Aricept (donepezil) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Aricept has a savings program.
As with all medications, the cost of Aricept can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Aricept has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Aricept will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Aricept prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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The active ingredient of Aricept is donepezil. It’s available as the generic drug donepezil. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Aricept and you’re interested in taking donepezil instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Aricept, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Aricept long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Aricept. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost per month. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Aricept may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Aricept, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Aricept.
How much does Aricept cost without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for Aricept if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance.
There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- your dosage
- the pharmacy you use
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Aricept.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of Aricept’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
How much does Aricept cost with Medicare?
It depends. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug and how much it’ll cost. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.
You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.
Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Aricept if you have Medicare.
How does the Aricept 10-milligram (mg) price compare with the cost of Aricept 5 mg?
The price you’d pay for Aricept depends on various factors, such as the dosage strength or form of the drug.
There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, including:
- the length of your treatment
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
To learn more about the cost of different strengths and dosages of Aricept, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Aricept.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Aricept. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Aricept in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Aricept requires prior authorization.
If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.