Scopolamine 10pk $250?

[iyakonboats]

First, I will say these worked better than I could have imagined with zero side effects. When my patch came off, likely from my drying my hair or perhaps in the water (I have oily skin near my ears) I noticed it the moment I came to surface on some above-light chop, putting a new one on and 30-minutes later cured it all. However, I read a few discussions on the board here and I noticed a member, who is an MD, mentions Scopolamine being somewhere in the field of $2-$5/patch. I am not sure if this referenced generic or name brand, but my pharmacy only had name brand and that evening I was departing for Florida, so I just bought it. Side note, my insurance has a deductible just for Scopolamine, even though I had already hit my deductible for my medical coverage...strange.

Does anyone else use Scopolamine? Do you use generic or name brand? For one of my medications, I only do name brand because the generic simply does not perform the way the name brand does; however, not sure if anyone has an opinion for generic vs. name brand Scopolamine.

 

[davehicks]

I use it on open ocean crossings and agree it works great. I tend to get dry mouth as the only side effect. I find I only need to use half a patch at a time. You can just cut one in half with scissors before pealing it off the packaging. That patch is good for 2-3 days. They usually stay on quite well if you soap, scrub, and dry the application area well before sticking it on. Just avoid washing or rubbing that spot while it's on.

As for cost, it can be quite pricey in the USA. I think I paid $90 for a pack of 5 a few years ago. It's MUCH cheaper in Canada where you can buy it over the counter without prescription in almost any pharmacy. I pick up a pack every couple years when I am traveling up north.

 

[bmorescuba]

I signed up for my first liveaboard last summer (Sea of Cortez). Considering how seasick I get, I decided to try the scop patches. I tried them in Cayman Brac on day boats before the trip. Worked like a charm. No drowsiness like meclizine and much more effective.

I got a Rx from my doc and tried to fill it at 4 different pharmacies. My Rx insurance only covers the generic and no pharmacy had the generic in stock. I asked further and they claimed there was a worldwide shortage of the generic patches. So, I ended up paying retail price for the name brand. My cost was $65 for a 4-pack, each lasting 3 days (or until they fell off). It was worth it to me. I only got sick on the liveaboard during the 2 nights in which we motored long distances. And even then, the sickness wasn't bad. Plus once we stopped, I felt better.

 

[Wookie]

GoodRx.com has 4 patches for about $30 bucks for the name brand (Transderm Scop). With GoodRx you can use your normal pharmacy.

 

[CosbySweater]

I'd think it would depend on your insurance. I typically just pay my $10 co-pay for a pack of 5. I use the Perrigo branded patches.

I wouldn't recommend cutting the patches in half. No where on the labeling does it recommend doing that. Also - always wash your hands after you handle the patches. They can really mess your eyes up.

 

[davehicks]

I'd think it would depend on your insurance. I typically just pay my $10 co-pay for a pack of 5. I use the Perrigo branded patches.

I wouldn't recommend cutting the patches in half. No where on the labeling does it recommend doing that. Also - always wash your hands after you handle the patches. They can really mess your eyes up.

Cutting the patch just lowers the dosage. I find I don't need the full dose to reduce symptoms, so it works for me and I have fewer side effects (dry mouth, thirst). Your mileage may vary.

 

[JohnN]

Kwells Adults 12 Pack (Travel Sickness) | eBay

First, I will say these worked better than I could have imagined with zero side effects. When my patch came off, likely from my drying my hair or perhaps in the water (I have oily skin near my ears) I noticed it the moment I came to surface on some above-light chop, putting a new one on and 30-minutes later cured it all. However, I read a few discussions on the board here and I noticed a member, who is an MD, mentions Scopolamine being somewhere in the field of $2-$5/patch. I am not sure if this referenced generic or name brand, but my pharmacy only had name brand and that evening I was departing for Florida, so I just bought it. Side note, my insurance has a deductible just for Scopolamine, even though I had already hit my deductible for my medical coverage...strange.

Does anyone else use Scopolamine? Do you use generic or name brand? For one of my medications, I only do name brand because the generic simply does not perform the way the name brand does; however, not sure if anyone has an opinion for generic vs. name brand Scopolamine.

Have you considered purchasing Scop as a tablet, rather than a patch. The advantage is that you can meter your dose to the sea condition(s). I use Ebay for the purchase and although I have purchased from the UK, they seem to have clamped down on shipping to the US. Australia (where it is available OTC) still works and is a bargain compared to the price of patch domestically. The trade name is Kwells (made by Bayer) Kwells Adults 12 Pack (Travel Sickness) | eBay If you buy multiple packages, you should be able to get flat charge on shipping

 

[CosbySweater]

Cutting the patch just lowers the dosage. I find I don't need the full dose to reduce symptoms, so it works for me and I have fewer side effects (dry mouth, thirst). Your mileage may vary.

I challenge you to point to any documentation that shows that cutting a transderm patch in half is safe and recommended. There was a thread on here a number of years ago about it and the consensus was that you should not do it.

Cutting the Scopolamine Patch in 1/2

Just because it worked for you doesn't mean it's OK to recommend the practice to others....

 

[tursiops]

I find I only need to use half a patch at a time. You can just cut one in half with scissors before pealing it off the packaging.

From the instructions:

 

[Andy in Gap]

You can buy Scopolamine patches on eBay, I get 10 patches for around $18. Hard pass on the US drug cartel charging $250 for the same exact thing.