Imiquimod cost and coupons

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved imiquimod to treat:

• actinic keratosis (commonly known as sunspots or age spots) on the scalp or face in adults
• external genital warts or perianal warts (warts around the anus) in adults and certain children

Read on to learn about imiquimod and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription.

Cost of imiquimod

Like other medications, the cost of imiquimod can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much imiquimod costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for imiquimod

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of imiquimod.

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for imiquimod when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Common questions about imiquimod and cost

Here are some common questions about imiquimod and their answers. 

Does imiquimod cost less than Aldara?

Aldara is a brand-name version of imiquimod that is no longer available. The only brand-name version of imiquimod that’s currently available is Zyclara. Typically, generic medications cost less than brand-name drugs.

The cost of imiquimod can depend on several factors. These factors include the drug’s strength and the condition it’s being used to treat. Your cost may also change based on your insurance coverage, if you have it.

To learn more about the cost of imiquimod, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.  

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Cost considerations for imiquimod

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of imiquimod. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for imiquimod. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re using imiquimod long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Imiquimod is a generic medication. It’s available as the brand-name drug Zyclara.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re considered as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed imiquimod but you’re interested in using Zyclara, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of imiquimod compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

What to ask about imiquimod

This article provides cost information related to imiquimod. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. You’ll find a link to coupons for imiquimod near the beginning of this article.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will the strength of imiquimod cream affect my cost?
• Is the cost of imiquimod based on the condition it’s being used to treat?
• Are there more affordable medications than imiquimod that could treat my condition?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.