Pimozide

Introduction

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Tim Ivers, PharmD, AAHIVP
Updated on November 21, 2023

Pimozide oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed to reduce involuntary tics of Tourette syndrome. Pimozide is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of pimozide with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

Cost of pimozide

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use and whether it’s within your insurance network

To find out how much pimozide 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 pimozide” section.

Coupons for pimozide

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

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

Pimozide is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Pimozide is based on the brand-name version Orap, 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 version.

Common questions about pimozide and cost

Here are some common questions about pimozide and their answers.

Is pimozide covered by Medicare?

Yes, it’s possible. Many different types of Medicare plans are available. Your coverage and cost depend on your specific plan’s benefits. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers pimozide, contact your plan provider.

Your Medicare plan may have a prior authorization requirement. If so, your doctor will discuss the steps involved before pimozide is covered by your plan.

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 a medication work.)

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

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

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 pimozide compare with or without insurance?
• Does my cost of pimozide depend on my dosage?
• Is there an option to treat my condition that costs less than pimozide?

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
• Pimozide oral tablet. (2017). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/70b079e2-a1f7-4a93-8685-d60a4d7c1280/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.