Azelastine
Azelastine is a generic medication that’s prescribed for allergies and nonallergic runny or stuffy nose. Azelastine is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of azelastine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Azelastine is a generic medication that’s prescribed for allergies and nonallergic runny or stuffy nose. Azelastine is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of azelastine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Solution
- • 6ml of .05pct
- • 1 Eye Dropper
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
Make sure your dosage values are correct! In order for Optum Perks to provide the most accurate discount pricing for your prescription, take a moment to verify your dosage above.
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on November 14, 2023
Azelastine is a generic medication that’s prescribed for allergies and nonallergic runny or stuffy nose. Azelastine is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of azelastine 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 azelastine nasal spray to treat seasonal allergies that cause rhinitis. Rhinitis is inflammation inside the nose that can cause sneezing and a runny, itchy, or stuffy nose. (Inflammation is an immune system response.) The nasal spray is also approved to treat rhinitis that’s not caused by allergies.
The FDA has approved the eye drops to treat itchy eyes due to allergies.
Read on to learn about azelastine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about azelastine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
Cost
Cost of azelastine
Like other medications, the cost of azelastine 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 azelastine costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They might 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 azelastine” section.
Coupons
Coupons for azelastine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of azelastine. 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
Insurance and other considerations for azelastine
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 azelastine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for azelastine. 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 azelastine 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.
Generics vs. brand-names
Generics vs. brand-names
Azelastine is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name 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.) Azelastine nasal spray is based on the brand-name version Astelin, which is no longer available. Azelastine eye drops are based on the brand-name version Optivar, which is also no longer available.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Common questions about azelastine and cost
Here are some common questions about azelastine and their answers.
Do azelastine eye drops cost less than the nasal spray form of the drug?
They might cost less. The dosage form is one factor that can affect the price you’ll pay for a medication. But other things can also affect the cost.
Insurance coverage is one of the main factors. Insurance plans may vary in how they cover drugs, such as azelastine, and the copay they charge.
Find out how much your azelastine prescription will likely cost by contacting your insurance provider or asking your pharmacist. Ask them to give you the cost of both forms of the drug.
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, which have already been tested. So generic medications don’t require the same costly testing as brand-name medications.
If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.
What to ask
What to ask about azelastine
This article provides cost information related to azelastine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for azelastine.
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:
- Could I save money by using the over-the-counter version of azelastine nasal spray?
- Are there other drugs besides azelastine that could treat my condition and cost less?
- What are my options if I can’t afford azelastine?
Resources
Resources
- Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/74de4d22-e6e0-4050-bf86-403ca6945cce/spl-doc
- Azelastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, 0.05%. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/31cf2bd9-fbb5-4931-9202-9784d8d6aad0/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.
New! No Prescription? No problem.
Affordable Online Care is here! Answer a few questions about your concern and receive a treatment plan in as little as 15 minutes, from a board-certified provider, 100% online.
Learn more