How much are antibiotics without insurance?

In this article:

• How much do antibiotics cost?
• Brand-name vs. generic antibiotics
• Compare prices of common antibiotics
• Are all antibiotics covered by insurance?

In this article

• How much do antibiotics cost?
• Brand-name vs. generic antibiotics
• Compare prices of common antibiotics
• Are all antibiotics covered by insurance?

Antibiotics are medications prescribed to help clear a bacterial infection. There are many different types of antibiotics. For example, penicillin and its related drugs are called beta-lactams. Healthcare providers choose a specific antibiotic based on the type of infection, the patient’s medical history, and any allergies the patient might have. Several factors affect how much antibiotics cost, including whether the drug is a brand name or generic, its dosage and quantity, and where it’s purchased. In this article, we’ll explore the typical cost of common antibiotics without insurance.

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How much do antibiotics cost?

The cost of antibiotics can vary widely depending on the dose, quantity, form, whether it’s a brand-name or generic drug, the pharmacy, and whether you use insurance or discounts. In general, generic antibiotics are significantly more affordable, sometimes up to 80%–90% less than their brand-name equivalents. Brand-name antibiotics can cost between $44 and $2,932 per prescription, while generics typically range from $22 to $192 per prescription without insurance.

Brand-name vs. generic antibiotics

Brand-name antibiotics are made by the pharmaceutical companies that originally developed them. Generic antibiotics contain the same active ingredients but are produced by different manufacturers. Both types of drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions, like bacterial infections. 

When choosing an antibiotic, healthcare providers may consider factors such as inactive ingredients (like dyes that could trigger allergies) or insurance coverage when deciding between a brand-name or generic option. In some cases, brand-name versions are discontinued, leaving only the generic available. For example, Keflex, a cephalosporin antibiotic, is now only available as its generic form, cephalexin.

While brand-name and generic medications may differ in what they look like and price, they are equally safe and effective. Martina Ambardjieva, MD, a urologist at Dr. Telx, explains how she answers her patients’ questions about generic versus brand-name medications: “I would reassure the patient that FDA-approved generic drugs are held to the same rigorous standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts.” 

Generic medications are approved by the FDA if they have the same: 

• Active ingredient
• Strength 
• Dosage form (e.g., tablet, capsule, or liquid)
• Route of administration (e.g., oral, topical, or injectable)

Generic antibiotics may not use all of the exact same ingredients as the original brand-name versions. Austin Shuxiao, MD, founder and medical director at PeachIV in New York City, explains: “In some instances, the inactive ingredients in brand-name and generic medications can differ, and can serve as a reason for choosing one over the other. If a person has an adverse reaction to a filler ingredient in a generic medication, they can try the brand-name medication that may not have the same filler.”

Still, healthcare providers say that one of the biggest factors in choosing between a brand-name or generic antibiotic is cost and insurance coverage. “For most people and most antibiotics, generic versions work just as well, at a much lower cost,” Dr. Ambardjieva says. “I usually don’t have a preference for the brand-name antibiotic unless the patient requests it. In these scenarios, I tell them that the generic is the same but cheaper, which will usually persuade them to switch to the generic formulation, though some may insist on using the brand name. Insurance coverage always plays a big part in my preference, since some insurances will not cover brand-name antibiotics,”  Dr. Shuxiao says.

The following tables compare the average out-of-pocket prices for each when purchased without insurance.

Compare prices of common antibiotics
Drug name	Price without insurance	SingleCare price	Savings options
Augmentin (amoxicillin-pot clavulanate)	$1,290 per 20, 875-125 mg tablets of brand-name Augmentin	$11 for 20, 875-125 mg tablets of generic amoxicillin-pot clavulanate	See latest prices
Amoxicillin	$20 for 21, 500 mg capsules of generic amoxicillin	$5 for 21, 500 mg capsules of generic amoxicillin	See latest prices
Zithromax (azithromycin)	$79 per 1 pack of 6, 250 mg tablets of brand-name Zithromax	$5 per 1 pack of 6, 250 mg tablets of generic azithromycin	See latest prices
Cipro (ciprofloxacin)	$111 per 14, 500 mg tablets of brand-name Cipro	$8 per 14, 500 mg tablets of generic ciprofloxacin	See latest prices
Doxycycline hyclate	$95 per 14, 100 mg capsules of generic doxycycline hyclate	$9 per 14, 100 mg capsules of generic doxycycline hyclate	See latest prices
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim)	$49 per 14, 800-160 mg tablets of brand-name Bactrim DS	$4 per 14, 800-160 mg tablets of generic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim	See latest prices

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

Are all antibiotics covered by insurance?

Most antibiotics are covered by insurance, including Medicare Part D and Medicaid, but coverage depends on the specific drug, its form, and your individual plan. For example, brand-name antibiotics may not be covered if a generic equivalent is available. Some plans may also limit coverage based on how the drug is administered. For example, oral antibiotics may be covered while intravenous (IV) forms used at home may not be.

Medicare Part D generally covers prescription antibiotics that are filled at a pharmacy, especially generics. Medicaid coverage varies by state, but most state Medicaid programs cover medically necessary antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. To confirm whether a specific antibiotic is covered, check your plan’s formulary (drug list) or speak with your insurance provider.

If you’re not using insurance benefits for your antibiotic prescription, there are other ways to save. A SingleCare Prescription Discount Card and the SingleCare app can help you save up to 80% off your brand-name or generic antibiotic prescription. It’s free to sign up for a discount card, and many major pharmacies accept it.