Agrylin

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on December 7, 2023

Anagrelide (an AG gre lide) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for a high platelet count related to certain conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Agrylin. The cost of anagrelide with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of anagrelide

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

Coupons for anagrelide

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

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 anagrelide. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for anagrelide. 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 anagrelide 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

Anagrelide is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Agrylin.

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 anagrelide, but you’re interested in taking Agrylin, 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 anagrelide compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about anagrelide and cost

Here are some common questions about anagrelide and their answers.  

Is anagrelide covered by Medicare?

Yes, anagrelide should be covered by most Medicare Part D plans. But insurance plans can vary in how much they cover each medication. Your copay can vary depending on the strength you take and your individual plan formulary (list of covered drugs).

To learn more about the cost of anagrelide with Medicare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or 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. 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 anagrelide

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

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 other lower cost options that could treat my condition?
• Will my dosage of anagrelide affect the cost?
• What will my copay be for anagrelide?

Resources

• Agrylin (anagrelide) capsules, for oral use. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/020333s027lbl.pdf
• Anagrelide capsules, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6727d5d4-e8ec-4a85-bc82-ec70b641eecf/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.