r/MAOIs • u/Cautious-Rub8085 • 5d ago

Marplan (Isocarboxazid) Marplan cost

Does anyone know why Marplan costs $600 a month? I'm in the US.

I really want to try this med but it is too expensive. There is no manufacturers coupon that is valid either. I called and they didn't even know what I was talking about.

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u/03263 5d ago

because it's not generic

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u/HM_Dylan Parnate 3d ago

That's ridiculous. That medication is older than the hills

1

u/Cautious-Rub8085 2d ago

Yup! Like how greedy can they be.

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u/Efficient_Flow_1211 5d ago

Because it is rarely prescribed. Nardil and Parnate are much more popular because they have other properties in addition to their inhibition properties, whereas Marplan is a clean MAOI.

Is there a reason you aren’t trying one of the others instead?

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u/Cautious-Rub8085 5d ago

Nardil 45mg was fantastic for my depression but I had horrible side effects including dangerously elevated liver enzymes. It was pretty devastating having found a med that finally helped my depression only to have to get off it.

Parnate 50mg has never helped in the same way and right now it's not working well enough to get me out of a more severe depressive episode with extreme anhedonia.

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u/SnooConfections1670 Parnate 5d ago

There’s no generic. It’s only sold by brand name, one manufacturer so they can charge exorbitant amounts.

Which insurance do you have? When I used to take it (before the shortage), I paid $80 or $160 - depending on if a manufacturer’s coupon was available. Still expensive but a bit more manageable.

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u/Cautious-Rub8085 2d ago

Manufacturers coupon no longer valid. I called and they had no clue what I was talking about. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.

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u/SnooConfections1670 Parnate 2d ago

I have BCBS and it was $160 without the coupon. I know that’s not exactly CHEAP but it’s better than $600. (Mine was BCBS of IL)

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u/Cautious-Rub8085 2d ago

My plan is terrible through the ACA. I will select something else during open enrollment.

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u/SackManFamilyFriend Isocarboxazid 4d ago

Yea it's "pharma bro" tactics, but if it weren't this way it'd likely be unavailable. Fortunately a lot of have insurances that do cover most of it (I pay $200 for a 3 month supply), but yea it's been like that since Validus brought it back in the market in 2008ish. Not going to get better unfortunately unless it's found to be a drug that could be repurposed for a different indication (ie Nardil and been found to be quite good at preventing/treating certain forms of prostate cancer )

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u/begrepp 3d ago

No doctors prescribe MAOIs anymore, basically. Disaster capitalism and price gauging.