Inbrija (levodopa) is a prescription inhaler used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Inbrija’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Inbrija can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for this medication, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: Inbrija is available through specialty pharmacies.

To learn more about Inbrija, including its dosage, side effects, how to use the inhaler, and more, see this article.

Inbrija comes as an inhalation powder in one strength of 42 milligram (mg). It’s currently only available as a brand-name drug. It’s not 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 need help covering the cost of Inbrija or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

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

The makers of Inbrija offer a cash pay program to eligible people where they only pay $195 per carton. They also offer an ongoing copay adjustment program for commercially insured people for as little as $30 a month. And they offer a free trial coupon where the first prescription of Inbrija is free to let people try it out. Talk with your doctor to learn more about these programs.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the drug’s availability, including whether you can buy Inbrija online through specialty pharmacies.

If you use Inbrija 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 Inbrija if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy. 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 Inbrija. 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 Inbrija through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest specialty pharmacy options that could work for you.

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

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.