Ferriprox Twice-a-day, Ferriprox

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on November 8, 2023

Deferiprone oral tablet is a generic medication prescribed for high iron levels. The brand-name version of this drug is Ferriprox. The cost of deferiprone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of deferiprone

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

Coupons for deferiprone

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

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

Deferiprone is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Ferriprox.

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 versions.

If your doctor has prescribed deferiprone but you’re interested in taking Ferriprox, 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 deferiprone compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about deferiprone and cost

Here are some common questions about deferiprone and their answers.

Is deferiprone covered by Medicare?

It might be. Prescription drug coverage is available through Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C). Each plan has its own formulary, which is its list of covered drugs. The plan’s formulary must include at least two drugs in common categories. For example, it might include drugs used in chelation therapy, such as iron chelators. (Deferiprone is an iron chelator.) 

Contact your Medicare Part D or C provider to find out if deferiprone is covered under your plan. If it isn’t on your plan’s formulary, ask what two similar drugs are covered. Then, ask your doctor about these medications.

You can also shop for plans that cover deferiprone during the annual open enrollment period.

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. During that time, no one else can make 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 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, which have already been tested. So generic medications don’t require the same kind of costly testing.

To learn more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about deferiprone

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

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:

• How does the cost of deferiprone compare to the cost of other drugs that could treat my condition?
• What are my options if I can’t afford deferiprone?
• Will my dosage of deferiprone affect its cost?

Resources

• Deferiprone tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c4f9e9be-39e7-4940-9cb0-f17772d7e524/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.