Droxidopa

Introduction

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on September 21, 2023

Droxidopa oral capsule is a generic medication that’s prescribed for dizziness due to certain conditions. The brand name version of this drug is Northera. The cost of droxidopa 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 droxidopa for treating orthostatic dizziness or lightheadedness in adults that is caused by:

• orthostatic hypotension due to nerve problems
• conditions that affect your nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease, dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency (a gene mutation that affects how your body regulates blood pressure), or nondiabetic neuropathy

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

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Cost of droxidopa

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the dosage you use to treat your condition

To find out how much droxidopa 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 following section.

Coupons for droxidopa

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

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

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

Droxidopa is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Northera.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that 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 version.

If your doctor has prescribed droxidopa but you’re interested in taking Northera, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

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

Common questions about droxidopa and cost

Here are some common questions about droxidopa and their answers.  

Does droxidopa cost less than midodrine?

It’s possible. Similar to droxidopa, midodrine tablet may be prescribed to treat symptoms of orthostatic hypotension. The cost you will pay for droxidopa or midodrine will depend on several factors. These can include your insurance coverage (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and what your daily dosage is.

If you have questions about how much either drug will cost, talk with your pharmacist or your insurance provider.

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 drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs 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.

What to ask about droxidopa

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

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:

• Can I lower my dose to make my pills last longer and cost less?
• Are there other lower cost options to treat my condition?
• How long should I expect to take droxidopa and prepare to pay for my prescription?

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.

Resources

• Droxidopa capsule, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6091958e-f04e-47c0-9eef-9c204df4edd9/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Midodrine hydrochloride — midodrine hydrochloride tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/03e2fc2d-8f5c-40c4-8dd4-7edb4795eecc/spl-doc?hl=midodrine