Valproic Acid Capsule
Valproic acid (val PROE ik AS id) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat seizures. Valproic acid is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of valproic acid with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Valproic acid (val PROE ik AS id) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat seizures. Valproic acid is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of valproic acid with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 250mg
- • 120 Capsules
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 Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Beth Thomas, PharmD
Updated on January 18, 2024
Valproic acid (val PROE ik AS id) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat seizures. Valproic acid is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of valproic acid with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Read on to learn about valproic acid and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about valproic acid, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of valproic acid
Like other medications, the cost of valproic acid 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 valproic acid 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 valproic acid” section.
Coupons
Coupons for valproic acid
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of valproic acid. 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 valproic acid
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 valproic acid. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for valproic acid. 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 valproic acid 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
Valproic acid is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Valproic acid is based on the brand-name version Depakene, which is no longer available.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider if you have questions about valproic acid.
FAQ
Common questions about valproic acid and cost
Here are some common questions about valproic acid and their answers.
How does the cost of valproic acid compare with the cost of lamotrigine?
It depends. Lamotrigine is another drug that may be used to treat seizures.
Many factors can affect the cost of a medication. These include:
- the drug’s form
- the drug’s strength
- whether you have insurance, and what your insurance plan covers
- the pharmacy you use
Note there may be reasons why your doctor may recommend valproic acid over lamotrigine, or vice versa.
Talk with your insurance provider, pharmacist, or doctor if you have questions about how valproic acid compares with lamotrigine.
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 the ingredient that 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 valproic acid
This article provides cost information related to valproic acid. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for valproic acid.
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 my insurance cover the cost of valproic acid?
- Are there other low cost drugs that could be used to treat my condition?
- What options are available 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
- Valproic acid capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b7872509-f197-4e7a-8248-7dd6d376e408/spl-doc
- Valproic acid oral solution, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/65c1589e-c591-4b79-b75e-884c0d609ae8/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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