Prosed Unavailable!!??! Anyone?

[Pam39+]

My pharmacy (Walmart) justed called and told me that the manufacturer of Prosed has notified them that Prosed is unavailable again and that they are not posting a release date at this time. Anyone else aware of what's going on this time?

[Claredale]

One of our members just heard from her on-line pharmacy that they were being discontinued for now. Maybe to reformulate. At least we know it's not a recall. We both go to the same doctor. Her next appt is next week, so hopefully he will offer Urelle. I will call my on-line pharmacy as well to see if they have any left in stock that I can get. My prescription won't be ready to fill until the 25th. It has been my miracle med, so I pray that this will be a quick transition.

T83

[Tuckersmom]

From time to time, the FDA shuts down the labs that produce these meds, due to the fact that some of the 'red tape rules' for production are not being followed.

There are several other meds in this class that are currently available, including Urelle and Utira-C.

[Claredale]

That's what happened with the B&O supps last summer/fall. At least I have been cutting back since my bladder seems to be doing better. I talked to my mail order pharmacy this morning and they still had some and said if I send in my script they would fill it when it's time. My doctor is going to write me another script to send in. I can get it filled on the 21st. I hope they will do what they say and fill it and hold it for me. They said they would do it with the B&Os last year, but they ran out faster than they thought they would.

Thanks for the heads up. I need to stay on this med even if it's once a day to keep from falling back to where I was last year.

[HGC]

I just spoke to my pharmacist and he said they are changing the packaging but he was able to order 2 bottles to keep for me. I just started taking it (my Dr. gave me samples) so I am not sure if it is helping but this is the first time I am having the Rx filled and my pharmacist didn't have a problem getting it.

[Pam39+]

Thanks for the info guys. I remember this happening a couple of years ago and we couldn't get Prosed or generics. I called the company (Esprit) yesterday. They put me thru to another company (Ferring sp?). I talked to someone in customer service and she asked for the spelling of IC and took my info and said someone would call me back. When I hear from them I will relay the info. In the meantime my pharmacy was able to fill my script thru another company?!? I am kinda confused about that since it doesn't have a generic name on the prescription and they still look like Prosed. The pharmacist was kinda vague when I questioned her. She did say that she was ordering more yesterday and would keep them for me. The pharmacy did say that production was stopping so they could repackage. They also said that they were going to be leaving one ingredient out of it. I am going to try and confirm this info with the company when I hear from them. In the meantime if you use this med try and stock pile what you can. Last time this happened I was able to get a few samples from my Doc so you guys might want to check with your docs or any local urologist to see if they have any samples they are willing to part with and ask your pharmacy to get what they can so that hopefully you will have enough to get thru until production starts back up.

[Pam39+]

that if they run short on Prosed they may run short on the generics in order to fill the Prosed scripts. Just a thought.:smile tee

[Claredale]

Pam, that is who I called too. Also waiting to hear back. I talked to my regular pharmisist and she said that she already has my order in as well. She normally orders some in when I pick mine up. She does the same thing with my B & O supp so I won't have to wait.

Thanks for the update.

[Pam39+]

Tracey,

I'm glad you called them too! I think all of us that use it and benefit from it should inidate them with calls and educate them on IC. Maybe they would make sure that we have adequate supplies before doing this again! The last time I couldn't get it was horrible. I am actually considering lowering my dose again because I am so much better but I swear I started hurting when I got that phone call! I think the bladder pain is due to the stress of thinking about not being able to get the Prosed again if I need it. If anyone else wants to call them the number is 888-337-7464. I explained to the lady I spoke to that this drug is life altering for many of us and that it prevents me from having to take narcotics sometimes. I think they need to hear from us!

[Claredale]

That's what I will do. I called several times when the B&Os supp production was stopped for about 6 months. I am glad that I am on a lower dose now. I know what you mean, when I got the email from my friend last night, I was already in a panic and I have practically a full bottle of them. If the Prosed DS wouldn't have worked last summer when I went on it for my burning and urg/freq, I would have been in trouble because the B&O supp were one of my other things to help with the burning pain. But now I definitely feel that the Prosed is more effective. It's like my bladder is not so irritated anymore. I haven't had to go to the bathroom all day since I have been at work. Never was able to say that for 19 years!

Hugs, T83

[elamar]

I don't think there is a generic of prosed. In case you are worried, I found urelle to be just as effective for me - I actually use the generic version called utira-c. It also turns the urine blue. It costs much less too! So if you are freaking out about prosed, maybe you can give utira-c a try. You may just find it works for a lot less. Couldn't hurt to try. I'm not sure what the difference is in the formulations, but I actually had better results with the utira-c. Hope this helps.

[Angeles]

The Prosed I have is "Atropine Free" and ingredient that was originally in Prosed. I don't know if there was an option to get it with and/or without Atropine. Prosed ins a combination medication (a few ingredients) so perhaps they are revising it???
I only take it as needed, tried taking it for a week and ended up with headaches and eye pain so i tis not a medication to take on a daily basis for me.

Pyridium is always a an alternative to consider untl prosed comes back. Wht I like about prosed though is that it has methilene blue which is an antiseptic.

One question on the B&O suppositories, since it is mentionedn this thread, is that compounded or you can find it in any pharmacy? Can someone tell me the ingredients please...
Thank you ladies :hi:

[TWINBURL]

Is this a med that some of you are taking every day and have been for sometime or is this just a med that you use when you are in a flare?

[Claredale]

I take Prosed everyday. I have been on it for a year now. I am only taking normally 2 a day and my symptoms are not increasing. I have only had one flare during that time and it was probably due to me not getting my depo shot timely for my continuous birth control, so I had started ovulating which used to always send me into a flare. It didn't take long after I got my shot for my flare to go away.

For me it stopped my burning bladder, and has been great with allowing me to hold my urine for quite a while. I normally only pee during the day maybe once at work. versus every couple of hours on my good days. Sometimes I am getting ready to go home and I realize I haven't peed at all while I was at work. Nights I still get up a couple of times, but knowing the way I was before I was on the right combo of meds and with the help of my interstim, I can handle that!

Angeles, I have heard that Pyridium is going off the market too. I haven't seen it officially, just one of the members on here asked me about Urelle/Utica C. I don't know how she discovered that, but I will ask her. I can't use Pyridium at all because it makes me immediately sick to my stomach, plus it can't be used long term.

I am trying to figure out if Prosed is causing my eye pain. But I also have a privacy screen on my computer at work, so I am confused on what is causing the problem or it may be the combo of both. I just know that on weekends, my eyes aren't are sore. I can't go without my privacy screen because I keep work on confidential info. I didn't get it until around March, and that is when I noticed my eye problems. But I have had several meds to effect my eyes.

Angeles, B&O supp are Belladonna & Opium suppositories that are not compounded. (very expensive to go that route!). I get the generic form. All your doctor needs to do is write it for B & O supp 15A or 16Aand the pharmacy will know what that is. They normally don't have them in stock, so it may take a few days for them to get them in. I get mine at Target and the pharmacist that I know orders mine a week before my next appt so that they will be in for me. Also can you pm me with how your eyes hurt. I am really trying to figure out what is going on. It's not enough to keep me from taking it that's for sure. I also notice that mine feel worse by the end of the work day.

Thanks, Tracey

[Angeles]

Thanks for all the info. Tracey I sent you a PM. For those of you wondeing about eye pain's caused by medication: you should have your eye blood pessure checked if you are having eye pain. Not to freak people out but sometimes it could be or lead to glaucoma, that's why people with glaucoma can't take some meds.
Another reason for eye pain can be dry eye, and that can be a pain too but if treated early you can manage it.
I don't know of other reasons for eye pain....

[JanL]

Hi! I checked with my insurance's mail order company and they said that the Prosed made by Ferring is discontinued. The Prosed I have been getting at Target is made by Espirit. The Pharmacist checked and she said that her computers show the Prosed by Espirit discontiuned, but her warehouse had a shipment of Prosed by Ferring. She said that she would compare the new ones and make sure it was the same thing. Called Target and the pharmacist on duty today says that their wholesaler is not showing it to be discontinued, but it is coming from Ferring now and not Espirit. So... she said that they have a good supply in stock. Not sure why the mail order company would say it was discontinued. She said maybe the manufacturer was having trouble getting some ingredient in it. A tech had told me that if there is not enough demand for it, a manufacturer may discontinue it. I am like Tracey. It has helped me so much. I usually only take it twice a day unless I am flaring. I have had a really good summer until the bad heat hit. It is unusual for me to feel good during the summer. I really think the Prosed has been a big factor in me feeling good. I definitely don't want to lose it.

Janice

[Angeles]

Prosed is a quite expensive medication without insurance that's a reason many can't afford it perhaps and there's less demand? Another is that many doctors have not heard about it...(I know b/c a few of ine don't know what it is when I mentiond as part of medications I take as needed) whereas pyridium is more well known.
What a bummer if it is discontinued...I hope not. It certailnly helps people. Can you contact the manufacturer directly?
Let me do some research

[Angeles]

For more information about Prosed® DS, call 1-888-FERRING

That's what I found, maybe they can shed some "light"

[Pam39+]

If you guys noticed the 1st few threads on this issue both Tracey and I called Ferring. I have not heard anything back. I was wondering if anyone else has? Esprit is still listed as the company for Prosed but they are the ones that informed me that Ferring is manufacturing and shipping it. I also stated earlier on that I think it is important that all of us using this call them. The contact info is 877-337-7464. On the issue of Prosed vs. Pyridium; I was told by my doctor the last time Prosed was discontinued that Pyridium is not a good substitute for Prosed because Pyridium is harmful on your kidneys and liver long term. I take Prosed daily. When I am doing well I will only take it 1-2 times a day and have completely stopped it at one point. I have been back on it 4 times a day since Jan. of this year. Prosed works so well for me that I don't have to take pain meds once it kicks in. I did call last week and get my free bottle of Cysto-Q and started that last night(see Cysto-Q post) with great results so I am hopefull I can stop the Prosed and Elmiron and a few other things. In the meantime though Prosed is to important for so many of us to let this issue drop. I feel that if we contact this drug company and educate them maybe it will help. We owe it to ourselves and to all the others that it helps to do this.:smile tee

[Susie2271]

I've been using Prosed for 2 years now and have also been through times when it's not available. I was able to locate Urised online, based on a post: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/urised.html. It worked in a pinch. :-).

[jjt001]

The last time Prosed was unavailable I was able to get Urised. It didn't work as well and as I remember you have to take it more often, but it was something, at least. Prosed did become available again after several months, hopefully that will happen again!

[Claredale]

My pharmacy is filling mine on Tuesday and already had a supply for the next 2 weeks for me. It just depends on what supplier your pharmacy is using. So since I am only taking it 2 times a day as long as my bladder behaves, I should have a good supply. My on-line pharmacy has it too, but I told them last Friday that my regular pharmacist could get it.

When I was at my mom's friends house over the weekend. One of the couple's daughters works at the Target closest to my work. He even called her and she was able to get a supply in. So just be patient if you are looking for it. This may all stop to a halt, but I am doing what I can to preserve what I have and can get my hands on. My doctor knows very well that taking Prosed DS has been allowing me to discontinue taking a couple of my meds I have been on for years plus decrease my pain meds. He is all for that!

Hugs, T83

I panicked with the shortage of B&O supp and all that did was stress me out. But it also led me to Prosed. Yes, I am an optimist this evening, let's just hope it keeps up. I am feeling quite normal and actually sleepy, so I am going on to bed!

Hugs, T

[Angeles]

:hi:Hi all, I just want to tell you that the Walgreens pharmacy I use HAS Prosed DS (Atropine free).

I wanted to hurry and share this with you since I know some of you are needing it.

You can call your local Walgreens and see if there's available, there may be pharmacies tha still have it in stock. So I wonder if they can even ship it to another i.e Walgreens at anotehr city/State. If you really need it may be worth a try calling around.
Good luck!

[Claredale]

Walgreens ships to different locations in the metro area in alot of cases, but I haven't heard of them shipping to other states.

But another option is Target and also Rite-Aid. I went there today to pick up one of my hubby's scripts and they said they had Prosed DS in stock as well.

[JanL]

Yea! :smile tee A representative from Ferring called me back this week. They are NOT discontinuing Prosed. There was a voluntary recall of one batch because it was not allowed to dry long enough and over time would turn powdery. Even it does turn powdery, it is still safe to take. She said that the pharmacists just did not read far enough to realize what was going on. So... we can stop worrying. Prosed will still be available according to Cindy at Ferring. She asked that I post this on here so everyone would know. She also said that they loved to hear reports of it working so well.

Janice

[Pam39+]

Thanks Janice :angel:and thanks to everyone:angel: else that made phone calls and tried to gather info on this issue. I for one feel extremly blessed to know I always have others who understand what I am going thru!:angel: I can't imagine not having this site to go to. I think that it is so great that we can all share info and cheer each other on thru good times and bad.

[Angeles]

Just curious, do you also pay like $1 per pill???
I know it is an expensiv medication but with insurance, that's how much I'm paying.
Like $90 for a 90 pill bottle.

[Tuckersmom]

With my insurance, Prosed is $120.00 for 360 pills, which is a 90 day supply. I currently take Urelle, which costs me the same as the Prosed. I've tried Utira-C ($80.00 for 360 pills), but it doesn't seem to work as well for me as Urelle does. I'd prefer Urimar-T ($120 for 360 pills) over all of them, but it was unavailable till June of this year, so I made the switch to Urelle.

[Claredale]

I pay a little more than $50.00 for 120 pills (Prosed). It is on my 3rd tier for my insurance, but as my hubby says with the way it works for me, we would pay more if we had too. Not that we have that kind of money. I have 2 other meds that are pricey, one not being for IC, but I know that is is helping me live a better life.

T

[Millicent]

I hope this is not the case! I love Prosed! Perideum doesn't work for anything on me!

[sleekgirla]

i just got prosed ds today and for 90 pills is $208. my insurance does not cover it. so I will have to pay $150 a month for it if it works as walgreens has a savings plan. utira-c is thirty dollars cheaper but you girls on here seem to stick with the prosed ds. so I am really hoping it helps me. if so I will be trying canadian pharmacies as they are usually quite a bit cheaper. mine was also atropine free...dunno what this means.

[Pam39+]

for 90 pills with my insurance. I also pay $65 for 30 days of my Elmiron. Without insurance it can get very costly. I paid $400 a month for the Elmiron. The Prosed was about 1/2 of that.

[glassd18]

I luckily just filled a 90 days script for Prosed DS. I don't use it too frequently so it should last. Thanks for the heads up.