Ergocalciferol, Drisdol

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD
Updated on December 21, 2023

Ergocalciferol (er goe kal SIF e role) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain conditions caused by low vitamin D levels. The brand-name version of this drug is Drisdol. The cost of ergocalciferol 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 ergocalciferol to treat a:

• condition involving low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism)
• condition consisting of bones softening and weakening (rickets)
• genetic condition leading to low phosphate levels (familial hypophosphatemia)

Ergocalciferol treats these conditions by helping your body absorb calcium and phosphorus.

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

Cost of ergocalciferol

Like other medications, the cost of ergocalciferol 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 ergocalciferol 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 ergocalciferol” section.

Coupons for ergocalciferol

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

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any 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 ergocalciferol

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 ergocalciferol. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for ergocalciferol. 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.
• Insurance coverage. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking ergocalciferol 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.

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

Ergocalciferol is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Drisdol.

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 ergocalciferol but you’re interested in taking Drisdol, 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 ergocalciferol compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about ergocalciferol and cost

Here are some common questions about ergocalciferol and their answers.

How does the cost of ergocalciferol compare with the cost of cholecalciferol?

It depends. Ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol are both forms of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2. Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3.

There are many forms and strengths of vitamin D. Some are over-the-counter (OTC) products. The prescription strength of ergocalciferol capsule is 1.25 milligrams (mg), which is equal to 50,000 international units (IU).

The cost you pay for ergocalciferol can vary based on several factors, including:

• the strength and form
• whether you’re prescribed a brand-name or a generic version
• the days’ supply (30-day or 90-day)
• your insurance coverage or whether you pay out of pocket

There may be reasons why ergocalciferol is preferred over cholecalciferol, or vice versa. And your doctor may prefer that you take a certain strength or dosage form.

If you have questions about how much your prescription costs, talk with your insurance provider, pharmacist, or doctor.

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 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 or pharmacist.

What to ask about ergocalciferol

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

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:

• Does my insurance cover the cost of ergocalciferol?
• Can I use an over-the-counter (OTC) product instead of a prescription to lower my costs?
• Are there other lower cost medications that could treat my condition?
• What options are available if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Ergocalciferol capsules, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/39b72d09-cedc-4130-89a3-1ea03f58ba04/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

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.