Aplenzin

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Purva Singla, PharmD
Updated on November 29, 2023

Aplenzin (uh PLEN zin) is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for depression and seasonal affective disorder in adults. Aplenzin is not available in a generic version. The cost of Aplenzin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of Aplenzin

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

Coupons for Aplenzin

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

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

Brand-names vs. generics

Aplenzin is a brand-name medication in extended-release* oral tablet form. It’s not available in a generic 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.) 

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

* “Extended release” means the drug releases slowly into your body over some time.

Common questions about Aplenzin and cost

Here are some common questions about Aplenzin and their answers.

How does the cost of Aplenzin compare with the cost of Wellbutrin XL or Wellbutrin SR?

Like Aplenzin, Wellbutrin XL is approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder in adults. Wellbutrin SR is approved to treat depression in adults. Both Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR come in extended-release* oral tablets.

Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, and Aplenzin have the same active ingredient, which is bupropion. But they’re made by different manufacturers and with different salt forms. The salt form of a drug affects the way a drug is absorbed in the body and when. For example, it might be absorbed right away or slowly. The salt form also affects dosage forms and strengths. Because of these differences, the cost of each drug also differs.

A generic version is available for Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, unlike Aplenzin. It’s likely that the generic forms of Wellbutrin cost less than Aplenzin.

If you have questions about which drug is best for your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can learn which medication costs the least by talking with your pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance provider if you have coverage.

* “Extended release” means the drug releases slowly into your body over some time.

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 Aplenzin

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

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 dosage of Aplenzin affect its cost?
• What options do I have if I’m unable to afford my medication?
• Can you prescribe drugs to treat my condition that cost less than Aplenzin?

Resources

• Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide) extended-release tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/022108s022lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Wellbutrin SR (bupropion hydrochloride) sustained-release tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/020358s066lbl.pdf
• Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/021515s044lbl.pdf

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.