Mepron

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on November 8, 2023

Atovaquone oral liquid is a generic medication that’s prescribed for a specific type of pneumonia. The brand-name version of this drug is Mepron. The cost of atovaquone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved atovaquone to prevent or treat Pneumocystis pneumonia. Doctors sometimes call this PCP pneumonia. It’s approved for use in adults and certain children who can’t take a medication called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

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

Cost of atovaquone

Like other medications, the cost of atovaquone 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 atovaquone 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 atovaquone” section.

Coupons for atovaquone

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

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

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

Atovaquone is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Mepron.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

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

Common questions about atovaquone and cost

Here are some common questions about atovaquone and their answers.

Is atovaquone covered by Medicare?

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

If you have Medicare Part D, contact your plan provider to find out how much you’ll pay for atovaquone.

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 drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs 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.

What to ask about atovaquone

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

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:

• Will my dosage of atovaquone affect the cost?
• Are there other drugs besides atovaquone that could treat my condition at a lower cost?
• What are my options if I can’t afford atovaquone?

Resources

• Atovaquone oral suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/de0e29b5-a4c7-405c-a5b9-438729d9ba3a/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.