Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine (a se teel SIS teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for acetaminophen overdose and to clear thick mucus from the lungs. A brand-name version of this drug is Acetadote. The cost of acetylcysteine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Acetylcysteine (a se teel SIS teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for acetaminophen overdose and to clear thick mucus from the lungs. A brand-name version of this drug is Acetadote. The cost of acetylcysteine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Solution
- • 3 x 30ml of 20pct
- • 1 Package
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.
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on January 12, 2024
Acetylcysteine (a se teel SIS teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for acetaminophen overdose and to clear thick mucus from the lungs. A brand-name version of this drug is Acetadote. The cost of acetylcysteine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about acetylcysteine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about acetylcysteine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
Cost
Cost of acetylcysteine
Like other medications, the cost of acetylcysteine can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the cost of a hospital visit for acetaminophen overdose
To find out how much acetylcysteine 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 acetylcysteine” section.
Coupons
Coupons for acetylcysteine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of acetylcysteine. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any 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 acetylcysteine
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 acetylcysteine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for acetylcysteine. 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 acetylcysteine may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because the drug may be given by a healthcare professional at a hospital or clinic. So the cost varies depending on the specific situation and your insurance plan. If you have questions about this, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
- A 3-month supply: If you’re using acetylcysteine 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 help people 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
Acetylcysteine comes in two types of solution (liquid mixture):
- A solution that is injected into the vein
- A solution that can be swallowed or used with a nebulizer (a device that turns a drug into a mist that you inhale through a face mask or mouthpiece)
Both types of acetylcysteine solution are generic medications. The injectable solution is available in a brand-name version called Acetadote. The solution that can be swallowed or inhaled is not available in a brand-name version. Mucomyst was the brand-name version of this solution, but it’s no longer available.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what 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 acetylcysteine injectable solution, but you’re interested in Acetadote, 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 acetylcysteine injectable solution compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about acetylcysteine and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about acetylcysteine.
Does the acetylcysteine solution that you swallow cost less than the injection form of the drug?
It depends. Doctors prescribe both solutions to treat acetaminophen overdose and are given by a healthcare professional at a hospital or clinic. The injectable solution is available as a generic or a brand-name medication, which can affect its price.
The cost of both forms of acetylcysteine solution will depend on your medical insurance if you have it. The government sets hospital payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid. Private medical insurance companies negotiate payment rates with hospitals. The payment rate will be specific to the diagnosis and procedures you have in the hospital. Medications are included in this payment rate.
You can learn more about the cost of acetylcysteine solutions by contacting your insurance provider.
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 without anyone else making the drug. 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 a medication work.)
This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. 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 acetylcysteine
This article provides cost information related to acetylcysteine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for acetylcysteine.
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 my dosage of acetylcysteine affect the cost?
- Are there other low cost drugs that could treat my condition?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
Resources
- Acetylcysteine injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c35cd2d4-6a28-4ba9-8cca-d6557fe50438/spl-doc
- Acetylcysteine solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8d81039e-20ef-5144-e053-2a95a90a89fd/spl-doc
- 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.
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