Kaletra

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD
Updated on February 15, 2024

Lopinavir/ritonavir (loe PIN a veer/ri TOE na vir) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat HIV infection. The brand-name version of this drug is Kaletra. The cost of lopinavir/ritonavir, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

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Cost of lopinavir/ritonavir

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use 
• the quantity prescribed
• the drug form you’re prescribed

To find out how much lopinavir/ritonavir 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 lopinavir/ritonavir” section.

Coupons for lopinavir/ritonavir

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of lopinavir/ritonavir. 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 lopinavir/ritonavir

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 lopinavir/ritonavir. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for lopinavir/ritonavir. 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 lopinavir/ritonavir 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 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

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

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 version(s).

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

Common questions about lopinavir/ritonavir and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about lopinavir/ritonavir.  

How does the cost of lopinavir/ritonavir compare with the cost of tenofovir?

The cost of lopinavir/ritonavir or tenofovir depends on various factors. These include whether you have insurance and the type of coverage, whether you get a 90-day supply of the drug, and the pharmacy you use. (Tenofovir is another medication used to treat HIV infection.)

To find out how much you’ll pay for lopinavir/ritonavir compared with tenofovir, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or 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 lopinavir/ritonavir

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

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 are my options if I can’t afford lopinavir/ritonavir?
• Will my dosage of lopinavir/ritonavir affect my cost?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?

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   
• Kaletra (lopinavir and ritonavir) tablet, for oral use and oral solution. (2020). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/021251s059,021906s054lbl.pdf
• Lopinavir-ritonavir solution. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4b1caefa-e6a2-42f3-9194-6dc1dd9e6d85/spl-doc
• Lopinavir and ritonavir tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a7072c60-6dbf-4125-95e7-497c05a9e6a6/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.