Qualaquin
Quinine
Quinine (KWYE nine) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating a type of malaria. The brand-name version of this drug is Qualaquin. The cost of quinine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Quinine (KWYE nine) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating a type of malaria. The brand-name version of this drug is Qualaquin. The cost of quinine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 324mg
- • 30 Capsules
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on November 14, 2023
Quinine (KWYE nine) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating a type of malaria. The brand-name version of this drug is Qualaquin. The cost of quinine 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 quinine to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and adolescents ages 16 years and older.
Read on to learn about quinine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about quinine, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of quinine
Like other medications, the cost of quinine 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 quinine 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 following section.
Coupons
Coupons for quinine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of quinine. The Optum Perks coupons 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
Insurance and other considerations for quinine
If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of quinine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for quinine. 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.
If you have questions about this consideration, 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
Quinine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Qualaquin.
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.) 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 quinine but you’re interested in taking Qualaquin, 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 quinine compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about quinine and cost
Here are some common questions about quinine and their answers.
Is quinine available over the counter? If so, does the over-the-counter form of the drug cost less than the prescription form?
No, quinine is no longer available over the counter in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stopped over-the-counter sale of quinine in the mid-1990s. Due to safety concerns with over-the-counter use, the drug is now only available on prescription from a doctor.
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.
What to ask
What to ask about quinine
This article provides cost information related to quinine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. You’ll find a link to coupons for quinine near the beginning of this article.
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:
- Are there any hidden costs with quinine, such as the cost of blood tests?
- Are there other treatments for my condition that cost less?
- How effective is quinine compared with other treatments for my condition? And if quinine doesn’t work, what will the next treatment option cost?
Resources
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
- Qualaquin (quinine sulfate) capsules, for oral use. (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/021799s029lbl.pdf
- Quinine sulfate capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e782283e-2608-4fd6-a8b2-6c30b9d5d3b0/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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