Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate) is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Azstarys can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for this medication, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Azstarys prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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Azstarys only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

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 Azstarys 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 Azstarys if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Azstarys. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of this drug, 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 Azstarys. 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 Azstarys or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, 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 Azstarys and cost.

How does the cost of Azstarys compare with that of similar drugs, such as Adderall?

The cost of Azstarys compared with the cost of Adderall can depend on several factors. For example, Azstarys comes in a different form than Adderall, which may affect the cost. Azstarys is an oral capsule and Adderall is an oral tablet.

Other factors that may affect how much you pay include:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts
  • your dosage

If you have questions about the cost of Azstarys compared with the cost of similar medications, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

What’s the cost of Azstarys without insurance vs. with insurance?

The cost of Azstarys without insurance versus with insurance can vary based on several factors.

Some factors that may affect your cost of Azstarys without insurance include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the quantity of Azstarys you’re prescribed (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • any cost savings programs you qualify and apply for

The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But in addition, your cost with insurance may depend on:

  • your individual plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements for your plan (see the “Prior authorization” section below for more information)

To find out more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Whether you have insurance or not, you can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for Azstarys 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.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Azstarys. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Azstarys in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Azstarys 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 Azstarys requires prior authorization.

If you still have questions about the cost of Azstarys, 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 Azstarys.

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

  • Will my dosage of Azstarys affect what I pay for the drug?
  • If I can’t afford Azstarys, what other medications can I use to treat my ADHD?
  • Do I qualify for any copay assistance for Azstarys?

To learn more about Azstarys, see these articles:

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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.