Acitretin

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Beth Thomas, PharmD
Updated on December 11, 2023

Acitretin (a si TRE tin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for severe psoriasis in adults. The brand-name version of this drug was Soriatane, but it’s no longer available. The cost of acitretin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about acitretin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about acitretin, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of acitretin

Like other medications, the cost of acitretin 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 acitretin 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 acitretin” section.

Coupons for acitretin

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

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 acitretin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for acitretin. 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.
• Insurance coverage. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

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

Acitretin is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

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.) Acitretin is based on the brand-name version Soriatane, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

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

Common questions about acitretin and cost

Here are some common questions about acitretin and their answers.

Does acitretin 25 mg cost more than acitretin 10 mg?

It’s possible. Acitretin oral capsule comes in three strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 17.5 mg, and 10 mg.

The strength of your acitretin prescription may affect the cost. But other factors can also affect the cost, including your insurance coverage. Insurance plans may vary with how they cover acitretin and the copays they charge.

Talk with someone at your pharmacy or insurance company to find out how much you’ll pay for your acitretin prescription.

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 or pharmacist.

What to ask about acitretin

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

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:

• What will my copay be for acitretin?
• What should I do if I have trouble paying for acitretin?
• Are there other drugs I can use for my condition that cost less than acitretin?

Resources

• Acitretin- acitretin capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2150bb0f-551b-4059-a97b-187d3ab22519/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). 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.