Diltiazem Cd, Cartia Xt, Diltiazem ER (coated Beads)

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on February 1, 2024

Cartia XT is a branded-generic medication that’s prescribed to treat high blood pressure and certain types of angina (chest pain). The brand-name versions of this drug are Cardizem CD and Taztia XT. The cost of Cartia XT with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of Cartia XT

Like other medications, the cost of Cartia XT 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 Cartia XT 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 Cartia XT” section.

Coupons for Cartia XT

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

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

Cartia XT is a branded-generic medication. The brand-name versions of this drug are Cardizem CD and Taztia XT.

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.

Cartia XT is a branded-generic medication. Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient. But branded-generic drugs are given a trade name by the drugmaker.

If your doctor has prescribed Cartia XT, but you’re interested in Cardizem CD or Taztia XT, 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.

To learn how the cost of Cartia XT compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about Cartia XT and cost

Here are some common questions about Cartia XT and their answers.

How does the cost of Cartia XT compare with the cost of Norvasc?

The costs for Cartia XT and Norvasc will depend on your dosage, the pharmacy you use, and the insurance coverage you have.

Cartia XT tends to cost less than Norvasc. This is because Cartia XT is a branded-generic drug. Cartia XT has the same active ingredient as the generic medication diltiazem extended release (ER).* Norvasc is a brand-name drug. Brand-name drugs usually cost more than generic or branded-generic drugs.

Also, brand-name drugs tend to have higher copays through prescription insurance plans. If you and your doctor decide, you may be able to save by taking amlodipine, the generic version of Norvasc.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company to find out more about the cost of these drugs.

* “Extended release (ER)” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

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 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.

Cartia XT is a branded-generic medication. Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient. But branded-generic drugs are given a trade name by the drugmaker.

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 Cartia XT

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

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 dosage of Cartia XT affect the cost?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• Does Cartia XT cost the same as the generic version, diltiazem ER*?

* “Extended release (ER)” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Resources

• Cartia XT brand of diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules, USP. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/795f516a-9fda-48ef-84a5-4e2e4ff7a756/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.