Retrovir IV Infusion, Retrovir

Introduction

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on December 15, 2023

Zidovudine (zye DOE vyoo deen) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating HIV. The brand-name version of this drug is Retrovir. The cost of zidovudine 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 zidovudine to treat HIV in combination with other medications and to prevent transmission of HIV during birth.

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

Cost of zidovudine

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the form of the drug you take or use
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much zidovudine 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 zidovudine” section.

Coupons for zidovudine

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

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

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

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 versions.

If your doctor has prescribed zidovudine, but you’re interested in taking Retrovir, 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 zidovudine compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about zidovudine and cost

Here are some common questions about zidovudine and their answers.  

How does the cost of zidovudine compare with the cost of lamivudine?

The cost of zidovudine or lamivudine will depend on several factors. These factors can include your insurance coverage (if you have any), the pharmacy you use, the form of the drug you take, and whether you qualify for any coupons.

If you have questions about how much zidovudine or lamivudine will cost, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

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 zidovudine

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

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 lamivudine cost less than zidovudine?
• Will the cost of my medication be lower if I get a 90-day supply?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

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
• Zidovudine capsule. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9907acb2-e4a0-46f9-93c0-a8d7b7ce98cf/spl-doc
• Zidovudine syrup. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/51abd2ce-6be1-412d-b806-5f24935ac5e3/spl-doc
• Zidovudine tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8c065559-bd35-4dda-ac8f-624eea0641ae/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.