Malathion

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on December 21, 2023

Malathion (mal a THYE on) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for head lice. Malathion isn’t available in a brand-name version. The cost of malathion with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of malathion

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

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

To find out how much malathion 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 malathion” section.

Coupons for malathion

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

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

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

Malathion 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.) Malathion is based on the brand-name version Ovide, 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.

Common questions about malathion and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about malathion.

Is malathion covered by Medicare?

Yes, Medicare Part D plans usually cover malathion. The price you pay for drugs with Medicare Part D depends on the drug’s tier or level. Plans divide drugs into tiers based on how much you’ll pay. In general, drugs in higher tiers cost more than drugs in lower tiers. Each plan has their own tier system.

If you have Medicare Part D, contact your plan administrator to find out if malathion is covered and how much you’ll pay for it.

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 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 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, which have already been tested. So, generic medications don’t require the same kind of costly testing as brand-name medications.

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 malathion

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

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:

• How does the cost of malathion compare with other drugs that treat head lice?
• Are there over-the-counter (OTC) medications for treating head lice that cost less than malathion?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Malathion lotion USP, 0.5%. (2013). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d792c1cb-ec9b-4942-8096-101d01293cea/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.