Alvesco

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Philip Ngo, PharmD
Updated on July 12, 2024

Alvesco is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and some children. Alvesco isn’t available in a generic version. The cost of Alvesco with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Alvesco to prevent asthma attacks. It should not be used as a rescue inhaler if you experience an asthma attack.

Read on to learn about Alvesco and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Alvesco, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

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Cost of Alvesco

Like other medications, the cost of Alvesco can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use 
• the amount prescribed

To find out how much Alvesco 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 Alvesco” section.

Coupons for Alvesco

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Alvesco. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons can’t 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 Alvesco

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 Alvesco. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Alvesco. 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.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using Alvesco 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 have insurance coverage on Alvesco, you could ask your pharmacist about using a manufacturer’s coupon along with your coverage.

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.

Brand names vs. generics

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

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work. Alvesco contains the active ingredient ciclesonide.

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

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are 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 patent and 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.

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.

Common questions about Alvesco and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Alvesco.  

Does the Alvesco 160-mcg inhaler cost more than the Alvesco 80-mcg inhaler?

No, it doesn’t. Both strengths of the Alvesco inhalers are about the same price. But your cost will depend on the pharmacy you use and any insurance coverage you have.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about what Alvesco will cost you.

Is Alvesco covered by Medicare?

No, Alvesco isn’t usually covered under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. This is because Alvesco is only available as a brand-name medication. And there are less expensive alternatives that are available.

This doesn’t mean your specific insurance plan will not cover Alvesco. Your insurance plan may require prior authorization to cover part of the cost of Alvesco. In this case, your doctor will speak with your insurance provider about why Alvesco is best for you.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider about whether your plan covers Alvesco.

Resources

• Alvesco (ciclesonide) inhalation aerosol, for oral inhalation use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021658s011lbl.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.