Bromocriptine
Generic Parlodel
Bromocriptine (broe moe KRIP teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and for certain hormone-related conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Parlodel. Another brand-name version, Cycloset, is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. The cost of bromocriptine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Bromocriptine (broe moe KRIP teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and for certain hormone-related conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Parlodel. Another brand-name version, Cycloset, is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. The cost of bromocriptine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 2.5mg
- • 45 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on December 20, 2023
Bromocriptine (broe moe KRIP teen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and for certain hormone-related conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Parlodel. Another brand-name version, Cycloset, is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. The cost of bromocriptine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about bromocriptine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about bromocriptine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
Cost
Cost of bromocriptine
Like other medications, the cost of bromocriptine 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 bromocriptine 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 bromocriptine” section.
Coupons
Coupons for bromocriptine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of bromocriptine. 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
Insurance and other considerations for bromocriptine
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 bromocriptine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for bromocriptine. 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 bromocriptine 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 allow people to 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Bromocriptine is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table. The strengths are in milligrams (mg).
Form | Generic available | Brand available | Brand name |
---|---|---|---|
oral capsule | ✓ | ✓ | Parlodel |
2.5-mg oral tablet | ✓ | ✓ | Parlodel |
0.8-mg oral tablet | ✓ | Cycloset |
Both generic and brand-name (Parlodel) versions of bromocriptine are approved to treat Parkinson’s disease and conditions caused by high levels of certain hormones (i.e., prolactin or growth hormone). Another brand-name version of bromocriptine called Cycloset is approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
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.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
If your doctor has prescribed bromocriptine but you’re interested in taking a brand-name version instead, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other for your specific condition. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.
To learn how the cost of bromocriptine compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about bromocriptine and cost
Here are some common questions about bromocriptine and their answers.
How does the cost of bromocriptine compare with the cost of cabergoline?
Both bromocriptine and cabergoline can be used to treat high levels of the hormone prolactin. These drugs have similar costs. But how much you pay for each will depend on the dose you take, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance coverage.
Both medications belong to the same group of drugs called dopamine agonists. And both have generic versions available. But one may be more appropriate for you to take.
Talk with your doctor to find out which drug may be most appropriate for you. Contact your insurance company or pharmacy to learn how much each drug will cost you.
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
What to ask about bromocriptine
This article provides cost information related to bromocriptine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for bromocriptine.
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:
- Which is cheaper, bromocriptine oral tablets or oral capsules?
- What will my copay be for my bromocriptine prescription?
- Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
Resources
Resources
- Bromocriptine mesylate capsules, USP. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d69003ee-0b6f-47a9-834e-ba59c02f566c/spl-doc
- Bromocriptine mesylate tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c680f258-4d0b-4430-be1d-46e8162fc233/spl-doc
- Cycloset (bromocriptine mesylate tablets), for oral use. (2020). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/020866s012lbl.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
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.
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