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Is lamotrigine covered by insurance? | How much does lamotrigine cost without insurance? | How to get lamotrigine without insurance
Lamotrigine is a generic prescription anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures in people diagnosed with epilepsy or to stabilize mood in people diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Dosages will vary by health condition, kidney function, effectiveness, and whether other drugs are also being used to treat the same condition. Most people take one tablet once or twice a day in a dose ranging from 100 mg to 600 mg per day. As a generic drug, lamotrigine is moderately priced compared to brand-name alternatives. Purchasing a brand-name version—Lamictal, Lamictal CD, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal XR, or Subvenite—will cost more than generic lamotrigine.
RELATED: Lamotrigine side effects
Is lamotrigine covered by insurance?
Lamotrigine is typically covered by commercial health insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid for FDA-approved conditions.
How much does lamotrigine cost without insurance?
Without insurance coverage, expect to pay $86 for 30, 100 mg tablets, or about $3 per pill. This will cover a 30-day supply at the lowest dose (one 100 mg tablet per day), but many people are given a higher dose and take tablets twice a day. At the lowest dose, uninsured customers will pay more than $1,000 per year for generic lamotrigine. The monthly and annual costs for the uninsured, then, will vary.
Health insurance can make a difference. Many people with health insurance coverage will find a generic lamotrigine prescription covered as a lower-tier medication, which means it’ll have a lower copay than high-tier medications. However, some insurance companies may place some lamotrigine forms (such as chewable tablets) in a higher tier than other forms. For any particular individual, the actual out-of-pocket expense will depend on several variables: the lamotrigine form prescribed, the insurance plan’s formulary, your plan’s deductible, coinsurance, copay, and, for Medicare, your current coverage phase.
If a prescription for generic lamotrigine is too expensive, first ask the prescribing healthcare provider if there are alternative forms, such as tablets, that are cheaper. Both insured and uninsured patients can save money by purchasing the least expensive form.
Then, ask the healthcare professional about generic versions of other epilepsy or bipolar medications. Some may be less expensive than lamotrigine. For bipolar disorder, a mental health professional can prescribe other generic anticonvulsants as well as mood stabilizers, such as lithium or valproic acid. For seizure disorders, several generic anticonvulsants can be used instead of lamotrigine. Keep in mind, however, that lamotrigine helps control a wide spectrum of seizures, whereas some other anticonvulsants only prevent one or two specific types of seizures. Make sure to get medical advice about the alternatives before switching.
Over-the-counter drugs, natural remedies, and dietary supplements are not effective at preventing seizures or mood episodes.
Compare lamotrigine prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Lamictal (lamotrigine) | $710 per 30, 200 mg tablets | $6 per 30, 100 mg tablets of generic lamotrigine | See updated prices |
| Phenobarbital | $46 per 60, 16.2 mg tablets of generic phenobarbital | $7 per 60, 16.2 mg tablets of generic phenobarbital | See updated prices |
| Epitol (carbamazepine) | $71 per 60, 200 mg tablets | $11 per 60, 200 mg tablets of generic carbamazepine | See updated prices |
| Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) | $504 for 1, 250 mL bottle of 300 mg/5 mL oral suspension | $9 for 60, 300 mg tablets of generic oxcarbazepine | See updated prices |
| Dilantin (extended-release phenytoin sodium) | $222 per 90, 100 mg capsules | $5 per 90, 100 mg capsules of generic phenytoin sodium capsules | See updated prices |
| Topamax (topiramate) | $230 per 14, 50 mg tablets | $9 per 60, 25 mg tablets of generic topiramate | See updated prices |
| Neurontin (gabapentin) | $487 per 60, 300 mg capsules | $8 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic gabapentin | See updated prices |
| Depakote (divalproex sodium) | $510 per 60, 500 mg delayed-release tablets | $9 per 60, 500 mg tablets of generic divalproex | See updated prices |
| Mysoline (primidone) | $577 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $2 per 30, 50 mg tablets of generic primidone | See updated prices |
| Lithium carbonate | $19 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic lithium | $3 per 90, 300 mg capsules of generic lithium | See updated prices |
| Valproic acid | $58 for 1, 473 mL bottle of 250 mg/5 ml solution of generic valproic acid | $10 for 1, 473 mL bottle of 250 mg/5 ml solution of generic valproic acid | See updated prices |
| Seroquel (quetiapine) | $255 per 30, 100 mg tablets | $5 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic quetiapine | See updated prices |
| Zyprexa | $523 per 30, 5 mg tablets | $8 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic olanzapine | 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.
How to get lamotrigine without insurance
At even the lowest dose, it can be hard to pay the full cash price for lamotrigine month after month. People without insurance may be able to find a patient assistance program, savings program, manufacturer coupons, or manufacturer rebates, but these aren’t commonly offered for generic drugs and they often have strict eligibility criteria. There are, however, better and more enduring ways to significantly reduce the cost of lamotrigine. For example, many uninsured or underinsured people use a free SingleCare prescription savings card as a dependable prescription discount program.
1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card
Just by using a free coupon for lamotrigine, you can get your prescription for as little as $6. That will buy 30, 200 mg tablets, enough to last a month for most people taking lamotrigine. The actual discount will depend on the dose prescribed and the participating pharmacy where you fill your prescription.
2. Ask the healthcare provider for a different form
With some generic drugs like lamotrigine, the form prescribed could have a big impact on the price. This affects not only uninsured patients, but those with health insurance, too. The price could come down substantially if a different form is used. Tablets are typically the cheapest, whereas chewable or orally disintegrating tablets are often more expensive.
3. Shop pharmacies for the best price
Drug prices vary across pharmacies. You may find that your lamotrigine prescription is cheaper at one pharmacy compared to another. Rather than requesting your prescription at multiple pharmacies, you can use singlecare.com or our app to search for your prescription and enter your zip code. You’ll be able to compare discounts at pharmacies near you before you even leave the house.
4. Fill a 90-day prescription
Always compare prices for a 90-day fill versus the standard 30-day fill. Some pharmacies may charge less per tablet for a 90-day supply of lamotrigine.
5. Enroll in Medicaid
Not everyone will qualify for Medicaid, but it’s worth investigating if generic prescriptions are unaffordable. Eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and additional information can be found on each state’s Medicaid website.
6. Apply for Medicare Extra Help
Low-income Medicare consumers may qualify for the Extra Help program. This subsidy reduces Medicare Part D costs, including medication copays.
7. Fill the prescription at a local 340B provider
340B providers are clinics, hospitals, and public health organizations that can sell generic drugs like lamotrigine at a very low price. If a lamotrigine prescription is too expensive, ask the prescribing healthcare provider or local health officials for a list of 340B providers. However, there may be income eligibility requirements.
