Entereg

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber R. Watson, PharmD
Updated on January 12, 2024

Alvimopan (al VI moe pan) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to speed recovery after surgery to remove parts of the small or large intestine. The brand-name version of this drug is Entereg. It’s only for use in a hospital.

Read on to learn about alvimopan and cost. If you’d like more information about alvimopan, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of alvimopan

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the cost of your hospital visit

To find out how much alvimopan costs, ask your doctor or insurance provider.

Coupons for alvimopan

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of the drug. Alvimopan is only for use in a hospital. But Optum Perks coupons can provide significant savings on your other 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 alvimopan

The price of alvimopan will be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of alvimopan in the hospital. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan.

If you have questions about this, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor know. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Alvimopan is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Entereg.

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.

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

Common questions about alvimopan and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about alvimopan.  

How does the cost of alvimopan compare with the cost of other similar drugs?

The cost of alvimopan and similar drugs will depend on your health insurance, if you have it. The government sets hospital payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid. Private medical insurance companies negotiate payment rates with hospitals. The payment rate will be specific to the diagnosis and procedures you have in the hospital. Medications are included in this payment rate.

You can learn more about how the cost of alvimopan and similar drugs by contacting 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 without anyone else making their drug. 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, which have already been tested. 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 alvimopan

This article provides cost information related to alvimopan.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is the cost of alvimopan included in my hospital billing?
• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medical bills?

Resources

• Alvimopan — Alvimopan capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1cd584de-b704-4d26-8451-e3247ffb8d08/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.