Finding the Right Doctor for an Eohilia Prescription

If you've been dealing with trouble swallowing, food getting stuck in your throat, or chest pain when eating, you may have eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). And if you've heard about Eohilia (Budesonide oral suspension) — the first FDA-approved oral treatment for EoE — you're probably wondering how to find a doctor who can prescribe it.

Eohilia was approved by the FDA in February 2024 for patients 11 years and older. It's a 12-week course of treatment that costs around $1,930 per 30-day supply without insurance. Not every doctor is familiar with it yet, and getting a prescription involves a few specific steps.

This guide walks you through exactly how to find the right provider near you.

What Kind of Doctor Prescribes Eohilia?

Eohilia is primarily prescribed by specialists, not your regular primary care doctor. The types of doctors most likely to prescribe Eohilia include:

• Gastroenterologists — These are the most common prescribers. Since EoE is diagnosed through an upper endoscopy with biopsies, you'll need a GI doctor at some point in the process.
• Allergists/Immunologists — Some allergists manage EoE, especially since the condition is closely linked to allergies and immune system dysfunction.
• Pediatric gastroenterologists — For patients ages 11 to 17, a pediatric GI specialist is often the right choice.

Your primary care doctor can refer you to one of these specialists if you don't already see one.

Step 1: Ask Your Primary Care Doctor for a Referral

If you suspect you have EoE or have already been diagnosed, your first step is to talk to your primary care doctor. Let them know you'd like to see a gastroenterologist who is experienced with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Be specific when asking for a referral. Not all GI doctors have the same level of experience with EoE. Here are some helpful questions to ask:

• "Can you refer me to a gastroenterologist who treats EoE?"
• "Is there a specialist in this area who has prescribed Eohilia before?"
• "Are there any academic medical centers nearby with an EoE program?"

If your insurance requires a referral for specialist visits, getting one from your primary care doctor will save you time and money.

Step 2: Search for EoE Specialists in Your Area

If you want to do your own research, there are several ways to find a doctor who treats EoE:

• Hospital and academic medical center websites. Many large hospitals and university-affiliated medical centers have dedicated EoE clinics or motility programs. These are often the best places to find doctors who are up to date on the latest treatments, including Eohilia.
• Your insurance company's provider directory. Search for gastroenterologists in your plan's network. Once you find a few names, call their offices and ask if they treat EoE and are familiar with Eohilia.
• Patient advocacy groups. Organizations like the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) and Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease (CURED) maintain resources and may help you find specialists.
• Online doctor review sites. Search for gastroenterologists in your area and look at reviews from other EoE patients.

Step 3: Call Ahead and Ask the Right Questions

Before you book an appointment, call the doctor's office and ask a few key questions:

• "Does the doctor have experience treating eosinophilic esophagitis?"
• "Has the doctor prescribed Eohilia before?"
• "Does your office help patients with specialty pharmacy coordination and insurance prior authorization?"
• "How long is the wait for a new patient appointment?"

This step can save you weeks of waiting for an appointment with a doctor who may not be the right fit. Offices that have prescribed Eohilia before will already know how to handle the specialty pharmacy process and insurance paperwork.

Step 4: Prepare for Your First Appointment

Once you've found a specialist, prepare for your visit by gathering:

• A list of your symptoms and how long you've had them
• Any previous endoscopy reports or biopsy results
• A list of medications you've tried for swallowing problems, including PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
• Your insurance card and any referral paperwork
• Questions about Eohilia — how it works, what to expect, and what the costs are

If you've already been diagnosed with EoE and are specifically seeking an Eohilia prescription, let the office know when you schedule. Some offices may be able to start the prior authorization process before your first visit.

Can You Get Eohilia Through Telehealth?

Telehealth can play a limited role in getting Eohilia. Here's why: EoE is typically diagnosed through an upper endoscopy with esophageal biopsies, which must be done in person. So your initial diagnosis will require an office or hospital visit.

However, if you've already been diagnosed and have previous endoscopy results, some gastroenterologists may be willing to:

• Review your records via telehealth
• Prescribe Eohilia based on your existing diagnosis
• Manage follow-up appointments remotely

This can be especially helpful if the nearest EoE specialist is far from where you live. Ask the doctor's office if they offer telehealth visits for established patients or for initial consultations with record review.

What If There's No Specialist Near You?

If you live in a rural area or a region without a nearby EoE specialist, you have a few options:

• Travel to an academic medical center. Many patients travel to larger cities for their initial EoE workup and then manage follow-ups closer to home or via telehealth.
• Ask your local GI doctor to consult with a specialist. Some gastroenterologists who haven't treated EoE before are willing to prescribe Eohilia with guidance from a colleague who has.
• Contact Takeda's support line. Call 1-866-861-1482 for help locating prescribers and specialty pharmacies in your area.

What to Expect After Getting Your Prescription

Once your doctor writes the Eohilia prescription, the process isn't over. You'll still need to:

1. Get insurance prior authorization. Your doctor's office will submit this. It can take 1 to 2 weeks.
2. Connect with a specialty pharmacy. Eohilia is not available at regular pharmacies. Your doctor's office will usually coordinate this.
3. Ask about the Head Start program. Commercially insured patients may be able to get a free 30-day supply while waiting for insurance approval.
4. Check the copay offer. Eligible patients with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per 30-day supply through the Eohilia Copay Offer (max $2,500 annual benefit).

For help finding a pharmacy with Eohilia in stock, use MedFinder to check real-time availability near you. You can also read our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Eohilia in stock.

The Bottom Line

Finding a doctor who can prescribe Eohilia starts with getting to the right specialist — usually a gastroenterologist or allergist with EoE experience. Ask for referrals, call ahead, and don't be afraid to travel or use telehealth if needed.

Once you have your prescription, the next hurdle is getting it filled. For tips on navigating that process, check out our guides on finding Eohilia in stock and saving money on Eohilia.