Imuran

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on September 26, 2023

Azathioprine is a generic medication that’s prescribed for organ transplantation and rheumatoid arthritis. The brand-name versions of this drug are Imuran and Azasan. The cost of azathioprine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Azathioprine comes in these forms: Oral tablet that you swallow, and as an intravenous (IV) infusion.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved azathioprine to prevent rejection of kidney transplants and reduce the symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis.

Read on to learn about azathioprine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about azathioprine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of azathioprine

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive doses of azathioprine infusion

To find out how much azathioprine 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 following section.

Coupons for azathioprine

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

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 azathioprine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for azathioprine. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it or using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of azathioprine may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because azathioprine infusion doses are given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking azathioprine 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

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

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 believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

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

Common questions about azathioprine and cost

Here are some common questions about azathioprine and their answers.  

Is azathioprine covered by Medicare?

Possibly. Medicare coverage of azathioprine will depend on your insurance plan and if you are receiving azathioprine tablets or IV infusion. If you have questions about Medicare covering the cost of azathioprine, you should contact 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. 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 the 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.

What to ask about azathioprine

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

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:

• Will switching from azathioprine infusions to azathioprine tablets make my medication more affordable?
• If I can’t afford my medication, can I change my dosage to make it cheaper?
• Are there other, lower cost medications that can be used to treat my condition?

Resources

• Azathioprine. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ceab8e8b-d022-4d0c-a552-cc5782446248/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.