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Key takeaways
Without insurance, EpiPen costs about $812 for two autoinjectors. The typical full cash price for EpiPen Jr. is $785 for two pen injectors.
The generic version of the EpiPen costs about $750 without insurance.
Insurance plans may or may not cover EpiPen, but they usually cover generic versions of EpiPen.
A SingleCare prescription discount card can significantly reduce the cost of EpiPen or generic epinephrine auto-injectors, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.
Epinephrine pre-filled syringes offer a lower-priced option. The lowest available SingleCare discounted price is only $165 for two syringes.
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are brand-name epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) used in emergencies to control severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. An intramuscular epinephrine injection is the first-line emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. EpiPen can be easily carried and readily used during a crisis. People without insurance can expect to pay $812 for a carton containing two EpiPen injectors.
How much does EpiPen cost without insurance?
People without insurance will have to pay the full EpiPen price—$812—for an EpiPen two-pack carton. That’s $406 per auto-injector. It’s difficult to determine the monthly or yearly cash price of EpiPen treatment. EpiPen is only used in emergencies, so it’s uncertain how many EpiPens are needed for a month or a year. Predicting how many pens are needed for one emergency is also difficult. Individual allergy emergencies might require a single EpiPen injection, but others might require two or more injections.
People without insurance should ask the prescribing healthcare provider about generic epinephrine injections. Mylan and Teva Pharmaceuticals manufacture two authorized generic epinephrine auto-injectors at an average retail price of $750. A third, Symjepi from the Kaleo, is priced lower than the other two. Another brand, Adrenaclick, is no longer sold in the U.S.
People without insurance can use a SingleCare prescription discount card to enjoy significant discounts on either EpiPens or generic epinephrine auto-injectors. With a free coupon from SingleCare, two EpiPen or EpiPen Jr auto-injectors can be purchased for as low as $595. The lowest SingleCare discount price for two generic epinephrine auto-injectors is only $165.
Prefilled syringes cost less than auto-injectors. However, they are less easy to carry around and not as easy or ready to use as the pen injectors. Two prefilled syringes at a higher dosage strength than EpiPen (1 mg vs. 0.3 mg) can cost as little as $165 with a SingleCare discount.
How much does a generic EpiPen cost without insurance?
Generic epinephrine autoinjectors are available. One is marketed under the brand name Symjepi. Without insurance coverage, the average cost of a generic EpiPen is $750 for two autoinjectors containing 0.3 mg of epinephrine.
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| EpiPen | $812 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $165 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens of generic EpiPen | See latest prices |
| Generic EpiPen (epinephrine) | $750 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $165 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL of generic epinephrine auto-injector pens | See latest prices |
| Auvi-Q | $807 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $165 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens of generic Auvi-Q | See latest prices |
| Neffy
(epinephrine nasal spray) | $954 per 2, 2 mg single-dose nasal spray devices | $694 per 2, 2 mg single-dose nasal spray devices of brand-name Neffy | 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 “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.
RELATED: What you need to know about EpiPen alternatives
Is EpiPen covered by insurance?
Some health insurance plans cover EpiPen and EpiPen Jr, but other health plans don’t cover them. However, insurance plans almost universally cover generic epinephrine auto-injectors and prefilled syringes.
Medicare drug plans and Medicaid are less likely to cover brand-name EpiPens, but do cover generic epinephrine auto-injectors or prefilled syringes. People with military benefits (Tricare) or VA benefits are covered for generic EpiPens.
Insurance plans usually place EpiPen in their higher copay tiers. In addition to the copay, insurance providers may tack on extra charges for deductibles or coverage gap costs. Switching to a generic version may help if the out-of-pocket cost is challenging. Insurance companies usually place generic epinephrine autoinjectors in their lowest copay tier.
How to get EpiPen covered by insurance
Epinephrine injections are a life-saving emergency treatment, so nearly all insurance plans cover them. If a health insurance plan rejects an EpiPen prescription, it will probably pay for a generic epinephrine auto-injector. You may require a new prescription from the doctor.
If that is denied, check to make sure that you are eligible for epinephrine injections. The FDA has approved EpiPen and generic epinephrine auto-injectors for people at risk of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions, so check with the prescriber to make sure you qualify.
How to get EpiPen without insurance
Epinephrine injections are a life-saving medication for people with severe allergies. If the cost of EpiPen auto-injectors is unsustainable, then finding a way to save money is imperative. One alternative is to apply to the manufacturer’s (Viatris) patient assistance program, but not everyone can meet eligibility requirements. Viatris also offers an EpiPen Savings Card, but that only saves money for people with commercial insurance coverage. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to find discounts or savings. Start with a SingleCare prescription discount card.
1. Use a free coupon from SingleCare
The lowest price for a brand-name EpiPen 2-Pak using a SingleCare savings card is $595, about two-thirds of the average retail price. Discounts will vary by participating pharmacy, so browse current savings prices on SingleCare’s EpiPen 2-Pak coupons page and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak coupons page. Make sure to sign up with SingleCare’s free loyalty program to earn additional savings each time you use a SingleCare discount.
RELATED: Where can I use my SingleCare card?
2. Look for the lowest price
Another way to unlock savings is to compare pharmacy prices. Finding the lowest price for higher-priced drugs like EpiPen could save almost $300.
3. Ask for a generic epinephrine auto-injector prescription
Significant savings can be had by switching to a generic auto-injector and then using a SingleCare prescription discount card. The process may be somewhat involved, but the prescribing healthcare provider can help make sure you get the right generic.
4. Ask the prescriber about generic epinephrine prefilled syringes
You can save the most money by switching to a generic epinephrine prefilled syringe. With a SingleCare savings card, the lowest price for two prefilled syringes is $165. However, using those syringes is not as easy as using pen injectors. Many pharmacies do not have the availability to dispense epinephrine this way. Get medical advice from the prescriber before switching.
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- EpiPen/EpiPen Jr epinephrine injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Type I hypersensitivity reaction, StatPearls