Key takeaways
Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome by mimicking dopamine in the brain.
The brand-name versions Requip and Requip XL have been discontinued, but the generic form of ropinirole remains widely available.
Without insurance, ropinirole costs around $81 for 30, 1 mg tablets, but prescription discount cards may help lower the price.
Ropinirole is a generic prescription medication approved to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. It belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists, which work by mimicking the action of dopamine in the brain. Ropinirole can be a key part of treatment that improves the overall quality of life for many people.
The average retail cost of ropinirole is $81 for 30, 1 mg tablets without insurance, although this price varies by location and pharmacy, and you may pay less with a prescription discount card or coupon.
Ropinirole brand name
Ropinirole is a generic medication that was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997. It’s manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies, including Zydus Lifesciences, Alembic Pharmaceuticals, and Accord Healthcare. It comes as a regular oral tablet or an extended-release tablet.
The original brand-name version of ropinirole was Requip, which was developed by GlaxoSmithKline. There was also an extended-release version called Requip XL. However, both brand-name versions have been discontinued in the United States since 2019. Although brand-name versions are no longer on the market, the generic versions remain widely available.
Generic medications like ropinirole contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and work the same way in the body. The FDA requires generics to be bioequivalent to the original brand-name drug, meaning they must deliver the same amount of active ingredients to the body at the same rate. Generics are typically more affordable than brand-name medications, which makes ropinirole a more cost-effective option for patients.
Is ropinirole covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover generic ropinirole. However, the cost of ropinirole with insurance will depend on your plan. Since it’s a cost-effective generic drug, many private insurance plans include ropinirole in their formularies or preferred medication lists.
Medicare coverage for ropinirole is usually provided through Medicare Part D prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription coverage. While this medication is generally covered, the specific tier level and associated costs can vary among different plans.
Other factors affecting your insurance coverage for ropinirole include your deductible, your progress toward the annual out-of-pocket maximum, and whether your plan requires prior authorization. Even with insurance coverage, you might have to pay a copay or coinsurance amount.
How much does ropinirole cost without insurance?
The retail price of ropinirole without insurance depends on the dosage prescribed and the pharmacy you choose. For a supply of 30 tablets of 1 mg ropinirole, you can expect to pay an average cost of around $81.
With an average monthly cost of $81, the cost for a 1 mg tablet of ropinirole is about $2.70. After a year, that averages about $972. However, those on a lower dosage strength of ropinirole might pay less. In general, higher strengths and larger quantities cost more.
A pharmacy discount card may help reduce the cost when purchasing without insurance. These cards often provide set prices or substantial discounts off the regular retail price. With a SingleCare prescription discount card or coupon, you could pay $6 for 30, 1 mg tablets, depending on your choice of pharmacy.
Compare ropinirole prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Ropinirole | $81 per 30, 1 mg tablets | $6 per 30, 1 mg tablets of generic ropinirole | See latest prices |
| Ropinirole ER | $92 per 30, 2 mg tablets | $25 per 30, 2 mg tablets of generic ropinirole ER | See latest prices |
| Pramipexole | $205 per 90, 0.5 mg tablets | $16 per 90, 0.5 mg tablets of generic pramipexole | See latest prices |
| Neupro (rotigotine) | $1035 per 1, 30 patch box | $800 per 1, 30 patch box | See latest prices |
| Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa) | $169 per 90, 25-100 mg tablets | $9 per 90, 25-100 mg tablets of generic carbidopa/levodopa | See latest prices |
| Neurontin (gabapentin) | $786 per 90, 300 mg capsules | $9 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic gabapentin | See latest prices |
| Azilect (rasagiline) | $1,235 per 30, 1 mg tablets | $36 per 30, 1 mg tablets of generic rasagiline | 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 ropinirole without insurance
Getting medications like ropinirole without insurance coverage can be challenging for some. For people with Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome, ropinirole is a necessary part of treatment to maintain their quality of life. Programs that offer discounts through manufacturer coupons and patient assistance may be available, but not everyone qualifies for these options. Fortunately, several savings options exist that may help reduce your costs.
Use a SingleCare discount card
SingleCare offers a discount card to help people save money on many prescription medications, including ropinirole. With this card, the price of medications can drop significantly. For example, a prescription for 30 extended-release ropinirole tablets costing $92 could be reduced to just $25. You can use the SingleCare card by presenting it at a participating pharmacy when filling your prescription. This card can save you up to 80% on both brand-name and generic medications at thousands of pharmacies across the U.S.
Compare prices at different pharmacies
Prices for ropinirole can vary greatly from one pharmacy to another. For example, some pharmacies might offer a supply of 30 tablets of the 1 mg strength for around $81, while others might charge a higher or lower price. By taking the time to explore and compare prices at different pharmacies, you may be able to find much better deals on your medications. Always check multiple pharmacies to ensure you’re getting the lowest price for your prescription. You can do this by using the SingleCare website or app.
Seek medical advice for potential alternatives
It could be a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider about other options that might be more affordable without compromising effectiveness. You can ask your healthcare provider about potential ropinirole alternatives, such as carbidopa/levodopa, that could work just as well as ropinirole but cost less. Healthcare professionals can offer medical advice and recommend different treatments or dosages that provide similar benefits at a lower price.
Try a generic of another medication
Switching to a generic version of a similar medication could help you save more money. Generic medications work nearly the same way as their brand-name versions but are usually much cheaper. With a generic alternative, you can still get the treatment you need without paying the higher prices often associated with branded drugs. If you want to save on your prescriptions, consider asking your healthcare provider about available generic versions of other medications.
Always consult a healthcare provider before making any medication changes, especially if cost is a concern. A healthcare provider can help you explore different options, change the dosage if needed, or look for programs that assist patients with costs.
- Requip highlights of prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2021)
- GSK to discontinue RLS treatment ropinirole, maintain extended release tablets, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2019)