Cefepime

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Paul Hetrick, PharmD
Updated on January 25, 2024

Cefepime (SEF e pim) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for infections caused by certain bacteria. It’s not available in a brand-name version. The cost of cefepime with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of cefepime

Like other medications, the cost of cefepime 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 cefepime
• the cost to purchase supplies needed to give cefepime

To find out how much cefepime 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 cefepime” section.

Coupons for cefepime

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

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 cefepime. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for cefepime. 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 cefepime may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional may give doses of cefepime. 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

Cefepime is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

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.) Cefepime is based on the brand-name version Maxipime, which is 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 version.

To learn how much cefepime may cost you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about cefepime and cost

Here are some common questions about cefepime and their answers.

How does the cost of cefepime compare with the cost of vancomycin or meropenem?

The cost of cefepime, vancomycin, and meropenem depends on several factors. These include the dose and form you take, the pharmacy you use, and the insurance coverage you have.

All three drugs are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. But they work differently and are used for different types of bacteria. So depending on the kind of infection you have, one of these may be a better treatment for you.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn if there’s a low cost option that can treat your infection.

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 ingredient 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 cefepime

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

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:

• What will my copay be for cefepime?
• How much will the supplies needed to administer cefepime cost?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Cefepime injection, for intravenous use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/be5f8ca6-7232-423a-a2d5-cccb7abe7921/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

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.