Exjade, Jadenu, Jadenu Sprinkle

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on January 3, 2024

Deferasirox (de FER a sir ox) is a generic medication prescribed to reduce extra iron in the body due to blood transfusions or other conditions. The brand-name versions of this drug are Jadenu, Jadenu Sprinkle, and Exjade. The cost of deferasirox with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of deferasirox

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

Coupons for deferasirox

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

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 deferasirox. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for deferasirox. 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 deferasirox 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 pre-tax 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

Deferasirox is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

* You’ll sprinkle these granules onto soft food and take by mouth.
† This is a tablet that’s used to make a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) you’ll take by mouth.

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.

If your doctor has prescribed deferasirox but you’re interested in taking Jadenu, Jadenu Sprinkle, or Exjade, 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 deferasirox compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about deferasirox and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about deferasirox.

Is deferasirox covered by Medicare?

Deferasirox may be covered by Medicare. Medicare Part D covers many prescription drugs. However, each Medicare Part D plan covers different drugs.

If you have questions about which drugs your plan covers, talk with your Medicare Part D 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 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.

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 deferasirox

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

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:

• What will my copay be for deferasirox?
• Will my dosage of deferasirox affect the cost?
• How does the cost of deferasirox compare with other drugs used for my condition?
• Are there low cost treatment options for my condition?

Resources

• Defersirox oral granules. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7eda83c3-a282-47f6-9f06-d2f9612f5c5b/spl-doc
• Deferasirox tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c7f14819-1abc-4abf-b55b-cf89beaf124e/spl-doc
• Deferasirox tablet, for suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4a2e1bd2-9f3a-40ec-94a2-bc76350d6d4b/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
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Purple Book: Database of licensed biological products. https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov

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.