Lokelma

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Paul Hetrick, PharmD
Updated on July 6, 2024

Lokelma is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed to treat high potassium levels in adults. Lokelma is not available in a generic version. The cost of Lokelma with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Lokelma is not used in emergency cases of high potassium levels because it does not work fast enough.

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

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Cost of Lokelma

Like other medications, the cost of Lokelma 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 Lokelma 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. You can also contact the manufacturer or visit the product website to determine whether you’re eligible for any savings or support options. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Lokelma” section.

Coupons for Lokelma

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

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 Lokelma. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Lokelma. 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 Lokelma 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

Lokelma 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 the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are 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.

This competition may help keep the 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.

Common questions about Lokelma and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Lokelma.

Is Lokelma covered by Medicare?

Possibly. Some Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover Lokelma. But others do not. If Lokelma is covered under your Medicare Part D plan, it’s usually listed on a higher tier on the formulary. A formulary is a list of drugs your insurance covers. A drug on a higher tier costs you more than a drug on a lower tier.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance to learn whether Lokelma is covered under your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

How does the cost of Lokelma compare with the costs of Veltassa and Kayexalate?

The costs of Lokelma, Veltassa, and Kayexalate can vary depending on the insurance you have, the pharmacy you use, and the dosage you’re prescribed. Lokelma and Veltassa are brand-name medications. They’re not available in generic versions. But the brand-name drug Kayexalate is available in a generic version, called sodium polystyrene sulfonate. This version of Kayexalate is usually much cheaper than Lokelma or Veltassa.

Without insurance, Veltassa tends to be more expensive than Lokelma. But their list prices are similar. Again, your cost may vary depending on your insurance and dosage.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about what the cost of these drugs would be for you.

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
• Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) for oral suspension. (2024). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/207078s010lbl.pdf

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.