My pharmacist says it's NOT a generic, but a proper replacement... this at my demand that MetanX generics are NOT even close (there are even class action suits).
I know MetanX is used to treat pain from Diabetic Neuropathy, and I believe it worked well before. I'm afraid this "non-generic replacement" may not really be so.
It concerns me that the instructions that came with FoltanX state right off that FoltanX is used as a treatment for patients with high homocysteine levels. I don't have that. It says nothing about diabetic neuropathy, but it could easily have side uses.
Foltanx is a generic version of Metanx. It is manufactured in the same lab with the same ingredients and quantities as Metanx. In 2012 the manufacturer of Metanx, Pamlab, entered into a joint venture with Breckenridge Pharmaceuticals to supply generic versions of their medical foods including Metanx, Deplin and CerefolinNAC. This venture enables patients access to a cheaper reliable version of Metanx in the form of Foltanx.
Votes: +0
BR
Brutus4
18 Nov 2015
I was told by Pamlab, Foltanx and IS NOT A Generic for METANX. The ONLY difference is that Metanx is manufactured outside of the U.S. As a Tricare subscriber, we must us medications manufactured in the U.S. My understanding is Foltanx in manufactured in LA. I found by Tricares admission that there is also a FOLTANX RF. What is the difference? Looking at the pill, it's a capsule just like METANX. Does that mean Metanx, and Foltanx are the same, just different labels?
LT
LTCUSARet
12 Aug 2016
TRICARE Update - as of at least July 2016, Foltanx is not covered by the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy plan. I found out because my existing prescription for Foltanx (last filled via TMOP on May 4, 2016) was denied any of its remaining refills because it was a product "that your plan does not cover." It had been covered before, otherwise it would not have been filled at all. As a former military healthcare administrator, it is clear to me that the TRICARE MOP formulary was updated between my last refill in May 2016 and the cancelled refill in July 2016. It all comes down to cost, which is why they also don't cover Metanx (I checked the formulary and plan coverage just to be sure). Just another example of how DoD bean counters and decision makers are chipping away at the health care benefits promised to our active and retired military and their families when they first entered service.
For military readers, *if* you are lucky enough to be close to a military medical treatment facility (MMTF), you *might* still be able to get Foltanx from your MMTF pharmacy, *IF* -- and it is a big *IF* -- it has been approved by the MMTF's therapeutic agents board. Most likely it has not, so expect to keep forking out at least $40-$70 (after any discounts) a month unless you can buy in bulk for some cost savings. Good luck.
SR
Srez
17 Sep 2016
It is not a cost thing. These drugs are considered medical foods and as such, the FDA changed the status to OTC in May 2016 which is why it is no longer covered. While the status may have changed, you still cannot buy it over the counter so you must still get an rx and buy at the pharmacy. The status change has only changed how it's covered by insurance.
BR
Brutus4
17 Sep 2016
After contacting Metnax, AND Flotanx, both agreed they are NOT the same. My home drug store tried to give me the Flotanx as an "EQUIVALENT". I refused, and called Tricare. I was TOLD, (by Tricare) that Tricare does not cover Metnax because it is a vitamin. I now buy from "Brand Direct" for a little over $100.00 of what I was getting it before. Tricare charged me $60 some odd dollars, Now I pay About $170.00
I don't understand why it's not covered as it works for my condition. I can get drugs that has side affects, and would cost more in the long run, but it's denied at this time. I am working on appealing it, but I have little faith in winning.
LT
LTCUSARet
18 Sep 2016
To Srez -- The Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy covers other products that are OTCs, but they are inexpensive generics. And regardless of what the FDA might or might not have done, our local civilian pharmacies still require a prescription for either Foltanx or Metanx. PLUS, during my 25 years with the Army Medical Department (first 6 years working in hospital pharmacy) it has always been the case in military pharmacy that (1) there are some items that are picked to be included in the formulary regardless of their "Rx vs OTC? Medicine or other medical product?" status, and (2) one of the significant exclusion factors is cost.
My last 19 years were spent as a medical money manager (programming and budgeting the use of military medical funding), and based on my experience working with the higher ups in the AMEDD and DOD (far too many of the latter who really are the dreaded "bean counters" everyone hates because all they see are dollar signs and not the impact on the lives of active and retired service members and their families) , I stand by my analysis that cost was and is the main consideration in no longer including them in the TMOP formulary.
SR
Srez
18 Sep 2016
I cannot speak as to coverage for any specific insurance however, in regards to the FDA equivalence rating on Foltanx RF capsules and Metanx capsules, they are NOT AB rated equivalent to each other so are not substitutable for each other meaning, if my writes for Metanx, it cannot be substituted for Foltanx and vice versa. With this being said, they both contain the exact same ingredients: Algal oil 90.314mg, Levomefolate calcium 3mg, mecobalamin 2mg, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 35mg so in theory should work the same.
It is ABSOLUTELY NOT the same. Foltanx is just a multivitamin... same exact thing as Rite Aid or any store boughten vitamin. Metanx is the Activated form of those vitamins - a completely different compound. For example, 1. Folic Acid (in Foltanx), is converted to "L-Methyl Folate" in Metanx *The converted form (L-Methyl Folate) is absorbed and therefore 7X more Bio-available. Additionally, the "L-Methyl Folate" (in 2.8 mg Metanx) will reduce "Homocysteine" (does damage to the small vessels to the nerves) by 21/3% while the Folacin (in 19.6 mg Foltanx) will reduce "Homocystine"by 7.7%.
You decide, but the data is clear that the activated form in the only part of "Metanx" that makes it worth it's salt. Otherwise, buy your vitamins from your local pharmacy and will continue to fail in helping reduce or prevent nerve damage.
Votes: +0
SR
Srez
11 Oct 2016
Foltanx RF capsules, not plain Foltanx, has the exact same ingredients, with the same l-methylfolate, as Metanx. While they are not AB rated equivalent to substitute for one another, they should work the same in theory. Worth trying at least, just saying.
