Ribavirin [soln]
Generic Virazole
Ribavirin (rye ba VYE rin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for viral infections. The brand-name version of its inhaled form is Virazole. Its oral forms aren’t available in brand-name versions. The cost of ribavirin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Ribavirin (rye ba VYE rin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for viral infections. The brand-name version of its inhaled form is Virazole. Its oral forms aren’t available in brand-name versions. The cost of ribavirin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Solution Reconstituted
- • 1 of 6gm
- • 8 Vials
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
Make sure your dosage values are correct! In order for Optum Perks to provide the most accurate discount pricing for your prescription, take a moment to verify your dosage above.
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on February 15, 2024
Ribavirin (rye ba VYE rin) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for viral infections. The brand-name version of its inhaled form is Virazole. Its oral forms aren’t available in brand-name versions. The cost of ribavirin 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 ribavirin to treat:
- chronic (long lasting) hepatitis C virus (HCV), using the oral capsules or oral tablets together with certain other antiviral drugs, in adults and certain children
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), using the inhaled form, in infants who were hospitalized and young children
Read on to learn about ribavirin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about ribavirin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
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Cost
Cost of ribavirin
Like other medications, the cost of ribavirin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the cost of a hospital stay
To find out how much ribavirin 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 ribavirin” section.
Coupons
Coupons for ribavirin
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of ribavirin. 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
Insurance and other considerations for ribavirin
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 ribavirin oral capsules or oral tablets. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for ribavirin. 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 ribavirin’s inhaled form may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of inhaled ribavirin. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
- A 3-month supply: If you’re taking ribavirin oral capsules or oral tablets 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Ribavirin is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:
Form | Generic available | Brand available | Brand name |
---|---|---|---|
oral capsule | ✓ | ||
oral tablet | ✓ | ||
inhaled form | ✓ | ✓ | Virazole |
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Common questions about ribavirin and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about ribavirin.
Does ribavirin oral tablet cost less than the inhalation solution form of the drug?
It depends, because these drugs are used for different conditions and given in different ways.
Ribavirin oral tablet is prescribed for chronic HCV. Insurance drug coverage is the main factor that determines the drug’s cost. Insurance plans differ in how they cover drugs and the copays they require. If you’re using insurance, your cost will depend on your plan’s specific drug coverage.
Ribavirin’s inhaled form is given by healthcare professionals in a hospital to treat RSV. Its cost depends on your medical insurance, if you have any. The government sets hospital payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
But private medical insurance companies negotiate these payment rates. The payment rate will be set based on your diagnosis and any procedures you have while in the hospital. Medications, such as ribavirin inhalation solution, are included in this payment rate.
You can learn more about how the cost of ribavirin’s different forms by contacting your insurance provider. You could also ask someone at your pharmacy about the cost of ribavirin oral tablet.
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. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.
This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs 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
What to ask about ribavirin
This article provides cost information related to ribavirin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for ribavirin.
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 ribavirin oral capsule compare to the oral tablet?
- Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
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
- Ribavirin capsules, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/35f99f76-f2ef-4a81-91ff-285419664be3/spl-doc#section-2
- Ribavirin for inhalation solution, USP. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0296d300-a8e1-9dbd-e063-6394a90a7752/spl-doc
- Ribavirin tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/eee304d0-c2ea-44f4-97d9-92a414d31b6c/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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