Nuplazid

Introduction

Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on June 10, 2024

Nuplazid is a brand-name medication that’s used for delusions and hallucinations related to Parkinson’s disease psychosis in adults. The generic version is pimavanserin, but it may not be available yet. The cost of Nuplazid with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

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Cost of Nuplazid

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity prescribed
• the drug form you’re prescribed

To find out how much Nuplazid 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 Nuplazid” section.

Coupons for Nuplazid

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

However, if you’re given Nuplazid by a doctor or another healthcare professional, you might not be able to use the coupons.

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 Nuplazid

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 Nuplazid. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Nuplazid. 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.
• Insurance coverage: Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of Nuplazid may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional may give doses of Nuplazid. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Nuplazid 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

Nuplazid is a brand-name medication available in an oral capsule and an oral tablet. The generic version is pimavanserin, but it may not be available yet. Talk with your doctor to learn if an alternative to Nuplazid is available.

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.

If your doctor has prescribed Nuplazid, but you’re interested in pimavanserin, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which versions of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all medications.

To learn how the cost and availability of Nuplazid compares with its generic version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

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 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 Nuplazid and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Nuplazid.

Is Nuplazid covered by Medicare?

According to the drugmaker, Medicare Part D covers Nuplazid. So if you’re eligible for Medicare, it’s likely that Nuplazid is covered at a retail pharmacy.

But whether you’ll have a copay with Medicare depends on the type of plan you have. Be sure to talk with your Medicare representative to find out your exact cost of Nuplazid. You can also talk with your pharmacist.

How much does Nuplazid cost without insurance?

It depends. The cost of Nuplazid can vary depending on the pharmacy you use, the drug form and the dosage you’re prescribed, and other factors.

Typically, prescription drug costs are lower with insurance than without insurance. But talk with your pharmacist to find out the exact cost you’ll pay for Nuplazid without insurance.

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
• Food and Drug Administration: ANDA 214493. (2024). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2024/214493Orig1s000ltr.pdf
• Nuplazid: Acadia Connect. (2024). https://www.acadiaconnect.com/nuplazid/patient-caregivers/cost-insurance
• Nuplazid (pimavanserin) capsules, for oral use; Nuplazid (pimavanserin) tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/210793s009,207318s012lbl.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.