Enulose, Generlac, Lactulose (for Encephalopathy)

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on January 12, 2024

Enulose is a branded-generic* medication that’s prescribed to help prevent and treat a brain condition caused by liver disease. It’s available in a generic version called lactulose. The cost of Enulose with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

* Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient(s). But branded-generic drugs are given a proprietary name by the drugmaker.

Cost of Enulose

Like other medications, the cost of Enulose 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 Enulose 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 Enulose” section.

Coupons for Enulose

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Enulose. 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 for Enulose

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 Enulose. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Enulose. 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 Enulose 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 either 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

Enulose is a branded-generic medication.

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.) Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient(s). But branded-generic drugs are given a proprietary name by the drugmaker.

Generics and branded-generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Common questions about Enulose and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Enulose.  

How does the cost of Enulose compare with the cost of Senokot or Miralax?

The amount you’ll pay for Enulose, Senokot, or Miralax depends on several factors. These can include the amount you’re prescribed, the dosage strength, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. Each insurance plan can cover different drugs and charge a wide range of copays for medications.

Additionally, Senokot and Miralax are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, while Enulose is only available with a prescription. Some insurance plans may not cover OTC medications.

If you have more questions about this, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist.

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, including branded-generic drugs. 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.) Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient(s). But branded-generic drugs are given a proprietary name by the drugmaker.

This competition may help keep costs of generic and branded-generic medications lower. Also, generic and branded-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, generic, and branded-generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Enulose

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

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 price of Enulose compare to the price of lactulose?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• What will be my copay for Enulose?

Resources

• Enulose (lactulose solution USP, 10 g/15 mL). (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fa3aae7c-6f98-4fbb-85dc-32affe9874d5/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   

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.