Ancobon

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on November 14, 2023

Flucytosine (floo SYE toe seen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain fungal infections in adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Ancobon. The cost of flucytosine might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved flucytosine for serious fungal infections caused by susceptible strains of Candida or Cryptococcus.

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

Cost of flucytosine

Like other medications, the cost of flucytosine 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 flucytosine 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 for flucytosine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of flucytosine. The Optum Perks coupons 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 flucytosine

If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of flucytosine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for flucytosine. 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.

If you have questions about this, 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

Flucytosine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Ancobon.

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 believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed flucytosine, but you’re interested in taking Ancobon, 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 flucytosine compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about flucytosine and cost

Here are some common questions about flucytosine and their answers.

How does the cost of flucytosine compare with the cost of fluconazole?

Both flucytosine and fluconazole can be used to treat certain fungal infections. The cost of flucytosine compared with the cost of fluconazole can depend on several factors.

Flucytosine comes in a different form than fluconazole, which may affect the cost. Flucytosine is available as an oral capsule, while fluconazole is available as an oral tablet, oral suspension, and injection.

Some other factors that may affect the cost include:

• whether there are any cost savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
• whether you have insurance or are paying without insurance
• how long you’ll be taking the drug

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider if you have questions about the cost of flucytosine and other similar medications. They can provide more details on costs based on your specific situation.

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 medication work.

This competition may help keep the 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 about flucytosine

This article provides cost information related to flucytosine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. You’ll find a link to coupons for flucytosine near the beginning of this article.

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 length of treatment with flucytosine affect the cost of this medication?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford this medication?
• Are there other lower cost drugs available to treat my condition?

Resources

• Flucytosine — flucytosine capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7de61fee-a709-4327-ace8-ffb0ba04d5fa/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.