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Key takeaways
Gabapentin is a commonly prescribed generic drug that treats partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia.
Most insurance companies cover gabapentin prescriptions for FDA-approved conditions.
Doctors commonly use it off-label for other problems, so people with insurance may be denied coverage in those cases.
Gabapentin costs about $152 monthly when not covered by health insurance.
Gabapentin is a generic prescription drug that is FDA approved to treat partial seizures and nerve pain due to shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Healthcare professionals often prescribe it off-label for different conditions including nerve pain, restless leg syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Although a brand-name version called Neurontin is available, most people will get generic gabapentin. Its price is typical of generic medications. A 30-day supply costs about $152, but there are ways to save money even without insurance.
RELATED: What is gabapentin?
How much does gabapentin cost without insurance?
At full cash price, a 30-day supply of 90, 300 mg gabapentin capsules averages $152, or about $1.69 per capsule. Dosage strength has little effect on the price, so expect to pay about this amount for any one-month prescription for generic gabapentin.
If paying for gabapentin is difficult, ask the prescribing healthcare provider about alternative prescription medications. Although gabapentin is a relatively low-cost medication, some alternatives may be less expensive. For partial seizures, other generic anticonvulsants that cost as much or less than gabapentin include carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenobarbital. Healthcare professionals often use other drugs off-label to treat nerve pain, including generic anticonvulsants (such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate), antidepressants, or opioids.
Compare gabapentin prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Gabapentin | $152 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic gabapentin | $9 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic gabapentin | See latest prices |
| Neurontin (gabapentin) | $782 per 90, 300 mg capsules | $651 per 90, 300 mg capsules of brand-name Neurontin | See latest prices |
| Gralise (gabapentin) | $415 per 30, 300 mg tablets | $57 per 30, 300 mg tablets of brand-name Gralise | See latest prices |
| Lyrica (pregabalin) | $699 per 60, 75 mg capsules | $11 per 60, 75 mg capsules of generic pregabalin | See latest prices |
| Phenobarbital | $58 per 60, 64.8 mg tablets | $21 per 60, 64.8 mg tablets for generic phenobarbital | See latest prices |
| Epitol (carbamazepine) | $72 per 60, 200 mg tablets | $16 per 60, 200 mg tablets for generic carbamazepine | See latest prices |
| Topamax (topiramate) | $520 per 60 25 mg tablets | $6 per 60 25 mg tablets for generic topiramate | See updated prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
RELATED: Gabapentin alternatives: What can I take instead of gabapentin?
Gabapentin costs by dose
Gabapentin prices do not vary much based on dosage strength, but the quantity purchased will affect prices proportionately. SingleCare’s discounted price is about the same no matter what dosage strength is prescribed.
Compare gabapentin prices by strength |
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|---|---|
| Strength | SingleCare price of generic |
| 100 mg of gabapentin | $7 for 90, 100 mg capsules of generic gabapentin |
| 300 mg of gabapentin | $9 for 90, 300 mg capsules of generic gabapentin |
| 400 mg of gabapentin | $7 for 90, 400 mg capsules of generic gabapentin |
| 600 mg of gabapentin | $12 for 90, 600 mg tablets of generic gabapentin |
| 800 mg of gabapentin | $10 for 90, 600 mg tablets of generic gabapentin |
| See our lowest price for gabapentin without insurance | |
Is gabapentin covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid drug plans, cover gabapentin prescriptions. Although affordable with insurance coverage, gabapentin is quite often prescribed off-label for conditions not approved by the FDA. In those cases, insurance companies may refuse to cover the prescription or require prior authorization.
How to get gabapentin covered by insurance
Gabapentin prescriptions are usually denied because it’s being prescribed off-label for a non-FDA-approved medical problem. The first step is to check the drug’s prescribing information. Read the Indications section. If your condition is not on the list, you and the prescriber can request a formulary exception. There is a possibility the company will grant the exception. But first, the prescriber must submit paperwork proving the drug is needed and that other drugs won’t work. Start the process by talking to the doctor or a representative of the insurance provider.
How to get gabapentin without insurance
The cost of gabapentin is relatively manageable even for people without health insurance coverage. Over time, however, the cost of using this medication could add up. As a generic, there are no manufacturer coupons or patient assistance programs that can help uninsured patients. However, there are more surefire options for cutting the price of gabapentin to only a few dollars per month.
1. Use a SingleCare prescription savings card
With a SingleCare discount card, the lowest price for a gabapentin 30-day prescription is only $7 to $12 depending on the dosage strength. Start by going to the gabapentin discount coupon page to choose a free coupon based on price or local pharmacy. Sign up for SingleCare’s loyalty program to earn bonus savings every time you use your membership to save on medications.
2. Get a 90-day prescription
With some generic drugs like gabapentin, a 90-day prescription can often be purchased at a significant discount. Combined with a SingleCare savings card, the discount price of a 90-day supply of gabapentin can be as little as $18 at participating pharmacies—less than $4 per month.
3. Shop pharmacies for the best price
Price-shopping always pays off when buying prescription medications. While the discount may not be too great for lower-priced drugs like gabapentin, the savings do accumulate over time. Start by looking comparing local pharmacy prices.
4. Talk to a local health department
There are a surprising number of resources available in the community including community health clinics and insurance resources. Low-cost generic drugs like gabapentin could be supplied by any of these clinics for free or for only a few dollars. Your county or city’s health department can provide additional information about local community health clinics and other helpful resources.
5. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about alternative generic treatments
If gabapentin is still too difficult to afford through other means, ask the prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice concerning alternative generic medications. Some of them have a lower retail price than gabapentin, but may not be as effective or tolerable. You can also ask about over-the-counter alternatives for neuropathic pain, but these drugs will probably be less effective than prescription gabapentin.
Gabapentin capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)