Valacyclovir cost and coupons

Key takeaways

• The cost of valacyclovir may vary depending on several factors, including your insurance and what pharmacy you use.
• The branded form of the medication may also be more expensive. The branded version of valacyclovir is called Valtrex.
• Programs are available to help reduce the cost of valacyclovir, including the Optum Perks coupons and discount card.

Valacyclovir price

Like other medications, the cost of valacyclovir 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 valacyclovir 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.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Coupons for valacyclovir

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

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

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

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Common questions about valacyclovir’s cost

Here are some common questions about valacyclovir and their answers. 

Does valacyclovir 500 mg cost less than valacyclovir 1 gm?

It’s possible. The cost of valacyclovir 500-milligram (mg) oral tablet may be different than the cost of the 1-gram (gm) oral tablet. Some insurance plans may only cover one strength of valacyclovir but not the other.

To find out how much you’ll pay for valacyclovir, talk with your pharmacist. And to learn more about the drug’s dosages and strengths, see this article about valacyclovir’s dosages.

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.

Cost considerations for valacyclovir

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

Valacyclovir is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Valtrex.

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 version.

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

What to ask about valacyclovir

This article provides cost information related to valacyclovir. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. You’ll find a link to coupons for valacyclovir 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:

• Are there alternative drugs I can use for viral infections that cost less than valacyclovir?
• Will my insurance provider cover valacyclovir if I need to take it long term?
• Are coupons only valid for short-term valacyclovir treatment?

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

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.