Nebupent, Pentam 300

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on February 9, 2024

Pentamidine (pen TAM i deen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for a type of fungal lung infection. The brand name of the inhalation form of this drug is Nebupent. The brand name of the injection form is Pentam. The cost of pentamidine 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 pentamidine to:

• treat pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in adults and some children (injection form)
• help prevent PCP in adults and some children in certain situations (inhalation form)

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

Cost of pentamidine

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the drug form you’re prescribed
• the cost of nebulizer* equipment (for the inhalation form)
• the pharmacy you use (for the inhalation form)
• the cost of having a healthcare professional give doses of pentamidine (for the injection form)
• the quantity or amount you’re prescribed

To find out how much pentamidine 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 pentamidine” section.

* A nebulizer is a machine that turns a liquid medication into a mist that you inhale.

Coupons for pentamidine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of pentamidine. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

However, you may not be able to use coupons for the injectable form of pentamidine. This form is only given by a healthcare professional.

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 pentamidine

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 pentamidine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for pentamidine. 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.
• Insurance coverage: The price of pentamidine will be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of pentamidine. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at a hospital or other medical facility. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using pentamidine 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

Pentamidine is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

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 versions.

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

Common questions about pentamidine and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about pentamidine.  

Is pentamidine covered by Medicare?

Yes, pentamidine is usually covered by Medicare. With Medicare, coverage for drugs will be based on whether the medication is considered a medical or prescription expense. How the drug is given and where you receive care can also determine whether it’s covered by Medicare.

Talk with your insurance provider, pharmacist, or doctor to find out whether pentamidine is covered by your Medicare plan. They can also help you find out how much it will cost.

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 without anyone else making their drug. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

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 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 pentamidine

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

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:

• Is the cost of pentamidine covered by my insurance?
• Will I have a copay if I’m prescribed pentamidine?
• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medications?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Pentamidine isethionate for oral inhalation only. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c484f16e-9d97-4416-84a4-8ad8deaf5e19/spl-doc
• Pentamidine isethionate injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5c14fbf2-e21f-44b3-b35c-06919d40d7e0/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.