Gavilyte-c, Golytely

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on February 12, 2024

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and Electrolytes is a generic medication that’s prescribed for cleaning out the colon before a colonoscopy or barium enema X-ray. The brand-name version of this drug is Golytely. The cost of PEG-3350 and Electrolytes, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about PEG-3350 and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about PEG-3350, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of PEG-3350

Like other medications, the cost of PEG-3350 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 PEG-3350 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 PEG-3350” section.

Coupons for PEG-3350

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of PEG-3350. 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 PEG-3350

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 PEG-3350. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for PEG-3350. 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.
• 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 pretax 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

PEG-3350 is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Golytely.

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 PEG-3350 but you’re interested in taking Golytely, 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 PEG-3350 compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about PEG-3350 and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about PEG-3350.  

Is PEG-3350 covered by Medicare?

Yes, Medicare prescription drug plans usually cover PEG-3350. Prescription drug coverage is available through Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C).

Drugs that are covered by a prescription drug plan are ranked in a tier system. Usually, the higher the tier, the higher your copay will be. Because PEG-3350 is a generic drug, it’s likely to be in a lower tier. You’ll probably have a lower copay for PEG-3350 than the brand-name version, Golytely.

Contact your Medicare Part D or Part C provider to find out whether PEG-3350 is covered under your plan and how much your copay will be.

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 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, 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 PEG-3350

This article provides cost information related to PEG-3350. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for PEG-3350.

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:

• Is PEG-3350 covered by my insurance or prescription plan?
• Will I have a copay for PEG-3350?
• Are there lower cost drugs that I could use?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medications?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Polyethylene glycol 3350 and electrolytes for oral solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7a2d8dab-750f-43c1-933c-4169a840c60c/spl-doc

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.