Sapropterin, Javygtor

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on March 4, 2024

Javygtor is a branded-generic* medication that’s prescribed for phenylketonuria (PKU) in adults and some children. The brand-name version of this drug is Kuvan. The cost of Javygtor with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Javygtor to lower blood phenylalanine levels in adults and children ages 1 month and older with a certain type of PKU.

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

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* Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredient. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) But branded-generic drugs, such as Javygtor, are given a proprietary name by the drugmaker.

Cost of Javygtor

Like other medications, the cost of Javygtor can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity you’re prescribed
• the drug form you’re prescribed

To find out how much Javygtor 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 Javygtor” section.

Coupons for Javygtor

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

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

Javygtor is a branded-generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Kuvan.

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. But branded-generic drugs, such as Javygtor, are given a proprietary name by the drugmaker.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version(s).

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

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

Common questions about Javygtor and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Javygtor.

Is Javygtor covered by Medicare?

It may be. You can check with your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your specific plan covers the cost of Javygtor. Several types of Medicare plans are available, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

Your doctor or pharmacist can guide you about the cost of Javygtor if you have 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 patent and 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 about Javygtor

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

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 the form of Javygtor I take affect its cost?
• Are there other low cost medications available 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
• Javygtor (sapropterin dihydrochloride) powder for oral solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/eecdd8c7-5f8a-0af1-793a-db2e2ba0f491/spl-doc
• Javygtor (sapropterin dihydrochloride) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d9f3723f-bf7d-9a72-2ef9-41c5508d6ab4/spl-doc#section-14

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.