Tacrolimus

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on October 26, 2023

Tacrolimus is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating dermatitis and preventing transplanted organ rejection. The brand-name versions of this drug are Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf, and Protopic. The cost of tacrolimus with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Tacrolimus comes in these forms: a capsule you swallow and an ointment you apply to your skin.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tacrolimus in adults and certain children for treating dermatitis and to prevent organ rejection after a liver, kidney, lung, or heart transplant.

Read on to learn about tacrolimus and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about tacrolimus, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of tacrolimus

Like other medications, the cost of tacrolimus 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 tacrolimus 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 tacrolimus

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of tacrolimus. The Optum Perks coupons above 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.

Insurance and other considerations for tacrolimus

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 tacrolimus. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for tacrolimus. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking or using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking tacrolimus 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

Tacrolimus is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

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

If your doctor has prescribed tacrolimus, but you’re interested in taking brand-name versions, 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 tacrolimus compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about tacrolimus and cost

Here are some common questions about tacrolimus and their answers.

Does tacrolimus topical ointment cost more than tacrolimus oral capsule?

Possibly. The price you’ll pay for tacrolimus ointment or tacrolimus oral capsule will depend on several factors, which include your insurance coverage (if you have it) and the pharmacy you use. If you have questions about how much tacrolimus topical ointment or tacrolimus oral capsule will cost, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

How much does tacrolimus cost without insurance?

The price you’ll pay for tacrolimus without insurance will depend on several factors, including the pharmacy you use and whether you qualify for any coupons. If you have questions about how much tacrolimus will cost without insurance, talk with your 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 a medication work.)

This competition may help keep 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.

What to ask about tacrolimus

This article provides cost information related to tacrolimus. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for tacrolimus.

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 dosage you prescribe affect the cost of my medication?
• Are there coupons available to help me afford my medication?
• If I’m unable to afford my medication, can you prescribe another drug to treat my condition?

Resources

• Astagraf XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules), for oral use. (2013). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/204096s000lbl.pdf
• Envarsus XR (tacrolimus extended-release tablets), for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/206406s010lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Prograf (tacrolimus) capsules, for oral use; Prograf (tacrolimus) injection, for intravenous use; Prograf granules (tacrolimus) for oral suspension. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/050708s055,010115s007lbl.pdf
• Protopic. (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/050777s021lbl.pdf
• Tacrolimus capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/55467f4b-8437-43a3-b6d9-1bc2a13b4c11/spl-doc
• Tacrolimus ointment. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c2d2e3a1-f346-4245-b445-6dd44e371180/spl-doc

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.