How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma™
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma™ puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Onivyde?
Onivyde is the brand name of irinotecan liposome injection, which is a medication used to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer. It is FDA-approved and is in the antineoplastics, topoisomerase inhibitors (camptothecins) drug class, which refers to anticancer drugs that break the DNA strand in cancer cells and lead to regulated cell death (apoptosis).
Onivyde is only available via prescription, and is recommended to be taken in conjunction with other cancer medications. A healthcare professional must administer the drug, and there are contraindications, such as pregnancy. There are potential side effect risks, and a doctor will discuss them with a patient before administration. There are also various drug interactions, so patients should share all medications and supplements they are taking with their healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
What Is Onivyde Used For?
Onivyde is used to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer, which means the cancer has spread to other body areas. Potential candidates for this drug are patients with metastatic cancer who have gone through gemcitabine-based therapy.
The make-up of Onivyde helps it penetrate the cancerous tumor while preventing it from being cleared from the body before reaching the tumor cells. It also has a prolonged circulation time, which allows for adequate time to damage the tumor. Subsequent doses of the drug eventually destroy the cancerous cells. However, this mechanism also affects normal, healthy cells. Patients who take Onivyde may receive additional cancer treatments at the same time. Doctors may also recommend drugs to reduce side effects.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Onivyde Dosing Information
A healthcare provider, such as a doctor or nurse, administers Onivyde once every 2 weeks. During the appointment, the healthcare professional inserts a needle into a vein in the arm and will begin the infusion. This drug must be administered slowly, so the tube remains in place for around 90 minutes.
The specific dose given varies from one patient to another, and factors involved include the patient’s size (body surface area), medical condition, and response to each treatment. The doctor will make adjustments as necessary. For example, a physician may reduce or discontinue the dose if a patient experiences adverse reactions.
Before administering Onivyde, the doctor may have the patient take medication to manage side effects like nausea and vomiting. Patients should continue with the treatment plan, even if they do not feel well after the treatment sessions. They should talk with their healthcare provider about options to reduce side effects.
For patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, Onivyde is given along with other drugs, specifically leucovorin and fluorouracil. Onivyde is recommended by the manufacturer to be given before the other two medications.
Onivyde Side Effects
Side effects that usually do not need medical attention, and may subside with continued use include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weight loss
- Hair thinning or loss
- Decreased appetite
- Loss of strength or weakness
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Abdominal pain
- Increased sweating
- Feeling of warmth
- Mouth-watering
- Tearing of the eyes
- Skin sores
- Cold feet and hands
Certain side effects may require medical attention. Patients should inform their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following:
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Thirst
- Wrinkled skin
- Decreased urination
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Dry mouth
- Unusual fatigue
- Sunken eyes
- Severe diarrhea
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Black and tarry stools
- Side or lower back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or slow heart rate
- Sore throat
- White spots or ulcers in the mouth
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Pale skin
- Chills
- Painful urination
Because some of the potential side effects can be serious, doctors may recommend that their patients have certain medical tests taken at frequent intervals to ensure the drug is not causing harm. Patients should tell their physician about side effects, especially severe ones, to prevent further complications or life-threatening conditions.
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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