Valtoco (diazepam) is a prescription drug that helps treat seizure clusters in adults and certain children with epilepsy. Valtoco’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The active ingredient* in Valtoco is diazepam. The drug comes as a liquid solution in a nasal spray.

For more details on Valtoco, see this in-depth article.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

The price you pay for Valtoco 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 Valtoco, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

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

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Valtoco and cost.

How does the cost of Valtoco compare with the cost of Diastat?

The cost of Valtoco compared with Diastat depends on several factors. Valtoco and Diastat contain the same active ingredient,* diazepam. But these drugs come in different forms, which could mean they vary in cost. Diastat comes as a gel that you insert into your rectum, while Valtoco is a liquid solution in a nasal spray.

The cost difference between these two drugs may also depend on your dosage.

If you have other questions about how the prices of Valtoco and Diastat compare, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Is Valtoco covered by Medicare?

Medicare may cover the cost of Valtoco, but it depends on your specific Medicare plan. To find out how much you’ll pay for Valtoco, talk with your Medicare plan provider.

Valtoco 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 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 Valtoco or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, 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.

If you still have questions about the cost of Valtoco, 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 cost you’d pay for Valtoco.

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

  • Can I take diazepam tablets instead of Valtoco to save money?
  • Are there other nasal spray medications I can use instead of Valtoco that may cost less?
  • Which other low cost drug options can treat seizure clusters?

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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.