Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my ketoconazole

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your ketoconazole using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for ketoconazole, Canadian Prescription Savings for ketoconazole, ketoconazole Drug Coupons, ketoconazole Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is ketoconazole available in?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole is available as a 200 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is ketoconazole used for?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole is an antifungal that is used to treat certain fungal infections that has spread throughout the body.

Question 4

How does ketoconazole work?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole is an azole antifungal medication that works by stopping the fungus from being able to make a protective covering. This causes the fungus to not grow or survive.

Question 5

How do I take ketoconazole?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole is typically started at 200 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, your provider might raise the dose to 400 mg once daily. Your child’s provider will calculate the dose based on your child’s body weight.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take ketoconazole?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you are taking certain CYP3A4 substrates or have acute or chronic liver disease.

Question 7

ketoconazole Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of ketoconazole:  Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Stomach pain Passing gas Dry mouth Tongue discoloration

Question 8

ketoconazole Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with ketoconazole. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Liver damage: nausea, vomiting, feeling tired, stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eye (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool Abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation): chest pounding, short of breath, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded Extremely low cortisol levels (adrenal insufficiency): feeling very weak or tired, dizziness, weight loss, no appetite Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on ketoconazole

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with ketoconazole:  ketoconazole is a substrate and potent inhibitor of CYP3A4. Therefore, the following drug interactions may occur when ketoconazole is co-administered with other drugs that interact with CYP3A4. Some examples include alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, simvastatin), cisapride, nisoldipine, dofetilide, pimozide, alfentanil, fentanyl, sulfentanil Indinavir, saquinavir, amlodipine, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, rifabutin, sildenafil, sirolimus (co-administration not recommended), and carbamazepine. See package insert for a full list of drug interactions

Question 10

Who makes ketoconazole?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is ketoconazole safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

ketoconazole hasn’t been well-studied in pregnant females. But animal studies suggest and reports show that it can cause harm to unborn babies. Speak with your healthcare provider right away if you find out you’re pregnant or you’re thinking of becoming pregnant while taking ketoconazole.

Question 12

What is the brand name for ketoconazole?

Accepted Answer

NIZORAL

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my ketoconazole prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your ketoconazole prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient ketoconazole savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient ketoconazole savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for ketoconazole	Canadian Prescription Savings* for ketoconazole	ketoconazole Drug Coupon*	ketoconazole Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of ketoconazole?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for ketoconazole	Canadian Prescription Savings* for ketoconazole	ketoconazole Drug Coupon*	ketoconazole Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the ketoconazole savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the ketoconazole drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for ketoconazole, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the ketoconazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, ketoconazole is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed ketoconazole for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the ketoconazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the ketoconazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for ketoconazole

If you are having trouble paying for your ketoconazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for ketoconazole you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
ketoconazole is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers ketoconazole
If ketoconazole is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for ketoconazole

If you are having trouble paying for your ketoconazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for ketoconazole you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers ketoconazole
If ketoconazole is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for ketoconazole

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your ketoconazole treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for ketoconazole you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for ketoconazole
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.