Lamivudine Zidovudine

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on February 2, 2024

Lamivudine/zidovudine (la MI vyoo deen/zye DOE vyoo deen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat HIV. It’s not available in a brand-name version. The cost of lamivudine/zidovudine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of lamivudine/zidovudine

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

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

To find out how much lamivudine/zidovudine 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 lamivudine/zidovudine” section.

Coupons for lamivudine/zidovudine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of lamivudine/zidovudine. 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 lamivudine/zidovudine

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

Lamivudine/zidovudine is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

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.) Lamivudine/zidovudine is based on the brand-name version Combivir, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about generic or brand-name drugs.

Common questions about lamivudine/zidovudine and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about lamivudine/zidovudine.  

How does the cost of lamivudine/zidovudine compare with the cost of other HIV drugs?

It depends. The prices of lamivudine/zidovudine and other HIV drugs can vary depending on whether you’re using insurance or paying out of pocket. Insurance companies can differ in how they cover these drugs. They may cover some or all HIV drugs. And they may charge different copays for them.

The price can also vary if you use a brand-name product or a generic product. Lamivudine/zidovudine is a generic medication. This can save you money if you’re paying out of your own pocket. Also, insurance companies usually have a lower copay for generics. Brand-name HIV drugs will likely cost more and have a higher copay.

You can learn more about how the cost of lamivudine/zidovudine compares with other HIV drugs by contacting your insurance provider. Or you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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 patent and 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 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 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 lamivudine/zidovudine

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

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 is my copay for lamivudine/zidovudine?
• Are there assistance programs to help pay for HIV drugs?
• What other options do I have 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   
• Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/63667952-be01-483e-9887-1d5417e7ec16/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.