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Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on January 25, 2024

Potassium iodide (poe TASS ee um EYE oh dide) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to thin mucus in the lungs. The brand-name version of this drug is SSKI. The cost of potassium iodide with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, potassium iodide is prescribed to thin mucus in the lungs of adults with asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.

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

Cost of potassium iodide

Like other medications, the cost of potassium iodide 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 potassium iodide 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 potassium iodide” section.

Coupons for potassium iodide

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of potassium iodide. 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 potassium iodide

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 potassium iodide. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for potassium iodide. 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.
• 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

Potassium iodide is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is SSKI.

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 version.

If your doctor has prescribed potassium iodide but you’re interested in taking SSKI, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which versions of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all versions.

To learn how the cost of potassium iodide compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about potassium iodide and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about potassium iodide.  

Is potassium iodide covered by Medicare?

Possibly. You can contact your Medicare plan administrator to learn if your plan covers the cost of potassium iodide. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to tell you about your cost for potassium iodide under 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 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 about potassium iodide

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

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 potassium iodide affect the cost?
• Are there any lower cost medications to treat my condition?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

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
• Potassium iodide oral solution, USP (saturated) 1 g/mL (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b0bf9487-45d0-4fbc-a8dd-90f505355d14/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.