How much is Pylera without insurance?

Is Pylera covered by insurance? | How much does Pylera cost without insurance? | How to get Pylera without insurance

Pylera is a brand-name prescription drug that is FDA-approved to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infections in people with duodenal ulcers. H. pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining. Over time, the infection can damage the stomach lining and the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum. Eventually, this damage can result in open sores, called ulcers. Pylera combines two antibiotics, metronidazole, and tetracycline, with bismuth subcitrate potassium. This drug is very similar to the stomach pain medication and antacid Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth drugs coat the stomach and duodenum to protect them from stomach acid. They also partly neutralize stomach acid and suppress bacterial growth. All of the drugs combined in Pylera are available in lower-cost generic versions, but premium-priced Pylera is the only drug that combines all three.

What is the generic for Pylera?

There is no generic drug that combines metronidazole, tetracycline, and bismuth subsalicylate in a single capsule. However, these three medications are available separately in generic versions. Bismuth subsalicylate can be purchased over the counter.

Is Pylera covered by insurance?

Some health insurance plans, such as Humana, United Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and some Medicare drug plans, will cover a Pylera prescription. However, many health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, and the VA do not cover Pylera. Those who do cover it typically place it in their highest drug tiers, so the copay cost may be high. The final out-of-pocket cost with insurance also depends on coinsurance and coverage gaps.

How much does Pylera cost without insurance?

Without insurance, Pylera costs about $1,180 for 120, 140-125-125 mg capsules. Pylera is instructed to be taken by mouth as four capsules three times per day, so that’s enough capsules to cover 10 days of treatment. Each day’s treatment, then, will cost about $120. A 14-day treatment regimen may cost more. Keep in mind that Pylera treatment also requires a fourth prescription drug, omeprazole, to be taken for the full 10 days, which could add $60 to the final cost.

Pylera is used as one component of an H. pylori eradication treatment called quadruple bismuth therapy. The four drugs used are metronidazole, tetracycline, bismuth, and an acid reducer, such as omeprazole. All of these drugs are available in generic versions. If insurance is lacking or doesn’t cover a Pylera prescription, ask the prescribing healthcare provider about switching to generic versions of the drugs that make up Pylera.

Additionally, bismuth quadruple therapy is not the only option for treating H. pylori. Currently, generic tetracycline is very expensive, even for some people with health insurance. Some H. pylori treatments don’t include tetracycline. However, treatments without tetracycline may not be suitable for several reasons. The most important reason may be bacterial resistance to other antibiotics, so ask the prescriber for medical advice before switching from tetracycline to another therapy. These other therapies without tetracycline may currently be the cheapest alternatives to Pylera.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Pylera without insurance

At a cost of nearly $1,200 for ten days of treatment, purchasing Pylera may be challenging for uninsured patients. The manufacturer offers a patient assistance program, but not everyone will meet the eligibility requirements. However, there are other opportunities to reduce the cost. In the search for prescription savings, try starting with a SingleCare prescription discount card.

1. Start with a SingleCare savings card

Visit SingleCare’s Pylera coupon page to find discounted prices for Pylera at convenient local pharmacies. The discounts vary per participating pharmacy, but the lowest SingleCare price for Pylera is $830. That’s enough capsules for a standard 10-day treatment regimen, and it will cut $350 off the average retail price, saving $35 per each day of treatment.

2. Find the pharmacy with the lowest price

Even without a savings card, people can save as much as $100 off the average retail price simply by paying the lowest pharmacy price for Pylera. That works out to a daily savings of $10. Include a SingleCare savings card and reduce the price by several hundred dollars more. Get an extra $3 off your next prescription just for signing up.

3. Consider buying generics 

All of the drugs in Pylera are available as generics except one, bismuth subcitrate potassium. However, bismuth subsalicylate, a very similar and highly effective substitute, can be purchased over the counter for only a few dollars. There is a hitch, however. Generic tetracycline is currently selling at prices close to Pylera. Fortunately, a SingleCare tetracycline coupon can reduce that price to as low as $50. 

4. Ask for medical advice about other treatment options

Physicians follow somewhat rigid guidelines when treating ulcers due to H. pylori infections. These therapies go by names like “triple therapy” and “bismuth quadruple therapy.” The drugs in Pylera are three components of bismuth quadruple therapy. Keep in mind that there’s a reason that the physician is prescribing this therapy. However, there may be another lower-priced combination of drugs. There will be trade-offs in effectiveness and side effects, so ask the prescriber about the pros and cons of switching.