Azactam

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD 
Updated on January 3, 2024

Aztreonam (AZ tree oh nam) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat or prevent certain bacterial infections. The brand-name version of this drug is Azactam. The cost of aztreonam with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of aztreonam

Like other medications, the cost of aztreonam 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 doses of aztreonam

To find out how much aztreonam 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 aztreonam” section.

Coupons for aztreonam

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

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 aztreonam. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for aztreonam. 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.
• Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of aztreonam may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because sometimes a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of aztreonam. The cost of your doses 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.
• 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

Aztreonam is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Azactam.

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 aztreonam but you’re interested in taking Azactam, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of aztreonam compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about aztreonam and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about aztreonam.

How does the cost of aztreonam compare with the cost of ceftazidime/avibactam or meropenem?

The cost can depend on several different factors. Ceftazidime/avibactam and meropenem are also antibiotics that may be used to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics and dosage forms may be preferred over others for certain types of bacterial infections.

Also, ceftazidime/avibactam only comes in a brand version, and aztreonam and meropenem are available as generics. Typically, brand-name drugs cost more than generic versions.

The cost of a drug can also vary based on other factors, such as:

• whether you have health insurance coverage
• the type of health insurance plan you have
• whether you get the drug at a pharmacy, doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital
• your treatment plan
• the dosage form you’re prescribed
• the strength of the drug you’re prescribed

Talk with your insurance provider, doctor, or pharmacist to find out the cost of your treatment.

Is aztreonam used for cystic fibrosis?

No. The generic version of aztreonam isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat symptoms related to cystic fibrosis. But Cayston, a brand-name version of aztreonam, is FDA-approved for some people with cystic fibrosis who have a known type of bacteria in their lungs.

If you have questions about when Cayston may be prescribed for cystic fibrosis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can also help you understand the cost of this medication.

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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep 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.

What to ask about aztreonam

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

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 health insurance cover the cost of aztreonam?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could be used to treat my condition?
• Will my dosage of aztreonam affect the cost?
• What options are available if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Aztreonam – aztreonam injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/302fd27d-0a22-44ea-91fb-1b1ffcf17a1f/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.