Mycobutin
Rifabutin
Rifabutin (rif a BYOO tin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to prevent a type of infection for people living with HIV. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycobutin. The cost of rifabutin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Rifabutin (rif a BYOO tin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to prevent a type of infection for people living with HIV. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycobutin. The cost of rifabutin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 150mg
- • 60 Capsules
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Michael Rio, PharmD
Updated on January 26, 2024
Rifabutin (rif a BYOO tin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to prevent a type of infection for people living with HIV. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycobutin. The cost of rifabutin 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 rifabutin to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection in people living with advanced HIV. This infection can occur in people with weakened immune systems.
Read on to learn about rifabutin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about rifabutin, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of rifabutin
Like other medications, the cost of rifabutin 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 rifabutin 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 rifabutin” section.
Coupons
Coupons for rifabutin
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of rifabutin. 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
Insurance and other considerations for rifabutin
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 rifabutin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for rifabutin. 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 rifabutin 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Rifabutin is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycobutin.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what 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 rifabutin but you’re interested in taking Mycobutin, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.
To learn how the cost of rifabutin compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about rifabutin and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about rifabutin.
Is rifabutin covered by Medicare?
Usually, yes. But it might depend on a few factors, including your specific Medicare prescription drug plan and why you’re taking rifabutin. Medicare covers all treatment that’s medically necessary for people living with HIV.
See this article for ways to help with the cost of HIV care, including information for if you don’t have insurance. You can also talk with your insurance provider, pharmacist, or doctor if you have questions about the cost of your rifabutin prescription.
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. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.
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.
What to ask
What to ask about rifabutin
This article provides cost information related to rifabutin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for rifabutin.
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:
- Does my insurance cover the cost of rifabutin?
- Are there other lower cost drugs that could be used to treat my condition?
- Is it safe to skip doses of rifabutin to save money?
- What options are available if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
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
- Mycobutin — mycobutin capsule. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/050689s026lbl.pdf
- Rifabutin — rifabutin capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/df7d4103-42e4-4e4f-e053-2a95a90a8ce8/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.
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