What's the difference between formulas?

November 15, 2022 2:34 PM

Suplena is out of stock everywhere. Nepro is available. I consume Suplena because I have kidney failure. Nepro is also for people like me. But I haven't been consuming it and it's not listed an alternative for me. I need to know if Nepro is okay for me.

I am in contact with my PCP about getting an alternative formula ordered (I assume it will be Nepro), but that will take time no matter what. And as always, time is running out for me. I need an idea of what I can do out-of-pocket for when I run out of Suplena on Thursday.

posted by Stuka to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

Best answer: Nepro has a lot more protein and fewer carbs; it's generally meant for patients on dialysis or sometimes diabetes. It's nearly double the protein and if you're balancing that, you'll need to make a lot of non formula changes if you take in other food. You need to ask your care team to get you a least a phone or video consult with a real dietician, preferably one with kidney or dialysis experience, to work with you ASAP.
posted by cobaltnine at 4:46 PM on November 15, 2022 [4 favorites]

Best answer: First, sorry you're dealing with this; formula and supplement shortages from Abbot have been a huge issue lately.

Second, IANYRD, but seconding cobaltnine; Nepro is not generally recommended for folks with kidney failure who are not on dialysis. I did a quick search and could not find an easy Nestle equivalent for Suplena. As a practicing dietitian, this is exactly the question I would want a patient to come to me with when I was in clinical practice - it's our job! Your RD/nutrition professional will be able to help tailor what they say to you and your kidneys/labs. This is what's known as "medical nutrition therapy", and renal/kidney nutrition therapy really does need to be customized to you.

Your insurance may have a 24-hour nurse line that could also provide information so that you can get some kind of answer in a timely fashion.

Does your insurance allow for purchasing an alternate online (ex: Amazon) and then reimbursing the OOP cost via an HSA or FSA? Could your RD/medical professional recommend some short term meal or easy recipe/smoothie options that would provide you similar nutrition to the Suplena while you wait for an answer or more of it?
posted by OhHaieThere at 10:18 PM on November 15, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: After consultations, my PCP has ordered Nepro as an alternative for Suplena. Thank for the input. I will check on the things OhHaieThere mentioned.
posted by Stuka at 12:52 PM on November 16, 2022