Key takeaways
Brand-name Chantix is no longer available, but generic Chantix, varenicline tartrate, is still available to help people quit smoking.
Varenicline is a higher-priced generic drug, though most insurance plans cover it.
People can save money by using SingleCare coupons, comparing pharmacy prices, or finding state or community resources to help pay for smoking cessation treatment.
Although brand-name Chantix is no longer available, healthcare professionals can still prescribe the generic version, varenicline tartrate, to help people stop smoking. Generic varenicline works just like Chantix in decreasing nicotine withdrawal and cravings. The varenicline price, however, is markedly lower than the Chantix cost was. That’s the good news, but the cost of varenicline without insurance can still exceed $400 per month. However, people can save money with a SingleCare varenicline coupon or by shopping for the best pharmacy price.
RELATED: What are my options for OTC and prescription smoking cessation drugs?
How much does varenicline cost without insurance?
Without insurance coverage, the retail price of varenicline can be $640 for the 53-tablet starter pack that covers the first month. Continuation packs for the next two to five months can cost $400 per 56-tablet monthly pack. That puts the cost of a 90-day course of varenicline at about $1,400. If it is extended to six months, the total expense jumps to over $2,600. Healthcare providers and patients must work together to determine the optimal duration of varenicline therapy.
For insured patients, the initial 90 days of treatment may be free. According to the American Lung Association, the Affordable Care Act and other federal laws mandate most health insurance plans, Medicare plans, and Medicaid to cover some level of smoking cessation therapies.
After 90 days, the copay cost will vary by plan. If you have health insurance, the inclusion of the drug on your plan’s formulary is the first matter to investigate. If varenicline is on the formulary, you can check to see if it is a preferred drug, what tier it is on, and what copay is required to determine your monthly expense.
For example, the 2026 Aetna Standard Plan includes varenicline in the formulary and grants it copay-exception status, so some individuals may not have a copay. With a certain Humana Medicare drug plans in 2026, varenicline is listed on the formulary at a high copay tier, but your exact copay will depend on your specific plan.
How much does generic varenicline cost?
Varenicline’s retail price can be intimidating. To fully evaluate the drug’s cost, you will want to know whether discounts are available and what alternatives are available. Fortunately, discounts can be had, and nicotine replacement is still a viable option. In addition, bupropion SR is an available generic form of Zyban, a drug approved years ago for smoking cessation. Brand-name Zyban is no longer manufactured under that name, but Wellbutrin SR has the same active ingredient.
RELATED: Wellbutrin vs. Chantix: differences, similarities & which is better for you
Compare varenicline prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Varenicline tartrate starter pack | $640 per 1, 53-tablet starter pack of generic varenicline | $30 per 1, 53-tablet starter pack of generic varenicline at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
| Varenicline tartrate continuation pack | $400 per 1, 56-tablet continuation pack of generic varenicline | $29 per 1, 56-tablet continuation pack of generic varenicline at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
| Nicoderm CQ (nicotine transdermal patch) | $162 for 2 boxes with 14 daily-use patches | $33 for 2 boxes with 14 daily-use generic nicotine patches at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Nicotrol NS (nicotine nasal spray) | $712 for 4, 10 mg/mL 10 mL bottles | $532 for 4, 10 mg/mL 10 mL bottles of brand-name Nicotrol NS at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Nicorette (nicotine gum) | $79 per 1, 100-piece pack of gum | $22 per 1, 110-piece pack of generic nicotine gum at Publix | See latest prices |
| Wellbutrin SR (bupropion HCl ER (SR)) | $565 per 60, 150 mg tablets | $6 per 60, 150 mg tablets of generic Wellbutrin SR at Kroger | See latest prices |
Varenicline costs by dose
Varenicline tartrate no longer has a brand-name version. However, the tablets do have different dose strengths. On days one through three, patients take 0.5 mg of varenicline once daily. On days four through seven, they take 0.5 mg of varenicline twice daily. From day eight through the end of treatment, the dose of varenicline is 1 mg twice daily. Starter packs of varenicline lay out the initial dose titration in a convenient format, while the continuation packs are simply meant as a handy way to remember to take the 1 mg tablet twice daily. Pricing differs depending on how varenicline is packed.
Compare varenicline prices by strength |
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(per 53-60 tablets) |
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| Strength | SingleCare price of brand-name | SingleCare price of generic |
| Varenicline tartrate starter pack | Brand not available | $30 per 1, 53-tablet starter pack at CVS Pharmacy |
| Varenicline tartrate continuing pack | Brand not available | $29 per 1, 56-tablet continuing pack at CVS Pharmacy |
| 0.5 mg of varenicline tartrate | Brand not available | $29 per 60 tablets at CVS Pharmacy |
| 1 mg of varenicline tartrate | Brand not available | $42 per 60 tablets at Publix |
| See our lowest price for varenicline tartrate without insurance | ||
Is varenicline covered by insurance?
Insurance plans usually cover smoking cessation options, including varenicline. Medicare and Medicaid drug plans typically do as well. However, individuals must always check their plan’s drug formulary to determine if coverage is provided for varenicline.
How to get varenicline without insurance
Although varenicline is a generic drug, the retail price could still cause people without insurance coverage to hesitate about buying it. Ways to save money on the drug are worth exploring.
1. SingleCare varenicline coupon
A SingleCare prescription discount coupon for varenicline generates reliable savings month after month for smoking cessation drugs and many other prescription medications. Use our free varenicline coupons at thousands of participating pharmacies across the United States. Simply present the coupon when you drop off your prescription.
2. Pharmacy savings
Varenicline prices vary by pharmacy, and savings can be significant, especially with SingleCare discounts. The lowest SingleCare discounted price for 60, 1 mg tablets of varenicline is $42 at Publix. You can search for your varenicline prescription and enter your ZIP code on singlecare.com to find the pharmacy near you with the lowest price.
3. Use state and community resources
Many states offer free smoking cessation services. Though it varies by state, they can provide advice, coaching, and, in some cases, free or discounted smoking cessation medications. In some areas, community health centers can provide discounted smoking cessation medications. State quitlines are the first place to start. Calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW will connect you to your state’s quitline.
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The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jul. 2, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW: 15 years of helping people quit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019)
- Aetna Standard Plan, Aetna (2026)
- Humana Medicare drug list search, Humana (2026)
- Nicotrol nicotine spray prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Tobacco cessation treatment: What is covered, American Lung Association (2024)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.