Amiodarone is a generic prescription drug used to treat life threatening arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm). Amiodarone’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.

The price you pay for amiodarone can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on how much you have to pay to receive amiodarone intravenous (IV) infusions* from a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.

To find out how much you’ll pay for amiodarone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

* This is an injection into a vein given over time.

To save money on your amiodarone prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)

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Amiodarone is a generic drug. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

Amiodarone comes in the brand-name versions Pacerone and Nexterone. To find out how the costs of Pacerone, Nexterone, and amiodarone compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed amiodarone and you’re interested in Pacerone or Nexterone instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version over the others. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may not cover all versions of this drug.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take amiodarone long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of amiodarone if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of amiodarone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for amiodarone. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through 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 help covering the cost of amiodarone or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about amiodarone and cost.

How much does amiodarone cost without insurance?

The cost of amiodarone without insurance depends on several factors. But in general, your cost will be higher without insurance.

Your cost for amiodarone may depend on factors such as:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • whether you qualify and apply for any savings programs
  • the form of the drug you’re prescribed
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the supply of medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)

To find out your exact cost for amiodarone without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to check with a few pharmacies to compare prices.

You can also visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for amiodarone when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.

Does Medicare cover amiodarone?

It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of amiodarone, call your plan provider. There are many types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.

Your final cost may also depend on the price to receive amiodarone IV infusions at a doctor’s office or clinic.

Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover amiodarone. (See the “Prior authorization” section below for more information.)

You can also ask your doctor about the cost of amiodarone if you have Medicare.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover amiodarone. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss amiodarone in regard to your treatment. Then, the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If amiodarone requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether amiodarone requires prior authorization.

If you still have questions about the cost of amiodarone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual price you’d pay for amiodarone.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Does the 200-milligram (mg) amiodarone tablet cost more than the 100-mg tablet?
  • How does the cost of amiodarone tablets compare with that of other drugs used to treat an irregular heartbeat, such as sotalol?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford amiodarone?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.