In the realm of diabetes management, medications like Invokana have emerged as valuable tools to help individuals maintain their blood sugar levels and lead healthier lives. Developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Invokana is a brand name for canagliflozin, a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 to treat type 2 diabetes.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at Invokana, discussing its mechanism of action, benefits, potential side effects, and why is Invokana so expensive.
How does Invokana work?
Understanding how Invokana works involves knowing the role of SGLT2 in the body and how its inhibition can help control blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes:
- Glucose Reabsorption in the Kidneys: When you consume carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into glucose (sugar), which enters your bloodstream. The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining blood sugar balance by filtering the blood. As the blood passes through the kidneys, glucose is filtered out along with other waste products.
- Role of SGLT2: SGLT2 is a protein located in the proximal tubules of the kidneys. Its primary function is to reabsorb glucose from the urine back into the bloodstream. This reabsorption process prevents the loss of glucose in the urine and helps maintain blood glucose levels within a certain range.
- Inhibition of SGLT2 by Invokana: Invokana belongs to a class of medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs work by specifically targeting and blocking the action of SGLT2 in the kidneys. When you take Invokana, it interferes with SGLT2’s ability to reabsorb glucose, preventing glucose from being transported back into the bloodstream. As a result, excess glucose remains in the urine and is ultimately excreted from the body during urination. This reduces the overall amount of glucose in the bloodstream, leading to lower blood sugar levels.
- Reduction in Blood Sugar Levels: By inhibiting SGLT2 and increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine, Invokana helps individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve better control over their blood sugar levels. Lowering blood sugar levels is a critical aspect of diabetes management, as it reduces the risk of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and its associated complications.
This work of action makes the question a legit ask: Why is Invokana so expensive?
How much does Invokana cost with and without insurance?
The Invokana cost can vary significantly depending on several factors, including your location, the specific formulation and dosage of the medication, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance coverage.
Invokana Cost With Insurance:
For individuals with health insurance coverage that includes prescription drugs, the out-of-pocket cost for Invokana will depend on their specific insurance plan. Many insurance plans have formularies (lists of covered medications) with different tiers, which determine how much you’ll pay in copay or coinsurance.
Invokana may be in a higher or lower tier depending on your plan. With insurance, the cost can vary from a relatively low copayment (such as $10 to $50 per month) to a more significant coinsurance percentage (e.g., 20% to 40% of the drug’s cost).
Invokana Cost Without Insurance:
If you don’t have insurance coverage, you will typically pay the full retail price for Invokana. The cost of Invokana without insurance can be quite high. As of 2021, it ranged from approximately $400 to $600 for a 30-day supply of the medication, depending on the dosage strength and location. That is the reason Why is Invokana so expensive.
Is there a generic for Invokana?
There is no generic version of Invokana (Canagliflozin) available. However, the availability of generic medications can change over time.
Canagliflozin is given as part of a treatment plan that often includes diet and exercise recommendations to help people reduce their weight and avoid major diabetes-related problems.
One can avail the best Invokana prices as the generic Invokana is not available yet, and Invokana is an expensive medicine. Go to LifeRx Pharmacy and search for Invokana. One can get huge discounts over the Invokana medicine and offers. Get them delivered to your doorstep easily. No long queues, nor heavy pockets.
LifeRx Pharmacy provides a one-stop solution for medicines like Invokana which raises the question Why is Invokana so Expensive?
Why is Invokana so expensive?
The high cost of medications like Invokana (Canagliflozin) can be attributed to several factors in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry:
- Research and Development Costs: Pharmaceutical companies invest significant resources in research and development to bring new medications to market. This includes conducting extensive clinical trials, which can be time-consuming and expensive. The costs incurred during this phase are often factored into the pricing of the medication.
- Marketing and Promotion: Drug manufacturers also spend substantial amounts on marketing and promoting their medications to healthcare professionals and the public. These expenses contribute to the overall cost of the medication.
- Patent Protection: Pharmaceutical companies typically have patent protection for a certain period after a new drug is approved. During this time, they have exclusive rights to sell the medication, allowing them to charge higher prices. Once the patent expires, generic versions may become available at lower costs.
- Regulatory Compliance: The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, and companies must meet stringent safety and quality standards. Compliance with these regulations adds to the cost of drug production.
- Limited Competition: In cases where there are no generic alternatives or few competitors, drug manufacturers have more control over pricing. Limited competition can result in higher prices.
- Insurance Negotiations: The cost of medications can vary based on negotiations between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies. In some cases, drug manufacturers offer rebates or discounts to insurance companies, which can affect out-of-pocket costs for patients.
- Research and Innovation: The development of new medications often involves innovation that can lead to improved treatments and better patient outcomes. This research and innovation are supported by the revenue generated from drug sales.
- Supply Chain Costs: Medications must go through various stages of production, distribution, and storage before reaching patients. Each step in the supply chain adds costs to the final price raising the pricing and the question both: Why is Invokana so expensive?
- Demand for Diabetes Medications: Diabetes is a widespread chronic condition, and there is a significant demand for diabetes medications like Invokana. High demand can contribute to higher prices.
It’s important to note that the cost of medications can vary by region and may also be influenced by factors such as negotiations between healthcare providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies.
Patients who are concerned about the cost of Invokana or any other medication should explore options for financial assistance, such as patient assistance programs offered by the manufacturer, and discuss potential alternatives with their healthcare provider.
Additionally, healthcare policy changes and efforts to increase price transparency are ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of high drug prices. These are the reasons Why is Invokana so expensive.
How to get Invokana at great pricing?
To get the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information for Invokana, it’s recommended to do the following:
- Contact Pharmacies: Surf the internet and check for LifeRx Pharmacy to get good and exciting prices for Invokana.
- Check for Manufacturer Savings Programs: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Invokana, often offers patient assistance programs or savings cards that can help reduce the cost of the medication for eligible individuals.
- Speak with Your Healthcare Provider: Discuss your concerns about the cost of Invokana with your healthcare provider. They may be able to recommend alternative medications or assistance programs that are more affordable.
- Explore Generic Options: Generic versions of medications tend to be more affordable. But for Invokana it is not yet available and that sparks the question: why is Invokana so expensive?
- Consider Insurance Options: If you do not have insurance coverage, explore options for obtaining health insurance, either through government programs like Medicaid or through private plans on the healthcare marketplace.
Keep in mind that healthcare costs can vary widely based on many factors, and the prices for medications can change over time. Therefore, it’s essential to stay informed about your specific situation and explore all available resources to help manage the cost of Invokana or any other prescription medication.
Endnote:
Invokana can be a valuable tool in the management of Type 2 diabetes, offering benefits such as improved blood sugar control, potential weight loss, and cardiovascular advantages. However, it is essential to be aware of its potential side effects and discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Remember that diabetes management should be personalized, and the choice of medication should align with your specific health needs and goals. Open communication with your healthcare team is key to achieving successful diabetes management with Invokana or any other medication.
FAQs:
How long does Invokana stay in your system?
Invokana stays for around 5 days in the system. It is important to note that individual factors such as liver and kidney function, metabolism, and other medications being taken can influence how long a drug stays in your system. Additionally, the effects of a medication like Invokana may persist beyond its elimination from the bloodstream due to its pharmacological activity and interactions with various bodily systems.
Does Invokana cause weight loss?
Some users of Invokana experience weight loss. This is so that the drug can assist your body in eliminating extra sugar through urine. Invokana belongs to a class of drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These medications work by causing the kidneys to excrete more glucose in the urine, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. In some individuals, the loss of excess glucose in the urine can also lead to a modest reduction in body weight.
Is Invokana Insulin?
No, Invokana is not an insulin. It is a medication classified as a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. SGLT2 inhibitors work by helping the kidneys remove glucose from the bloodstream through the urine. This action helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Can Invokana cause kidney damage?
Yes, Invokana is found to cause kidney damage. While Invokana (Canagliflozin) is generally well-tolerated by most people, there have been reports of kidney-related adverse events associated with its use. These events include acute kidney injury, kidney impairment, and changes in kidney function.
Does Invokana lower blood pressure?
Yes, Invokana does lower blood pressure. Invokana (canagliflozin) is not primarily indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), but it may have some impact on blood pressure levels as a secondary effect of its mechanism of action. Being a heavy-priced medicine with a sparking question: Why is Invokana so expensive? It really needs to help with this blood pressure thing.
