Opinions - U.S. Ambien (Zolpidem) price is absurd...

[Nicaine]

Don't worry, I'm not going to name any prices (although any 'legit' online U.S. pharmacy will give the general idea). But recently SWIY had to pay for a bottle of 10 Ambien tablets out-of-pocket, as his insurance only covers a certain quantity per month.

Without quoting prices, let's just say that a single (standard, non-CR) tablet would pay for eating lunch out, and two of them would cover dinner out at a decent restaurant... tip included!

The pharmaceutical conglomerates are evil. It's surprising that they haven't been able to buy out enough politicians yet to eternalize drug patents. Maybe it's because a lot of politicians are older folks who use quite a few medications themselves, and don't want to be driven into the poorhouse.

IMO the profits the drug companies make are well and truly obscene -- the markups are often larger than that of illicit drugs sold on the streets, even if we allow for R&D expenses (which aren't always high for every drug) and the FDA approval process. For a "convenience drug" like Ambien, one is probably looking at around a 60,000% markup over what it cost to make the drug in quantity. Well and truly nauseating.

[Benzeneringz]

Holy crap, SWIM definatly feels lucky now. SWIM use to get a monthly script for 30 Ambien 10mg tabs. This was for a duration of about 7 months, and each and every time SWIM had to get a new script his insurance covered 100% of the cost. I had no idea the actual cost was outrageous, even with a co-pay! SWIM was blessed, obviously.. blessed by insurance.

[Kristy]

7 months is a VERY long time to be taking Ambien every night, SWIM took it every night for about 2 months and even that made SWIM feel a bit loopy and depressed.

[highganja99]

Wow for SWIM a box of 30 pills only costs the price of a pack of cigarettes.

[Nagognog2]

In the USA, there is what has been called the "doughnut" in medicare/medicaid payments for elderly folks on social security - as well as disabled folks. The doughnut is where your coverage is good up to $2,000. Then your insurance vanished (into the doughnut-hole) until you reach $5,000. This leaves a hole of $3,000 you must come up with out of pocket. Not just for medications, but any medical services.

For those on pensions and/or social security to survive,this often means a choice between medication, or such frills as food and heat and rent.

Let us all take a moment to say a thank-you prayer for George Bush allowing this to happen... I'm surprised I haven't heard about gangs of elderly folks robbing drug-stores at gunpoint.

[London_Bloke]

Originally Posted by Kristy

7 months is a VERY long time to be taking Ambien every night, SWIM took it every night for about 2 months and even that made SWIM feel a bit loopy and depressed.

Not so much.... it's circumstantial (isn't everything?). I have been on some form of sleep medication all my adult life. The FDA approved first Lunesta then Ambien for long term use but before that, we hard-core insomniacs had no choice. We'd take one med for a while until it stopped working, raise the dose to get effectiveness again and do this until we hit a level where our doctors were no longer comfortable with the situation and then we'd move to a different drug and start the process all over again.

I've been on Lunesta almost 2 years straight - this was the intended use for both Lunesta and Ambien, both being non-narcotic. As for the loopy and depressed part, some of these intense sleep medications can hit people pretty hard. But honestly, when you've gone months with less than 10 hours a week cumulative sleep, the side effects of metallic taste or residual grogginess seem like I small price to pay to get what everyone else get's for free - a good night's sleep.

[DrMuffy]

Yes SWIdr must agree, the prices for both Ambien and Lunesta are way too much. Its cheaper buying a xanbar on the street the buying one ambien/lunesta sleeping pill without insurance. The nerve of some pharmaceutical companies these days!!

[Ambient1]

I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that in less than six months, generic manufactures will be able to produce generic Ambien at a much cheaper cost. Sonafi-Aventis will have to lower thier price to compete with generic manufacturers or be forced to lose a great deal of revenue.