Sinemet, Rytary, Carbidopa Levodopa Odt, Duopa, Dhivy
Carbidopa Levodopa ER, Carbidopa Levodopa
Carbidopa/levodopa (kar bi DOE pa/lee voe DOE pa) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. Its brand-name versions are Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, and Dhivy. The cost of carbidopa/levodopa with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Carbidopa/levodopa (kar bi DOE pa/lee voe DOE pa) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. Its brand-name versions are Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, and Dhivy. The cost of carbidopa/levodopa with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 25-100MG Tablet
- • 90 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on November 17, 2023
Carbidopa/levodopa (kar bi DOE pa/lee voe DOE pa) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. Its brand-name versions are Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, and Dhivy. The cost of carbidopa/levodopa with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about carbidopa/levodopa and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about carbidopa/levodopa, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of carbidopa/levodopa
Like other medications, the cost of carbidopa/levodopa 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 carbidopa/levodopa 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 carbidopa/levodopa” section.
Coupons
Coupons for carbidopa/levodopa
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of carbidopa/levodopa. 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 carbidopa/levodopa
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 carbidopa/levodopa. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for carbidopa/levodopa. 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 carbidopa/levodopa 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Carbidopa/levodopa is a generic medication. Some forms of the drug are available in brand-name versions, such as:
- Sinemet and Dhivy, which are brand-name versions of carbidopa/levodopa oral tablet
- Rytary, which comes as an extended-release (ER)* capsule and has no generic version
- Duopa, which comes as an enteral suspension† and has no generic version
Carbidopa/levodopa also comes as an orally disintegrating tablet‡ and an ER tablet. These forms are not available in brand-name 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. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
If your doctor has prescribed carbidopa/levodopa, but you’re interested in taking one of the brand names, 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 carbidopa/levodopa compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over time.
† An enteral suspension is a liquid mixture that’s infused through a tube leading into your small intestines.
‡ Orally disintegrating tablets dissolve when placed on your tongue.
FAQ
Common questions about carbidopa/levodopa and cost
Here are some common questions about carbidopa/levodopa and their answers.
Is carbidopa/levodopa covered by Medicare?
Yes, carbidopa/levodopa should be covered by most Medicare Part D prescription plans. But coverage and copays can vary, depending on the list of covered drugs in your plan.
Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider to learn more about the cost of carbidopa/levodopa with Medicare.
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 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. 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 carbidopa/levodopa
This article provides cost information related to carbidopa/levodopa. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for carbidopa/levodopa.
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:
- Will my dosage of carbidopa/levodopa affect its cost?
- How much do the brand-name versions of carbidopa/levodopa cost?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
Resources
- Carbidopa and levodopa tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6d8968a1-0317-464a-bd03-4f683f562de2/spl-doc
- Carbidopa and levodopa tablet, extended release. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0eb24333-3c11-41dd-888d-3a30d3c9d188/spl-doc
- Carbidopa and levodopa tablet, orally disintegrating. (2018). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/48e0f2ec-b217-4c25-a71c-20e173d05edb/spl-doc
- Dhivy (carbidopa and levodopa) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/214869s002lbl.pdf
- Duopa enteral suspension. (2020). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/203952s011lbl.pdf
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Rytary extended-release capsule. (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/203312s011lbl.pdf
- Sinemet tablet. (2020). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/017555s072lbl.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.
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