Pentasa (mesalamine) is a prescription oral capsule that’s used to treat ulcerative colitis in adults. Pentasa’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 Pentasa can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

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

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

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Pentasa is available as the generic drug mesalamine. 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.

To find out how the costs of Pentasa and mesalamine compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Pentasa and you’re interested in trying mesalamine instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

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 Pentasa 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 Pentasa if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Pentasa. If you’re interested in getting 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 Pentasa. 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 Pentasa 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 Pentasa and cost.

Will the strength of Pentasa I’m prescribed affect the cost?

Pentasa capsules are available in strengths of 250 milligrams (mg) and 500 mg. The cost of either strength may depend on several factors, including your insurance (if you have coverage) and the pharmacy you choose.

If you have questions about how the prices of the two Pentasa strengths compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

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

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

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

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • the pharmacy you choose
  • the quantity you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • any cost savings programs you qualify 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).

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