Desferal
Deferoxamine
Deferoxamine (de fer OKS a meen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to lower iron levels in the body. The brand-name version of this drug is Desferal. The cost of deferoxamine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Deferoxamine (de fer OKS a meen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to lower iron levels in the body. The brand-name version of this drug is Desferal. The cost of deferoxamine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Solution Reconstituted
- • 1 of 2gm
- • 4 Vials
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
Make sure your dosage values are correct! In order for Optum Perks to provide the most accurate discount pricing for your prescription, take a moment to verify your dosage above.
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
Intro
Introduction
Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on January 9, 2024
Deferoxamine (de fer OKS a meen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to lower iron levels in the body. The brand-name version of this drug is Desferal. The cost of deferoxamine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about deferoxamine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about deferoxamine, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of deferoxamine
Like other medications, the cost of deferoxamine can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive doses of deferoxamine
- the cost to purchase needles and syringes to use with deferoxamine
To find out how much deferoxamine 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 “Coupons for deferoxamine” section.
Coupons
Coupons for deferoxamine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of deferoxamine. 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
Insurance and other considerations for deferoxamine
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 deferoxamine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for deferoxamine. 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.
- Insurance coverage: Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of deferoxamine may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of deferoxamine. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
- A 3-month supply: If you’re using deferoxamine 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.
- Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans allow people to save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.
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
Generics vs. brand-names
Deferoxamine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Desferal.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor has prescribed deferoxamine but you’re interested in Desferal, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.
To learn how the cost of deferoxamine compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about deferoxamine and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about deferoxamine.
Is deferoxamine covered by Medicare?
Possibly. Medicare Part D covers many prescription drugs, but each Part D plan covers different drugs.
Talk with your Medicare Part D provider to discuss which drugs are covered under your plan.
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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.
This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients 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 or pharmacist.
What to ask
What to ask about deferoxamine
This article provides cost information related to deferoxamine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for deferoxamine.
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 lower cost drugs that can treat my condition?
- What are my options if I can’t afford deferoxamine?
- Will my insurance cover deferoxamine?
Resources
Resources
- Deferoxamine mesylate — deferoxamine mesylate injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f9ab6b1c-98d0-4373-0e9b-b10cb4a67543/spl-doc
- Desferal (deferoxamine mesylate) for injection, for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/016267s062lbl.pdf
- Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
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.
New! No Prescription? No problem.
Affordable Online Care is here! Answer a few questions about your concern and receive a treatment plan in as little as 15 minutes, from a board-certified provider, 100% online.
Learn more