gvic
TUG Member
10 Most Expensive Generic Drugs in the US
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Drug Cash Price
sildenafil $279
duloxetine $188
oseltamivir $133
omeprazole $132
atorvastatin $121
clopidogrel $114
montelukast $106
escitalopram $104
bupropion xl $102
tamsulosin $86
1) Sildenafil
Topping the chart, with 30-day prices averaging $279, is sildenafil, the generic version of two different drugs on the market right now — Revatio and Viagra. Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, and Viagra is prescribed for erectile dysfunction in men. Unfortunately, there is a big price difference depending on the strength of sildenafil you are filling. Sildenafil at 20 mg (the equivalent to Revatio) can be very affordable, while sildenafil at 100 mg (the equivalent to Viagra) is expensive with just one tablet averaging around $30.
2) Duloxetine
Topping the chart, with 30-day prices reaching well beyond $180, is duloxetine(Cymbalta). Used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and nerve pain associated with diabetes, duloxetine is covered by most commercial insurance plans — about 95% in fact. But for those of you who might lack coverage for it, shelling out over $150 per month can be too much.
3) Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is an expensive flu medication — one course of the drug costs around $133. If taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, oseltamivir can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 1.3 days. Oseltamivir is not usually covered by insurance plans, but when it is, it is still placed in higher tiers and you will likely be on the hook for a fairly high co-pay.
4) Omeprazole
Omeprazole is used to treat acid reflux or GERD, and comes in over-the-counter (Prilosec) and prescription-strength forms. While prescription-strength omeprazole is covered by most commercial insurance plans, a one-month prescription can cost patients $132 without insurance.
5) Atorvastatin
Used to treat high cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart attack or stroke, atorvastatin (Lipitor) is currently the most popular drug in America. It’s not surprising then that it’s covered by most insurers. Cash prices are still expensive though — even after prices declined by about 3% over the past five years, a monthly supply still costs around $121.
6) Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a popular antiplatelet drug, but it can break the bank. While it is covered by 97% of commercial insurance plans, the cash price for a 30-day supply is around $114. What’s more, patients are typically on clopidogrel for some time — up to 18 months in some cases.
7) Montelukast
Montelukast (Singulair) is a popular medication used to prevent and treat asthma and allergies, but it’s pretty expensive — the cash price for a month’s supply is around $106. People tend to take montelukast for many years, so it’s fortunate that the drug is covered by many commercial insurance plans.
8) Escitalopram
Another antidepressant, escitalopram (Lexapro), carries a cash price of $104 for a 30-day supply. While escitalopram is covered by most insurance plans, some plans have quantity limits and will only cover a certain amount of the drug every month. If you still can’t afford it, talk with your doctor about some alternatives that may be cost effective for you.
9) Bupropion XL
Bupropion XL is the generic version of Wellbutrin XL and is used to treat depression. It can cost as much as $102 for a 30-day supply. There is good news though: bupropion is covered by nearly 99% of plans, so there’s a good chance you won’t be paying out of pocket. But if you are, there are ways to save.
10) Tamsulosin
Last, but certainly not least, is tamsulosin (Flomax), a popular drug used to treat enlarged prostates in men. Tamsulosin is covered by most insurance plans, but out-of-pocket, it could cost around $86 for a 30-day supply.
Source: GoodRX
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Drug Cash Price
sildenafil $279
duloxetine $188
oseltamivir $133
omeprazole $132
atorvastatin $121
clopidogrel $114
montelukast $106
escitalopram $104
bupropion xl $102
tamsulosin $86
1) Sildenafil
Topping the chart, with 30-day prices averaging $279, is sildenafil, the generic version of two different drugs on the market right now — Revatio and Viagra. Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, and Viagra is prescribed for erectile dysfunction in men. Unfortunately, there is a big price difference depending on the strength of sildenafil you are filling. Sildenafil at 20 mg (the equivalent to Revatio) can be very affordable, while sildenafil at 100 mg (the equivalent to Viagra) is expensive with just one tablet averaging around $30.
2) Duloxetine
Topping the chart, with 30-day prices reaching well beyond $180, is duloxetine(Cymbalta). Used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and nerve pain associated with diabetes, duloxetine is covered by most commercial insurance plans — about 95% in fact. But for those of you who might lack coverage for it, shelling out over $150 per month can be too much.
3) Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is an expensive flu medication — one course of the drug costs around $133. If taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, oseltamivir can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 1.3 days. Oseltamivir is not usually covered by insurance plans, but when it is, it is still placed in higher tiers and you will likely be on the hook for a fairly high co-pay.
4) Omeprazole
Omeprazole is used to treat acid reflux or GERD, and comes in over-the-counter (Prilosec) and prescription-strength forms. While prescription-strength omeprazole is covered by most commercial insurance plans, a one-month prescription can cost patients $132 without insurance.
5) Atorvastatin
Used to treat high cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart attack or stroke, atorvastatin (Lipitor) is currently the most popular drug in America. It’s not surprising then that it’s covered by most insurers. Cash prices are still expensive though — even after prices declined by about 3% over the past five years, a monthly supply still costs around $121.
6) Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a popular antiplatelet drug, but it can break the bank. While it is covered by 97% of commercial insurance plans, the cash price for a 30-day supply is around $114. What’s more, patients are typically on clopidogrel for some time — up to 18 months in some cases.
7) Montelukast
Montelukast (Singulair) is a popular medication used to prevent and treat asthma and allergies, but it’s pretty expensive — the cash price for a month’s supply is around $106. People tend to take montelukast for many years, so it’s fortunate that the drug is covered by many commercial insurance plans.
8) Escitalopram
Another antidepressant, escitalopram (Lexapro), carries a cash price of $104 for a 30-day supply. While escitalopram is covered by most insurance plans, some plans have quantity limits and will only cover a certain amount of the drug every month. If you still can’t afford it, talk with your doctor about some alternatives that may be cost effective for you.
9) Bupropion XL
Bupropion XL is the generic version of Wellbutrin XL and is used to treat depression. It can cost as much as $102 for a 30-day supply. There is good news though: bupropion is covered by nearly 99% of plans, so there’s a good chance you won’t be paying out of pocket. But if you are, there are ways to save.
10) Tamsulosin
Last, but certainly not least, is tamsulosin (Flomax), a popular drug used to treat enlarged prostates in men. Tamsulosin is covered by most insurance plans, but out-of-pocket, it could cost around $86 for a 30-day supply.
Source: GoodRX