Spiriva
Tiotropium
Tiotropium (ty oh TRO pee um) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The brand-name versions of this drug are Spiriva Handihaler and Spiriva Respimat. The cost of tiotropium with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Tiotropium (ty oh TRO pee um) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The brand-name versions of this drug are Spiriva Handihaler and Spiriva Respimat. The cost of tiotropium with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 30 of 18mcg
- • 3 Boxes
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on January 19, 2024
Tiotropium (ty oh TRO pee um) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The brand-name versions of this drug are Spiriva Handihaler and Spiriva Respimat. The cost of tiotropium with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about tiotropium and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about tiotropium, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
Cost
Cost of tiotropium
Like other medications, the cost of tiotropium 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 tiotropium 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 tiotropium” section.
Coupons
Coupons for tiotropium
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of tiotropium. 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
Insurance and other considerations for tiotropium
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 tiotropium. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for tiotropium. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
- A 3-month supply: If you’re using tiotropium 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 pre-tax 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
Tiotropium is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:
Form | Generic available | Brand available | Brand name |
---|---|---|---|
inhalation powder | ✓ | ✓ | Spiriva Handihaler |
inhalation spray | ✓ | Spiriva Respimat |
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what 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 tiotropium but you’re interested in using Spiriva Handihaler or Spiriva Respimat, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check which form(s) your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.
To learn how the cost of tiotropium compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about tiotropium and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about tiotropium.
How much does tiotropium cost without insurance?
The cost of tiotropium without insurance depends on many factors, including the quantity of the drug you’re prescribed and the pharmacy you purchase the drug from. Pharmacies charge different prices for drugs, so it’s best to check a few pharmacies to find the best price.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is tiotropium covered by Medicare?
Possibly. Medicare Part D covers several prescription drugs. However, every plan covers different drugs.
Check with your Medicare administrator to see if tiotropium is covered by your Medicare 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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients 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 tiotropium
This article provides cost information related to tiotropium. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for tiotropium.
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 I have a copay for tiotropium?
- What are my options if I can’t afford tiotropium?
- Are there lower cost drugs available to treat my condition?
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
- Spiriva Handihaler (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder), for oral inhalation use. (2018). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021395s048lbl.pdf
- Spiriva Respimat- tiotropium bromide inhalation spray spray, metered. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7b656b14-fcaa-2741-f6f0-e0be48971c02/spl-doc
- Tiotropium bromide- tiotropium bromide capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/496b38ee-45b6-4bb2-a35e-9023c3b73719/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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