Allopurinol
Generic Zyloprim
Allopurinol is a generic medication prescribed to lower uric acid levels. Its brand-name versions are Aloprim, Lopurin and Zyloprim. The cost of allopurinol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Allopurinol is a generic medication prescribed to lower uric acid levels. Its brand-name versions are Aloprim, Lopurin and Zyloprim. The cost of allopurinol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 300mg
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Updated on August 18, 2023
Allopurinol is a generic medication prescribed to lower uric acid levels. Its brand-name versions are Aloprim, Lopurin and Zyloprim. The cost of allopurinol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Allopurinol comes in these forms: oral tablet and injection given as intravenous (IV) infusion.*
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved allopurinol in adults and some children with high uric acid levels with certain causes. These include:
- chemotherapy medications that increase uric acid levels
- gout
- kidney stones
Read on to learn about allopurinol and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about allopurinol, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
* An IV infusion is an injection given into your vein over time.
Cost
Cost of allopurinol
Like other medications, the cost of allopurinol 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 intravenous (IV) infusions of allopurinol injection
To find out how much allopurinol 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.
Coupons
Coupons for allopurinol
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of allopurinol. 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 allopurinol
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 allopurinol. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for allopurinol. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin treatment 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 allopurinol may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because allopurinol injection doses are given as intravenous (IV) infusions by a doctor or another healthcare professional. The cost of your IV infusions 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 taking allopurinol oral tablets 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
Generics vs. brand names
Allopurinol is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:
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 versions.
If your doctor has prescribed allopurinol but you’re interested in the brand-name version, 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 allopurinol compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
* This form is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional.
FAQ
Common questions about allopurinol and cost
Here are some common questions about allopurinol and their answers.
Does allopurinol cost less than colchicine?
Maybe. The cost of allopurinol compared with colchicine depends on several factors. Examples include whether you have insurance coverage, which dosage form your doctor prescribes, and how long you’ll take the medication.
With insurance coverage, the oral forms of allopurinol and colchicine may be similar. But the cost of allopurinol injection may be higher than colchicine. This is because the injection form is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. As such, you may have to pay more to receive this form of allopurinol.
If you don’t have insurance, other factors can affect the price of these drugs, such as the pharmacy you use.
If you have questions about the cost of allopurinol compared with colchicine, talk with your doctor or insurance provider (if you have one). They can tell you more.
Can I get allopurinol over the counter? If so, does it cost less than the prescription form?
No, allopurinol is not available over the counter (OTC). The medication is only available at pharmacies with a prescription.
You should not use allopurinol unless your doctor or another healthcare professional prescribes it. Using the drug without consulting your doctor may increase your risk for serious health problems.
To learn more about allopurinol’s cost with a prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you more about its uses and cost.
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.
What to ask
What to ask about allopurinol
This article provides cost information related to allopurinol. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for allopurinol.
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:
- Does my insurance plan cover allopurinol injection?
- Will I pay more for a brand-name version of allopurinol?
- Is there a savings program for allopurinol? If so, how can I learn whether I’m eligible to enroll?
Resources
Resources
- Allopurinol- allopurinol tablet. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7e6fbb4b-06fb-4405-b170-db905836a0e3/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.
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