Latest news with #Farxiga
Health Line
10 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
How much does Farxiga cost with Medicare?
Farxiga can cost up to $600 without insurance, with costs varying by pharmacy and whether you choose the brand or the generic. With Medicare coverage, your out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a medication for helping lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart and kidney issues for those with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. With Medicare, drug overage usually comes through a Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan. But whether your plan covers Farxiga and how much the drug will cost after coverage depends on your plan. How much does Farxiga cost per month with Medicare? Depending on where you get it, the cost of Farxiga without insurance can be over $600. The generic version, dapagliflozin, still costs more than $400. Farxiga can be covered by Medicare Part D or a MAPD plan. However, whether this medication or its generic version is covered by your Medicare drug plan and how much the plan will cover depends on its specific list of covered drugs, called a formulary. Private insurers manage Medicare drug plans and will have a different list depending on the plan. In addition, keep in mind that Medicare drug plans also have a deductible, premium, and copay that can vary depending on the plan. In 2025, the national base beneficiary premium for Part D is $36.78. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans is $17. What tier is Farxiga on? Within your plan's formulary, the insurer will place Farxiga in a tier. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you'll pay as a copayment, with the generic version typically in a lower tier than the brand-name drug. Many Medicare drug plans should include Farxiga, though its tier will depend on your plan. If your plan doesn't include this drug, it may include an alternative and equally effective medication. Generally, Medicare drug plans must cover at least two drugs from the most commonly prescribed categories. If the plan includes it and classifies it in a higher tier, your insurer may require prior authorization for coverage, which could include Step Therapy. This means you'll be asked to try a different, equally effective, but more cost-effective medication first before Medicare will approve coverage for Farxiga. Takeaway Farxiga is a drug designed to help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart and kidney issues for those with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. Without insurance, the cost of Farxiga can range from around $400 to $600, depending on the pharmacy and whether you choose the brand-name or generic version. Usually, Medicare drug coverage comes through a Medicare Part D plan. While your exact coverage and costs for Farxiga depend on the specifics of your plan, many Medicare plans should cover this medication. Plus, once Medicare's price negotiation agreement starts in 2026, the price with coverage should be more affordable. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
These diabetes drugs are finding new life as an antiaging hack
Some health-obsessed Americans believe the next antiaging therapeutic already exists—in the medicine cabinets of millions of diabetes patients. The widely used class of drugs, called SGLT2 inhibitors and sold under brand names such as Jardiance and Farxiga, have been on the market for over a decade as Type 2 diabetes medications. They have also gained regulatory approval to treat conditions like heart failure and kidney disease. Recently, though, the drugs have emerged as a hot topic on popular health podcasts and Reddit forums for longevity enthusiasts, many of whom don't suffer from any of those conditions. Instead, they are adding SGLT2 inhibitors to a roster of hacks they hope will help them live healthier for longer—or in other words, increase their healthspan. The drugs work by helping the kidneys release extra glucose from the body through urine, improving blood-sugar levels. While there are no studies of whether they can extend the lives of healthy humans, a growing body of evidence shows they help protect against multiple age-related diseases and reduce mortality rates for patients with certain chronic conditions. Some researchers believe they may also affect the fundamental biology of aging. 'This is probably the drug class of our era," says Dr. Timothy Gong, section physician leader for heart failure and transplant cardiology at Baylor University Medical Center, who has researched SGLT2 inhibitors. 'You see cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, even general internists as well, just getting so excited." Gong says he wouldn't be surprised to take an SGLT2 inhibitor one day, once they are studied more, though he's free from heart issues and diabetes. Yet it's too early to prescribe it for longevity benefits in otherwise healthy patients. 'I don't think that the evidence is strong enough yet for us to be able to say that," he says. Right now, use of SGLT2 inhibitors for potential antiaging benefits is limited mostly to a growing community of so-called biohackers, who seek to optimize their health through experimentation with gadgets, behaviors and various medicines and supplements. Because most take it off-label—meaning, for a nonapproved use—the drugs typically aren't covered by insurance and can cost hundreds of dollars a month out of pocket. Dave Aiello, a Boston chiropractor who doesn't have diabetes, began experimenting with the drugs after learning about a promising study in mice. The 38-year-old wanted to get ahead of health problems but was disenchanted by what he saw as a reactive approach to disease in conventional medicine. 'I'm trying to see if I can just stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible," says Aiello, who has been taking an SGLT2 inhibitor called empagliflozin since 2022. He also takes the kidney-transplant drug rapamycin off-label and has previously taken the diabetes pill metformin—both of which have gained traction as potential longevity boosters, too. He was particularly impressed by research showing SGLT2 inhibitors can help the body manage blood sugar more efficiently, which in turn supports cardiometabolic health. He says he's encouraged by the results so far: Between 2022 and 2024, Aiello's hemoglobin A1C, a measure of average blood sugar, fell to 4.6% from 5.1%, his laboratory test results show. The drugs aren't free of potential side effects, including increased risk of urinary-tract infections, dehydration, and in rare cases, severe genital infections and a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. When Aiello first started taking empagliflozin, he felt dehydrated and experienced fatigue and brain fog. Those side effects have subsided since he decreased his dose and has made sure to take in more electrolytes. 'I'm a little more willing to take some risks that could potentially affect me in the short term if I do think that there might be a benefit," Aiello says. It isn't clear precisely how SGLT2 inhibitors might protect against the ravages of aging, but the research in mice offers clues. In 2020, a National Institute on Aging-funded study found that one SGLT2 inhibitor called canagliflozin extended the lives of male—but not female—mice by 14%. One theory is that the drugs help slow the aging process partly by blunting blood-sugar spikes. Scientists say that by driving insulin levels down, these drugs promote fat burning and create an anti-inflammatory effect that mimics calorie restriction, which studies suggest can slow the pace of aging. Still, many drugs that work in mice don't work in humans, says Richard A. Miller, who led the study and is director of the Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at the University of Michigan. His lab is now studying how the small molecules inside slow-aging mice change over time. If a drug in humans produces these same metabolomic shifts seen in slow-aging mice, he says, it would provide more confidence that it could slow aging in people. 'We still have a lot of work to do to prove that the drugs do the same thing in people," says Miller. 'The hint here is that it's actually slowing the aging rate." Alan Vuong, who works in sales in Austin, Texas, started taking the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin this year after hearing a podcast interview with Miller. The 34-year-old has a family history of Type 2 diabetes and wanted to lower his fasting insulin level, a measure of metabolic health, from normal to optimal. He spends about $150 a month on his longevity protocol, which includes a dozen drugs and supplements, and has seen his insulin levels drop since starting the medication. Other than having to use the bathroom in the middle of the night more often, a known side effect of the drugs, Vuong hasn't noticed other physical side effects. 'My end goal is to extend lifespan, but more importantly, healthspan," he says. 'I'm willing to take that gamble."
Medical News Today
28-05-2025
- General
- Medical News Today
Can you take Farxiga while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) may be unsafe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain factors, including the risks of fetal harm, may determine whether you should take the drug during this time. If you may be or can become pregnant, it's important to consider whether Farxiga is safe for you. There are limited studies on this drug's effects on human pregnancies. However, animal studies have shown that kidney problems linked to this medication can occur in a fetus. Because of this risk, Farxiga shouldn't be used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. During the first trimester, Farxiga should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Farxiga during pregnancy. It's unknown whether Farxiga passes into breast milk. However, the drug's manufacturer recommends against breastfeeding while taking this medication. This is because if Farxiga does pass into breast milk, there's a possible risk of side effects in a child who's breastfed. If you're taking Farxiga, consult a doctor about safe feeding options for a breastfed child. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Diabetes Heart Disease Pharmacy / Pharmacist Drugs
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PDAB weighs diabetes drug affordability, as Moore weighs bill to expand PDAB
Medication vials marked for calibration await counting at the Exchange Pharmacy at Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 27, 2023. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jared Duhon/U.S. Air Force) A Maryland board tasked with bringing down prescription drug costs is working through a 'dossier' of a medication to treat type 2 diabetes — the first of many such reports to determine if there are ways for the state to save money on certain medications. The Prescription Drug Affordability Board unveiled a 92-page draft report Monday for Farxiga, a brand-name medication for dapagliflozin, to help board members determine if the drug is 'unaffordable' for Marylanders. It is the first of several dossiers analyzing the cost burdens of six popular prescription drugs in an effort to find avenues for the state to save on medications for those on the state's health plan. PDAB staff have been working on the Farxiga dossier since November, according to Andrew York, executive director for the board. He hopes that future dossiers will be easier to pull together now that staff have a format to work with. Six drugs were selected for 'cost review,' and address several conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, eczema, Crohn's disease and more. Dupixent Farxiga Jardiance Ozempic Skyrizi Trulicity 'I think staff now knows the time it takes to put these dossiers together,' York told the board during the virtual Monday meeting. 'That organizational process and cross referencing to make sure that everything is available to the board — that took a lot of time and effort. But now that that template's in place, I think we'll be moving forward pretty quickly.' Since the board's inception in 2019, it has been involved in a lengthy rule-making process to determine what drugs could be expensive for state employees and to establish methods to bring those costs down. In March 2024, PDAB board members officially selected six drugs to undergo the 'cost review' process, part of which includes an information gathering period to develop a dossier on the drugs. But the board has yet to bring down costs for any drugs on the state health plan. Meanwhile, Gov. Wes Moore (D) is expected to sign off on legislation Tuesday to expand the authority of the board to bring down costs for more Marylanders, not just those on the state plan. Critics in the legislature and the pharmaceutical industry cited the pace of the board's progress to argue unsuccessfully against expanding PDAB's authority, but House and Senate bills to do just that passed by comfortable margins this year. House Bill 424 and Senate Bill 357 would allow the board to establish what are called upper payment limits on the commercial market, to place a limit on how much the state is willing to pay for certain drugs. The board currently has that authority for state employees and others on the state health plan. The expanded authority would only go into effect a year after the board has successfully placed upper payment limits for two drugs on state health plans – meaning it will still be some time before the state can wield its new authority on the commercial market. But the dossier Monday sheds some light on different considerations that the board will use to determine if it will take action to reduce state spending on Farxiga — including overall state spending on the drug, prevalence of the diseases that the prescription drug treats, and costs of the disease to the health care system. In Maryland, about 10.5% of adults aged 18 years or older had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2022 data, the report says. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'In Maryland, for calendar year 2021, total and per-patient medical costs attributable to diabetes were $6.506 billion and $11,909, respectively,' the report says, citing data from the American Diabetes Association. The dossier reports similar data for other conditions Farxiga is often prescribed to treat, such as heart failure and Chronic Kidney Disease. From 2022 through 2023, Maryland spent $1.4 million on the most common dosage of Farxiga (10 MG) for those on the state health plan – about 289 Marylanders, according to the dossier. The dossier reports that out-of-pocket costs for Farxiga can vary, depending on insurance coverage. The median cost for 10 milligrams of Farxiga cost $160 for those with commercial insurance in 2023, but those on the state health plan paid $60 for the same dose. Meanwhile, those on Medicare paid a median of $158.90, according to 2022 data. But portions of the report are redacted from the public due to confidentiality restrictions, and the dossier is not finalized yet. Following Monday's meeting, PDAB staff will make tweaks on the dossier to more clearly relay the information. The Farxiga dossier will then go up for a 15-day public comment period. Staff is working on a dossier for another drug that helps treat type 2 diabetes called Jardiance, which should also be available for public comment soon, according to York. The board still has to officially determine if Farxiga or Jardiance pose an 'affordability challenge' before board members can consider next steps to bring down costs, which could include setting upper payment limits. Savings for the state health plans still appear to be a ways off.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
AstraZeneca's Soriot Warns US Against Trade Tariffs on Medicines
AstraZeneca Plc's Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot warned that trade tariffs are not the best way to manage pharmaceuticals and that drugmakers are calling for no additional US levies on medicines. 'We actually believe that a better incentive to attract investment in manufacturing and in R&D is to have a great tax policy that incentivizes companies to invest in the country,' Soriot said on Bloomberg TV on Tuesday. AstraZeneca believes any impact of levies on the company would be short-lived given its manufacturing presence in the US. Still, Soriot said the industry is calling on the Trump administration not to put levies on imported medicines, after they were excluded from recent announcements. The drugmaker posted higher profit in the first quarter that still disappointed investors due to weaker than expected sales of key cancer medicines. The company's shares fell as much as 4.7% in early trading in London, and are down about 16% over the past year. Astra said it is discontinuing a late-stage trial of its Truqap prostate cancer treatment, based on a recommendation from an independent data monitoring committee. Truqap is already approved for treating breast cancer. Earnings per share, excluding some items, were $2.49, the company said Tuesday, above the $2.26 estimated by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Sales of major cancer medicines were lower than anticipated, with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst John Murphy saying in a note that weakness in cancer and rare disease drugs were a potential source of concern. Still, sales of its diabetes and heart disease drug Farxiga were nearly 6% higher than expected, while revenue from its newer cancer medicine Enhertu was also ahead. The British drugmaker confirmed its guidance for the year and also said it was committed to investing and growing in the US. Astra has already announced a $3.5 billion investment in its US business by the end of 2026. The cash will go toward research and development as well as manufacturing. Astra is also trying to move on from a damaging probe into current and former employees in China that ensnared the drugmaker's president in the country. The company said it received an appraisal opinion in April from Shenzhen City Customs Office regarding suspected unpaid importation taxes amounting to $1.6 million, which Astra said likely relates to Enhertu. 'A fine of between one and five times the amount of unpaid importation taxes may also be levied if AstraZeneca is found liable,' the company said. Analysts had previously been reassured by Astra's earlier estimate that it could be fined just $4.5 million for suspected unpaid import taxes for two other cancer medicines Imfinzi and Imjudo. The latest update on China would likely be welcomed by investors, Jefferies' analyst Benjamin Jackson said in a note. This year Astra announced a $2.5 billion research hub in Beijing as it seeks to capitalize on booming interest in the scientific prowess emerging in China. The project indicated a strong partnership with the government despite the probe. The drugmaker has had several positive readouts this year from potential blockbuster medicines, including data from its experimental cholesterol drug that significantly reduced 'bad' cholesterol in a mid-stage trial. That could be part of a powerful combination drug targeting weight loss and related ailments. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. First Published: 29 Apr 2025, 01:36 PM IST
