Author Topic: From expensive INOVA for acne to generic, inexpensive, better products on Amazon  (Read 3214 times)

AnonSezze

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Mostly I just wanted to get this out there so that it comes up in google searches to help prevent other people from being ripped off by unscrupulous dermatologists prescribing this drug.

For years I've had moderate acne and I'd go to a dermatologist to get prescriptions to keep it controlled. Originally when I was young this was my parent's idea.

Eventually after trying various prescriptions we found a product called INOVA to work well.
http://innocutis.com/products/inova/

So, I'd deal with a somewhat high copay ($45) for a supply that would last about a month and a half and it worked fairly well.

Fast forward to last year and my company offers a new HSA/CDHP alternative health insurance plan. The HSA is attractive because since it costs the company less money they kick in a fairly generous monthly contribution to the HSA even if you don't contribute anything yourself. Even better, I could max it out with my own contributions on top of theirs and save a lot on income taxes plus have that money invested and growing tax-free in the HSA.

But there was one big problem keeping me from that glorious HSA tax-advantaged wonderland. I'd have to buy INOVA at retail prices. Guess how much? Over $300 a box. Which would last only about a month and a half. At a cost of $2400+ a year this meant the HSA was not worth it even with the employer contributions since I'd have to pay so much for INOVA.

I went to the dermatologist to ask if there was a generic version of this drug. They said no, which I later found out was a lie. I have a hard time believing they could not be aware that there were generics easily available on Amazon. They only offered an EVEN MORE expensive drug instead.

That year I didn't search hard enough for alternatives and I took their word for it that there was no generic. Disappointed, I continued with the PPO plan and missed out on the awesomeness that is an HSA.

This year before it was time to sign up for my healthcare plan choice I did more homework. I looked up the active ingredients. Both are available in inexpensive products on Amazon, that as a bonus also don't smell awful (my girlfriend definitely noticed that huge improvement!):

Topix Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Wash 8 oz bottle

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads, 60 Count

There are quite a few other options on Amazon alone but these are the ones I ordered. They worked just as well if not even a little better than the expensive INOVA Rx and instead of smelling bad they smell nice.

I was very angry at that doctor and his PA. Between missing out on the company contributions to the HSA for a year, the tax savings, the capital gains, and having to pay $45 copays for INOVA this probably cost me something like $2500 last year thanks to the greed and lies from my dermatologist/PA. I'm thinking they get a nice fat commission for themselves when selling those expensive prescriptions to you and they wouldn't get that if they told you about the generic alternatives. Is it even legal to lie to you like that about generics not existing? Really scummy.

Anyhow, I want to trust doctors, but this isn't the first time I've been ripped off and experienced some really ugly greed. There are good ones out there for sure, but beware the greedy ones.

But hooray for finding a better, way less expensive alternative. Try the products I linked above if you have acne especially if your dermatologist prescribed INOVA.

[MOD NOTE: Referral links removed.]
« Last Edit: April 24, 2015, 03:37:49 PM by arebelspy »

Cpa Cat

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I had a similar experience dealing with moderate adult acne. Like you, I basically stopped using the expensive one and quit seeing my dermatologist for awhile. I had assumed, based on information he'd given me, that I didn't have many options other than to deal with it or may hundreds of dollars for a 30 day supply of medication that really didn't work that well.

Eventually, I asked to go back on a cheap medication that worked several years ago, but had been pushed aside in favor of the expensive one (it was implied that the more expensive one was somehow safer - but this turned out to be untrue). The cheap ones had always worked better.

So I get the cheapo meds and he says he wants to see me every three months. The medication costs a whopping $10 every three months, but the appointment with the guy costs $100 each time. So after two of these, I finally ask if there's a safety or health reason for me to keep visiting every three months to get my script renewed.

Nope. He just likes to monitor how things are going with his patients. So I ask, "Is there any expectation that I'm not going to be doing well for some reason?" And he said no, it's really more of a courtesy visit.

WTF. I'm paying 11x the cost of my medication so that the guy can exchange pleasantries with me?!

Something must have shown on my face when he said that, because suddenly every 12 months was totally okay.

EmFrugal

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I'm new to the forum, but this post caught my attention since I too have suffered from acne the better part of my life. As a teen I went on Accutane, which mostly cleared up the cystic acne. But as an adult, it came back. Perhaps due to pregnancies or just hormonal shifts. I'm not sure.

The one thing that has worked for me however for the past two years and has completely cleared up the cystic places as well as pretty much all bumps was going gluten free. I do not have celiac disease, but for whatever reason eliminating gluten from my diet, eating whole foods as much as possible, and upping my fruit and veggie intake drastically improved my skin. When I add it back in, I get cystic spots again like clockwork. I still exercise and sweat 3-5X a week, but even with the sweating, I no longer suffer from breakouts. Only gluten causes them.

You may have already tried an elimination diet of sorts (some people are sensitive to dairy, sugar, gluten, etc and have to experiment with their triggers), but I highly recommend trying an elimination diet as an option to save additional $$ and improve your health.

And as a side note, it took me three months of going completely gluten free before my cystic places cleared up. It can take awhile for the inflammation from a food sensitivity to leave your body, so patience is key!

Chrissy

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I too have tried everything, including Accutane, Proactiv, cutting out sugar, dairy...  About 6 weeks ago, I had some hormonal issues, and the interwebs recommended cutting out gluten.  My skin has never been this clear.  GLUTEN!  I had no idea gluten could make you break out; I thought it gave you trouble with your gut, which I didn't have, but apparently, I'm "gluten sensitive" rather than "gluten intolerant".

I'd gone a week when I noticed my skin was looking really good.  I can cheat a little, but an all-day carb fest led to a breakout within 24 hours.

I'm still cautious, but if I stay clear, I will discontinue my Exposed subscription ($57 every 8 weeks).

Laura

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I've never heard of that INOVA product before. That's pretty crazy how expensive it was though.

I have always dealt with acne problems. Recently, I was considering going back to the dermatologist, but I still haven't set an appointment. When I previously went to the dermatologist 5+ years ago, I remember that there were these prescription Sulfur face clothes that I used to wash my face in the morning and at night. Those clothes worked the best for me. So, I actually just looked up Sulfur products for acne on Amazon and I've been using them for a week and a half now and it has cleared up my face a lot. Be careful if you are allergic or have a sensitivity to sulfur though. I've never had problems with sulfur products, but I know that my mom has had allergic reactions to them.

Here is the face wash:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004A9N77K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the sulfur ointment:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H5UP96I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1v

These products definitely dry out your skin, but I would truly rather have dry skin than have loads of red spots all over my face. But if you just moisturize a lot, the dry skin won't be such a big problem


 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!