Prescription assistance programs for common kidney medicines
Managing kidney disease often means taking several medicines to help control blood pressure, diabetes and other related conditions. This page lists prescription assistance programs (PAPs) and resources that may help lower medicine costs for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
This resource is for informational purposes only; always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medicines.
What are Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs)?
Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) help people afford their medicines by offering discounts or coupons for free or low-cost prescriptions. These programs are usually provided by drug companies, nonprofit organizations or foundations if you meet certain income or eligibility requirements. PAPs can be helpful if you are uninsured, underinsured, or have high out-of-pocket costs.
What's the difference between brand name vs generic medicines
Many medicines come in both brand-name and generic versions:
- Brand-name medicines are made and sold under a company name
- Generic medicines have the same active ingredients (the part of the medicine that makes it work) and work the same way but usually cost less.
A common example is Advil® (brand) and ibuprofen (generic). Both medicines contain the same active ingredient and work the same way, but they may still look different. This is because the inactive ingredients may vary between different manufacturers. Therefore, the pill's color, shape or size may change depending on who makes it.
Talk with your doctor about whether the brand-name or the generic version of your medicine is best for you.
Some generic medicines (like metformin which is used to treat type 2 diabetes) may not have a specific manufacturer assistance program.
You can use resources like GoodRxNeedyMeds, RxAssist, FindHelp and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance for discounts and savings on many different generic medicines.
How do I access prescription medicines?
If you have Medicare, prescription drugs are usually covered under Medicare Part D. This part of Medicare helps pay for prescription drugs, but you may have some out-of-pocket costs depending on your plan. Talk to your social worker or doctor about available programs. They can also help you with the application process.
The American Kidney Fund's need-based financial assistance programs help patients with health insurance premiums, transportation costs, prescription medications, and many other necessities related to health care.
How to read your prescription bottle
Your prescription label includes important information to help you safely take your medicine:
- Your full name and the medicine name (brand and/or generic)
- Instructions for use (how much to take and how often)
- Number of refills and expiration date
- Contact information of the pharmacy and the doctor who prescribed the medicine
If you’re unsure about what’s on your label or how to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain it.
Which kidney medicines have assistance programs?
This list includes examples of commonly used medicines and prescription assistance programs for people living with kidney disease. NOTE: This list may not include every medicine or assistance program available. Program details, eligibility and contact information may change over time.
This resource is for informational purposes only; always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medicines.
Anemia medicines
These medicines include Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) and intravenous (IV) iron infusions to help your body make more red blood cells and improve iron levels.
| Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) | ESA | Amgen SupportPlus |
Epogen® (epoetin alfa) | ESA | |
Ferrlecit® (sodium ferric gluconate complex) | IV Iron | |
Feraheme® (ferumoxytol) | IV Iron |
Bone and mineral balance medicines
Calcimimetics are medicines to help control parathyroid (PTH) levels in people with kidney disease to keep bones strong and control calcium levels.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Cinacalcet® (Sensipar) | calcimimetic | |
Parsabiv® (etelcalcetide) | calcimimetic |
High blood pressure (hypertension) and heart health medicines
These medicines include angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and diuretics (water pills) to help control blood pressure and swelling, and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) to reduce inflammation and scarring.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Eliquis® (apixaban) | Blood thinner | |
Entresto® (sacubitril/ valsartan) | ARB | |
Furoscix® (furosemide injection) | Diuretic | |
Kerendia® (finerenone | MRA | |
Lasix® (furosemide) | Diuretic | |
Lopressor® (metoprolol) | Beta-blocker |
Diabetes medicines
These medicines include glucagon-like petitde-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2) which can help control your blood sugar and blood glucose levels to protect your kidneys and heart.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Farxiga® (dapagliflozin) | SGLT-2 | |
Invokana® (canagliflozin) | SGLT-2 | |
Jardiance® (empagliflozin) | SGLT-2 | |
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) | GLP-1 | |
Ozempic® (semaglutide) | GLP-1 | |
Rybelsus® (semaglutide) | GLP-1 | |
Steglatro® (ertugliflozin) | SGLT-2 | |
Trulicity® (dulaglutide) | GLP-1 | |
Victoza® (liraglutide) | GLP-1 | |
Zepbound® (tirzepatide) | GLP-1 |
High Potassium (hyperkalemia) medicines
These potassium binders help remove extra potassium from your body.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Lokelma (Sodium Zirconium cyclosilicate) | Potassium Binder | |
Veltassa (patiromer) | Potassium Binder |
High Phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) medicines
These medicines are phosphate binders and absorption inhibitors which help remove extra phosphorus from your body.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Auryxia® (ferric citrate) | Phosphate Binder | |
Fosrenol® (lanthanum carbonate) | Phosphate Binder | |
Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate) | Phosphate Binder | |
Velphoro® (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) | Phosphate Binder | |
Xphozah® (tenapanor) | phosphate absorption inhibitor |
Transplant medicines
These medicines control the immune system and treat viral infections to help protect your new kidney and keep it healthy. These include immunosuppressants to help prevent transplant rejection and monoclonal antibodies to help your immune system fight infections and diseases.
Medicine | Type of medicine | Assistance Information |
Cellcept® (mycophenolate mofetil) | Immunosuppressant | |
Envarsus XR® (Tacrolimus extended release | Immunosuppressant | |
Gengraf® (cyclosporin) | Immunosuppressant | |
Myfortic® (mycophenolic acid) | Immunosuppressant | |
Neoral® (cyclosporin) | Immunosuppressant | |
Prograf® (tacrolimus) | Immunosuppressant | |
Rituxan® (Rituximab) | monoclonal antibody | |
Sandimmune® (cyclosporin) | Immunosuppressant | |
Valcyte® (valganciclovir hydochloride) | Antiviral | |
Zortress® (everolimus) | Immunosuppressant |
Other commonly used medicines
Medicine | Type of medicine | Use | Assistance Information |
Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) | adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): helps to reduce inflammation | inflammatory and autoimmune conditions | |
Cortrophin® (repository corticotropin injection USP) | ACTH | anti-inflammatory | |
Korsuva® (difelikefalin) | kappa opioid receptor (KOR): helps with pain relief | Treats pruritus (itchy skin) | |
Krystexxa® (pegloticase) | Antigout agent/PEGylated uric acid specific enzyme: lowers uric acid levels in body to treat gout | Gout infusion therapy |
This resource is for informational purposes only; always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medicines.