Dilantin

Introduction

Written by Skyler Todd, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on February 9, 2024

Phenytek is a branded-generic medication that’s prescribed for certain seizures. The brand-name version of this drug is Dilantin. The cost of Phenytek 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 Phenytek to:

• treat tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures
• treat psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures
• treat and prevent seizures during and after brain surgery

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

Cost of Phenytek

Like other medications, the cost of Phenytek can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use 
• the quantity you’re prescribed

To find out how much Phenytek 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 Phenytek” section.

Coupons for Phenytek

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Phenytek. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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 for Phenytek

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

Generics vs. brand-names

Phenytek is a branded-generic medication. Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active drug. But branded-generic drugs are given a trade name by the drugmaker. The brand-name version of this drug is Dilantin.

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 versions.

If your doctor has prescribed Phenytek, but you’re interested in Dilantin, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

Common questions about Phenytek and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Phenytek.  

How does the cost of Phenytek compare with the cost of Dilantin?

Phenytek is generally less expensive than the brand-name version, Dilantin. But generic Dilantin (phenytoin) may be less expensive than Phenytek.

Your specific cost of Phenytek and Dilantin will depend on which pharmacy you use and if you have insurance or use a coupon. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider for specific cost information.

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 about Phenytek

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

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 the cost of Phenytek?
• Will a 90-day supply of Phenytek save me money?
• Are there other medications for my condition that cost less than Phenytek?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Phenytek capsules (extended phenytoin sodium capsules), for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0f94c791-8b07-4b41-927e-c9f28bec5f60/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.