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co
800/332-2056

Prozac
Eli Lilly and Company
800/545-6962

Risperdal
Janssen Pharmaceutical
800/544-2987

Serax
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
703/706-5933

Serentil
Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
800/556-8317

Seroquel
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Check their website for further information.

Serzone
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
800/332-2056

Sinequan
Pfizer Inc.
800/646-4455

Stelazine
Scios, Inc.
800/633-0711

Surmontil
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
703/706-5933

Tegretol
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
800/257-3273

Thorazine
Scios, Inc.
800/633-0711

Trilafon
Schering Laboratories/Key
Pharmaceuticals
800/656-9485

Valium
Roche Laboratories, Inc.
800/285-4484

Wellbutrin
Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
Check their website for further information.

Zoloft
Pfizer Inc.
800/646-4455

Zyprexa
Eli Lilly and Company
800/545-6962