Biltricide

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on December 1, 2023

Praziquantel (praz·​i·​quan·​tel) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain parasitic infections in adults and some children. The brand-name version of this drug is Biltricide. The cost of praziquantel with or without insurance might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved praziquantel to treat the following types of parasitic infections in adults and children ages 1 year and older:

• schistosomiasis (blood fluke infection)
• clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis (liver fluke infections)

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

Cost of praziquantel

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

Coupons for praziquantel

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

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

Praziquantel is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Biltricide.

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 praziquantel but you’re interested in taking Biltricide, 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 praziquantel compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about praziquantel and cost

Here are some common questions about praziquantel and their answers.

Is praziquantel covered by Medicare?

Possibly. There are several types of Medicare plans, and prescription coverage may vary. To find out if praziquantel is covered for you, contact your plan representative. If you want to know if praziquantel is used to treat your condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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 praziquantel

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

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 affect the cost of praziquantel?
• Is there a lower-cost drug available to treat my condition?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Praziquantel tablets for oral use. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/16f2b9c4-a260-4a31-bd52-e5945913246c/spl-doc

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.