Atazanavir

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on January 4, 2024

Atazanavir (at a za NA veer) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for HIV in adults and some children. The brand-name version of this drug is Reyataz. The cost of atazanavir with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved atazanavir oral capsules to treat HIV in adults and children ages 6 years and older who weigh at least 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds). For this use, atazanavir is given with other antiretroviral drugs.

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

Cost of atazanavir

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

Coupons for atazanavir

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

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

Atazanavir 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 version.

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

Common questions about atazanavir and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about atazanavir.  

Is atazanavir covered by Medicare?

Atazanavir may be covered by Medicare. You can call your Medicare plan provider to find out if your plan covers this medication. Because there are many types of Medicare plans, your coverage and what you pay for your medications will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

You can also check with your pharmacist or doctor to see if they know what your cost for this drug will be with Medicare.

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 atazanavir

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

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 atazanavir affect the cost?
• Will the quantity of atazanavir I’m prescribed affect the cost?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford this medication?

Resources

• Atazanavir capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c98e40ec-8a2c-4f19-b1c3-c82f708c2490/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Reyataz (atazanavir) capsules, for oral use; Reyataz (atazanavir) oral powder. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021567s048,206352s010lbl.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.