Lidostream, Syntherma Plus, Lidotral-menthol, Elemar Patch, Lidothol, LM Plus Relief

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on February 20, 2024

Elemar is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for nerve pain caused by shingles. Elemar is not available in a generic version. The cost of Elemar with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Elemar. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

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Cost of Elemar

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

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

To find out how much Elemar 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 Elemar” section.

Coupons for Elemar

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

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 Elemar. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Elemar. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re using Elemar 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.

Brand-names vs. generics

Elemar is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic 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.) 

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

Common questions about Elemar and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Elemar.  

How does the cost of Elemar compare with the cost of similar drugs, such as LidoStream?

The cost of Elemar compared with similar drugs, such as LidoStream, depends on various factors, including insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much Elemar may cost compared with similar drugs, 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. 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.

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 Elemar

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

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 Elemar?
• Is Elemar covered by my insurance?
• Are there lower cost drugs that can treat my condition?

Resources

• Elemar patch- lidocaine. (2015). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3de6bb95-3673-45c4-bf11-90ec858c37d9/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.