Coly-mycin M
Colistimethate
Colistimethate (koe lis ti METH ate) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for infections caused by certain bacteria. The brand-name version of this drug is Coly-Mycin M. The drug is given by injection into your vein or muscle by a doctor. The cost of colistimethate with or without insurance can depend on several factors.
Colistimethate (koe lis ti METH ate) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for infections caused by certain bacteria. The brand-name version of this drug is Coly-Mycin M. The drug is given by injection into your vein or muscle by a doctor. The cost of colistimethate with or without insurance can depend on several factors.
- Generic
- • Solution Reconstituted
- • 1 of 150mg
- • 10 Vials
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.
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD
Updated on February 7, 2024
Colistimethate (koe lis ti METH ate) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for infections caused by certain bacteria. The brand-name version of this drug is Coly-Mycin M. The drug is given by injection into your vein or muscle by a doctor. The cost of colistimethate with or without insurance can depend on several factors.
Read on to learn about colistimethate and cost. If you’d like more information about colistimethate, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of colistimethate
Like other medications, the cost of colistimethate can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- whether colistimethate is covered by your medical insurance
- the cost to receive doses of colistimethate in a hospital or clinic from a healthcare professional
To find out how much colistimethate costs, ask your doctor or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article.
Coupons
Coupons for colistimethate
The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. But coupons aren’t available for medications like colistimethate that are only given by a healthcare professional.
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 colistimethate
- Insurance coverage: Typically, the cost of colistimethate is billed through your medical insurance rather than a health benefits policy. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of colistimethate, usually in a hospital or clinic setting. In some cases, you may receive colistimethate from a healthcare professional at home. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic, a hospital, or at home. 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 copays. These include copays for visits to the clinic or hospital to receive doses of colistimethate. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as copays, and 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
Colistimethate is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Coly-Mycin M.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor has prescribed colistimethate but you’re interested in taking Coly-Mycin M, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which versions of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all versions.
To learn how the cost of colistimethate compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about colistimethate and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about colistimethate.
Is colistimethate covered by Medicare?
It may be. Because colistimethate is typically given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic, the price of the drug may be billed through Medicare Part A or Part B. Medicare Part A covers your inpatient care, and Medicare Part B covers outpatient treatment. But Medicare doesn’t cover all drugs.
Talk with your Medicare insurance provider to determine whether colistimethate is covered under your plan.
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 patent and 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 medication work.
This competition may help keep the 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 colistimethate
This article provides cost information related to colistimethate. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription.
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 insurance cover colistimethate?
- Are there other lower cost drugs that are used to treat my condition?
- What are my options if I can’t afford colistimethate?
Resources
Resources
- Colistimethate sodium — colistimethate sodium injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6a335659-03b0-4a2d-9cd4-7dcf7da96fe6/spl-doc
- Coly-Mycin M Parenteral (colistimethate for injection, USP). (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/050108s033lbl.pdf
- 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.
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