Pyrazinamide cost?

What’s the cost of a single Pyrazinamide tablet?
Generic 150‑mg tablets usually run under $0.10 each in the United States. A standard 300‑mg dose is made by splitting two tablets, so the daily cost is roughly $0.20.

How does that fit into a full TB treatment plan?
A typical regimen for drug‑sensitive TB is 2 months of four drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) followed by 4 months of two drugs. With Pyrazinamide costing about $0.20 per day, the first two months add roughly $12 to the total cost, a small fraction of the overall therapy.

Is the price consistent across the U.S. and abroad?
Because Pyrazinamide is off‑patent, most manufacturers sell it at comparable low prices worldwide. In low‑income countries, national procurement often drives the price to less than $0.05 per tablet. In higher‑income regions, the price can rise to $0.25–$0.30 per tablet, but remains inexpensive relative to other TB drugs.

Does insurance change the out‑of‑pocket cost?
Most commercial plans cover generic TB drugs fully or at a minimal copay. Medicare and Medicaid also cover them, often with no copay for patients who meet eligibility criteria.

Are there patient‑assistance programs?
Several NGOs and pharmaceutical companies offer free or discounted TB medication bundles that include Pyrazinamide. Patients can apply through national health ministries or international TB programs.

Can you buy in bulk to reduce cost further?
Yes. Bulk purchases (e.g., a 30‑day supply of 300‑mg tablets) can be sourced from wholesale distributors for a few dollars, lowering the cost to under $0.10 per tablet.

Do patents affect the price?
The original patent expired in the early 1990s, so no brand‑name monopoly exists. Generic manufacturers compete, keeping the price low.

How does Pyrazinamide compare with other first‑line TB drugs?
Isoniazid and rifampin cost about $0.25–$0.35 per tablet; ethambutol is similar. Pyrazinamide is the cheapest of the four.

What about safety or side‑effect costs?
Adverse events like hepatotoxicity require monitoring and sometimes additional medication. However, these costs are usually covered by the same health plans that cover TB therapy, and the drug’s low price means its potential side‑effect cost is marginal.

Can you get Pyrazinamide in the U.S. without prescription?
No. It requires a prescription from a licensed clinician because it is a controlled‑release, potent antimicrobial agent.

Is there a risk of shortages?
Occasional supply disruptions can occur, but national TB programs maintain stockpiles. The low cost and broad generic availability usually keep the drug accessible.

What if I need a higher dose (e.g., for severe TB)?
Higher doses (up to 1500 mg/day) are still inexpensive because the price scales linearly with tablet count.

Where can I find the most up‑to‑date pricing?
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s generic drug database and DrugPatentWatch list current manufacturers and pricing ranges.

Sources
1. DrugPatentWatch – generic pricing for Pyrazinamide.
2. Drugs.com – dosage and cost information for Pyrazinamide.
3. WHO Global TB Report – cost comparisons across countries.