How to help your patients find Crexont XR in stock: A provider's guide

Helping Your Patients Find Crexont: A Practical Provider's Guide

Prescribing Crexont (Carbidopa/Levodopa extended-release capsules) is straightforward. Making sure your patients can actually fill the prescription is another matter. As a newly launched brand-name Parkinson's medication, Crexont is not yet stocked at every pharmacy. This guide offers practical strategies your practice can implement to minimize access barriers for your patients.

Understanding the Access Challenge

Crexont was FDA-approved in August 2024 and entered the market in late 2024. As of early 2026:

• It is not on the FDA shortage list, but availability is inconsistent
• No generic version exists
• Cash price ranges from $540 to $665 per 30-day supply
• Many retail pharmacies do not carry it routinely
• Prior authorization is frequently required

Your patients may face delays of days to weeks if they simply bring a Crexont prescription to their usual pharmacy without advance preparation.

Strategy 1: Identify Crexont-Stocking Pharmacies in Your Area

Build a reference list of pharmacies in your region that regularly stock Crexont. Use these resources:

• MedFinder for Providers at medfinder.com/providers — search by zip code to find pharmacies with Crexont in stock
• Contact your local CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacy managers to confirm they carry Crexont
• Ask Amneal's field representatives which pharmacies in your area are stocking Crexont

Keep this list in your EHR or share it with your front desk and nursing staff so they can direct patients at the point of prescribing.

Strategy 2: Send Prescriptions to Known-Stocking Pharmacies

When prescribing Crexont, electronically route the prescription to a pharmacy you know carries it, rather than the patient's default pharmacy. This prevents the common scenario where a patient arrives at their pharmacy only to learn Crexont isn't available.

Have this conversation with the patient at the appointment: "I'm sending your Crexont prescription to [Pharmacy Name] because they have it in stock. Is that OK?"

Strategy 3: Submit Prior Authorization Proactively

Many payers require prior authorization for Crexont. Don't wait for the pharmacy rejection—submit the PA at the time of prescribing. Key tips:

• Include documentation of previous Carbidopa/Levodopa therapy and motor fluctuations
• Note clinical rationale for extended-release formulation (e.g., wearing-off, compliance)
• Reference the ADVANCE-PD trial data showing 1.55 hours more "Good On" time versus IR Carbidopa/Levodopa
• Use peer-to-peer review promptly if the initial PA is denied

Strategy 4: Educate Patients on Self-Advocacy

Equip your patients with the information they need to navigate pharmacy access on their own:

• Direct them to MedFinder to search for nearby pharmacies with Crexont in stock
• Advise them to call pharmacies ahead to confirm specific strength availability
• Share information about the Crexont Savings Program ($25 copay for commercially insured patients)
• Provide a printed list of pharmacies that carry Crexont

Consider sharing our patient-facing articles: How to find Crexont in stock near you and Why is Crexont so hard to find?

Strategy 5: Enroll Patients in Amneal Support Programs

Amneal Pharmaceuticals offers two programs that can improve access and affordability:

Crexont Savings Program

• For commercially insured patients
• Copay reduced to as little as $25 per 30-day supply
• Maximum Amneal contribution: $150 per fill
• Applied automatically at the pharmacy for most patients
• Enrollment at crexont.com/support-resources

Amneal Patient Assistance Program

• For uninsured or underinsured patients meeting income criteria
• Provides free Crexont medication
• Application available at amneal.com

Consider having your office staff help patients complete enrollment at the time of prescribing.

Strategy 6: Establish a Backup Conversion Protocol

Despite best efforts, there will be times when a patient cannot obtain Crexont immediately. Establish a clear conversion protocol for your Crexont patients:

• Rytary: Approximately 1:1 Levodopa component conversion. Most similar clinical profile.
• Sinemet CR: Requires dose adjustment; longer onset but less predictable absorption.
• IR Carbidopa/Levodopa: Use conversion table from prescribing information; shorter dosing intervals needed.

Document the backup plan in the patient's chart so that any provider covering your patients can implement it quickly. See our alternatives guide for more detail.

Strategy 7: Use Mail-Order and Specialty Pharmacy Options

For patients with stable Crexont doses, mail-order pharmacy can provide:

• More reliable inventory of newer medications
• Home delivery convenience
• 90-day supplies (often at lower copays)

Some payers mandate specialty pharmacy for Crexont. Identify which patients are affected and route prescriptions accordingly.

Workflow Summary

Here's a streamlined workflow to integrate into your practice:

1. Decide to prescribe Crexont based on clinical indication
2. Check MedFinder at medfinder.com/providers for stocking pharmacies
3. Send e-prescription to a known-stocking pharmacy
4. Submit prior authorization proactively
5. Enroll patient in Crexont Savings Program or PAP
6. Provide patient with pharmacy list and MedFinder link
7. Document backup conversion plan in chart

For more provider resources, visit medfinder.com/providers.

Related: Crexont shortage: What providers need to know | How to help patients save money on Crexont