Descovy
Descovy is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for HIV. Descovy isn’t available in a generic version. The cost of Descovy with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Descovy is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for HIV. Descovy isn’t available in a generic version. The cost of Descovy with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Brand
- • Tablet
- • 200/25MG Tablet
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on July 11, 2024
Descovy is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for HIV. Descovy isn’ available in a generic version. The cost of Descovy 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 Descovy to be used together with other antiretroviral drugs to help treat HIV in certain adults and adolescents. It can also be used to help prevent HIV.
Read on to learn about Descovy and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Descovy, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
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Cost
Cost of Descovy
Like other medications, the cost of Descovy can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the quantity prescribed
To find out how much Descovy 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. If you’re taking Descovy to prevent HIV, your insurance provider may cover the cost.
You can also reach out to your local public health department or the manufacturer to find out whether you’re eligible for any assistance programs.
To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Descovy” section.
Coupons
Coupons for Descovy
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Descovy. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons can’t 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 Descovy
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 Descovy. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Descovy. 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 Descovy 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 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.
Brand names vs. generics
Brand names vs. generics
Descovy is a brand-name medication. It’s a combination of two medications called emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide. It’s not available in a generic version.
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 thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.
Why costs are 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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about Descovy and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about Descovy.
How does the cost of Descovy compare with the cost of Truvada?
The cost of Descovy tends to be higher than the cost of Truvada. But this depends on the insurance you have and the pharmacy you use.
Descovy is only available as a brand-name medication. But Truvada is available as a generic version. Generic medications tend to be cheaper both with and without insurance.
Speak with your pharmacist or insurance provider to learn what Descovy or Truvada would cost you.
What is the cost of Descovy with and without insurance?
The cost of Descovy per month depends on the pharmacy you use and the insurance you have. Descovy is only available as a brand-name medication. This means it tends to be more expensive without insurance.
But prescription drug coupons could help lower your cost. See the section called “Coupons for Descovy” to learn more.
Your insurance provider may also require prior authorization before covering the cost of Descovy. If this is the case, your doctor will speak with your insurance provider about why Descovy is best for you.
Speak with your pharmacist or insurance provider to learn about your cost of Descovy.
Resources
Resources
- Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/06f66e98-e6ee-4538-9506-6c1282cc14c1/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.
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