Why is Nuvigil so expensive? And why does my insurance refuse to cover it?

7 Jan 2012

Nuvigil is a prescription medication used to help people stay awake and alert. More specifically, the drug is approved to treat people with excessive sleepiness due to the following sleep disorders:

*Sleep apnea (known medically as obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome or OSAHS)
*Narcolepsy
*Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), a problem in people who work night shifts or who frequently change between day and night work shifts.

Nuvigil is a monopoly molecule which has no generic in the market, so maybe it is expensive.

Adderall is a prescription medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used to treat narcolepsy. Because Adderall is an amphetamine and is commonly abused, there are special rules for prescribing it.

Adderall is available as generics as the patent has expired.

Both meds are different to each other, please do not change your meds without seeking the advice of the doc who prescribed Nuvigil.

Take care, best wishes!

7 Jan 2012

11 Apr 2012

This medication is very expensive. My Dr. prescribed me samples, and my insurance has refused it also. Here is what you need to do; If it is refused by one Dr., you may need a second opinion!! Another opinion got me the medicine but it was through a Psychiatrist. My Primary care physician could not get it approved due to the expense. The cost is what keeps your insurance from paying. I'm sure you received a letter saying there were cheaper alternatives as I did. You need to ask for a State hearing and the answer will usually be a yes. Not that many people go this far to get a medication. They will settle for another. If you feel you NEED this med. please do as I say and you should be able to receive it!