Ursodiol is a generic drug that’s prescribed for certain bile duct diseases. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Actigall, Urso 250, and Urso Forte. The cost of ursodiol with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ursodiol oral tablets to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults. With PBC, bile backs up in the liver and causes damage.
Ursodiol oral capsules are FDA-approved to treat certain types of gallstones in adults who cannot have surgery to remove them.
Ursodiol oral capsules are also approved to help prevent gallstones in adults with obesity who are experiencing rapid weight loss.
As with all medications, the cost of ursodiol can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of ursodiol 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 ursodiol prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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Ursodiol is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. 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.
Ursodiol is available as the brand-name drugs Actigall, Urso 250, and Urso Forte. If your doctor has prescribed ursodiol and you’re interested in taking one of these drugs 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 these brand-name drugs compares with the cost of ursodiol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take ursodiol 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 ursodiol. 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. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Ursodiol 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 ursodiol, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and ursodiol.
What is the cost of ursodiol without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for ursodiol 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
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed (such as the oral capsule or tablet)
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 ursodiol.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of ursodiol’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 does ursodiol’s cost compare with that of medications such as chenodiol?
The price you would pay for ursodiol versus that of chenodiol depends on various factors.
For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Ursodiol is available as an oral capsule and oral tablet, while chenodiol is only available as an oral tablet.
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 ursodiol compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive ursodiol.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers ursodiol. This means the company and your doctor will discuss ursodiol 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 ursodiol requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and ursodiol, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to ursodiol. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for ursodiol.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money: Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- Information about your condition: For more information about gallstones and gallbladder health, see our list of gallbladder articles.
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.