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Is phenazopyridine HCl covered by insurance? | How much does phenazopyridine HCl cost without insurance? | How to get phenazopyridine HCl without insurance
Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is a low-priced generic analgesic that relieves pain or burning when urinating. People can purchase over-the-counter phenazopyridine, or a healthcare provider can prescribe a higher-strength prescription version. As a pain reliever, phenazopyridine does not cure the underlying cause of the pain, which is usually a urinary tract infection (UTI) but could also be due to injury, surgery, or cystitis. Phenazopyridine works like a topical anesthetic. The body secretes it into the urine. When it comes in contact with the surfaces of the bladder and urethra, it dulls any pain or burning.
What is the brand name for phenazopyridine HCl?
Pyridium is the brand-name version of prescription phenazopyridine. It costs more than the generic version, but not by much. Consumers may know the drug by its over-the-counter brand name, AZO. There are several AZO products containing phenazopyridine, including AZO Standard and AZO Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength. Generic over-the-counter phenazopyridine is usually labeled “Urinary Pain Relief” and costs less than the brand-name versions.
Before purchasing a urinary pain relief product, look carefully at the active ingredients. Some generic drugs labeled as urinary pain relief contain sodium salicylate for pain relief and methenamine to suppress bacterial infections. Some contain cranberry extract. These drugs are not the same as phenazopyridine.
Is phenazopyridine HCl covered by insurance?
Phenazopyridine is usually covered by private and employer-based health insurance, but coverage may vary. Check the insurance plan’s formulary under “Miscellaneous.” Insurance plans that do cover phenazopyridine usually place it in their lowest copay tier, so the out-of-pocket cost should be low.
Phenazopyridine is much less likely to be covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Examples of Medicare and Medicaid formularies that do not cover phenazopyridine include Humana, Blue Cross, and HealthNet.
Both TRICARE and the VA cover phenazopyridine.
How much does phenazopyridine HCl cost without insurance?
Without health insurance, the cash price of 6, 200 mg tablets of prescription phenazopyridine is about $37. Six oral tablets are enough to last two days, the standard treatment duration of prescription phenazopyridine treatment.
There are also other over-the-counter pain relievers, including NSAIDs and acetaminophen. The active ingredient in some urinary pain relief products is sodium salicylate, a drug related to aspirin and ibuprofen. These pain relievers will have different drug interactions, side effects, and allergic reactions. Be cautious about treating any UTI or other bacterial infection at home. Only prescription antibiotics can cure a UTI, so visit a healthcare provider if you have new or worsening urinary symptoms.
The cheapest option may be to use a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare price for a two-day supply of prescription phenazopyridine is only $2. Over-the-counter AZO Urinary Pain Relief can be purchased for less than $1 at some SingleCare participating pharmacies.
Compare Pyridium (phenazopyridine HCl) prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Phenazopyridine HCl | $37 per 6, 200 mg tablets of generic phenazopyridine HCl | $2 per 6, 200 mg tablets of generic phenazopyridine HCl | See latest prices |
| Pyridium
(phenazopyridine HCl) |
$50 per 6, 200 mg tablets | $2 per 6, 200 mg tablets of generic Pyridium | See latest prices |
| Elmiron | $1,200 per 90, 100 mg capsules | $983 per 90, 100 mg capsules of brand-name Elmiron | See latest prices |
| Uribel | $134 per 30, 118 mg capsules | $41 per 30, 118 mg capsules of brand-name Uribel | See latest prices |
| Oxybutynin | $44 per 60, 5 mg tablets of generic oxybutynin | $4 per 60, 5 mg tablets of generic oxybutynin | See latest prices |
| Flavoxate | $51 per 30, 100 mg tablets of generic flavoxate | $14 per 30, 100 mg tablets of generic flavoxate | See latest prices |
| Cystex UTI Pain relief OTC | $31 per bottle of 40 tablets | Less than $7 per bottle of 40 tablets of brand-name Cystex UTI Pain relief OTC | See latest 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 (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get phenazopyridine HCl without insurance
For uninsured people, filling a prescription for phenazopyridine may not be as burdensome as buying other prescription medications. Phenazopyridine is low-priced and usually prescribed for only two days rather than month after month. Still, when added to all the other expenses for a urinary tract problem—office visits, tests, antibiotics—$37 for phenazopyridine can be a lot. Several tips can help reduce that cost.
1. Use a SingleCare prescription savings card
The lowest SingleCare price for a two-day supply of phenazopyridine is less than two dollars. Discount prices for phenazopyridine will vary by participating pharmacy. However, you can find discounts for prescription phenazopyridine at local pharmacies on SingleCare’s phenazopyridine coupons page. Continue to the FAQs section on this page to find more savings and drug information.
2. Find the lowest price
The highest pharmacy price for a two-day supply of phenazopyridine is $37. The lowest is $14, a savings of $33.
3. Ask a healthcare professional about over-the-counter phenazopyridine
The phenazopyridine in over-the-counter urinary pain relief products is the same drug as prescription phenazopyridine. The dosage strength is lower, but two oral tablets do equal the highest dose prescribed. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice about switching to the lower-cost generic version. Two days of phenazopyridine treatment could cost as little as $6 at full retail price, and less than $1 using a free coupon from SingleCare.
