How much is Levsin (hyoscyamine sulfate) without insurance?

Is Levsin covered by insurance? | How much does Levsin cost without insurance? | How to get Levsin without insurance

Levsin is a brand-name prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a broad range of urinary and gastrointestinal disorders, including peptic ulcers, intestinal spasms, bladder spasms, overactive bladder, infant colic, diarrhea due to dysentery, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Hyoscyamine, the active ingredient in Levsin, is an anticholinergic or antispasmodic drug that slows down smooth muscle contractions and blocks stomach acid secretion. Hyoscyamine side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, increased eye pressure, and allergic reactions. You may also not be able to sweat normally when taking this medication. Sweating is an important method of body temperature control. Because of its effects, people with glaucoma, severe ulcerative colitis, or myasthenia gravis cannot safely take hyoscyamine. Levsin can be prescribed as a tablet or orally disintegrating sublingual tablet (Levsin SL). Doses are variable, but each dose is usually taken every four hours. In terms of cost, Levsin is a brand-name drug, so the price is higher than the generic version. Still, there are many ways to reduce the cost.

What is the generic for Levsin?

Hyoscyamine sulfate is the generic version of Levsin. Generic Levsin can be purchased as an immediate-release tablet, extended-release tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, oral solution, or elixir. Generic hyoscyamine injections are also available.

Related: Are generic drugs as good as brand-name medicines?

Is Levsin covered by insurance?

Brand-name Levsin is unlikely to be covered by many health insurance plans. Still, generic hyoscyamine is usually covered, as are some branded generic forms such as Oscimin, Anaspaz, Symax, or Levbid. Branded generics are generic alternatives approved by the FDA like other generics, but the manufacturer brands it under a unique name. Plans that do cover Levsin typically place it in their highest copay tiers.

Medicare drug plans are a separate issue. Hyoscyamine is considered a risky drug for seniors, so many Medicare plans do not cover Levsin or generic hyoscyamine. If they do, your cost is determined by your plan structure and factors such as whether you have met a deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

How much does Levsin cost without insurance?

At the total retail price, 30, 0.125 mg Levsin tablets cost an average of $103, about $3.30 per tablet. The adult dosage is one to two tablets every four hours to a maximum of 12 tablets. A month’s worth of Levsin treatment could cost as much as $1,000. However, the duration of treatment will vary. For some indications, people only need a few tablets. For others, treatment may be more prolonged.

People prescribed Levsin will probably be given generic hyoscyamine tablets by the pharmacist. They’re half the cost of the brand-name version. Other hyoscyamine brands, including Anaspaz, Oscimin, and Hyosyne, may be lower-priced than Levsin or generic hyoscyamine. 

Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other treatment options, as well. The possibilities will depend on the condition being treated. These alternative medications may be as effective but will have different side effects and drug interactions. Before switching, ask the prescriber for medical advice about the pros and cons.

One alternative is to use a SingleCare prescription discount card when purchasing Levsin or any other prescription drug. The lowest SingleCare discount price for 30, 0.125 mg generic Levsin tablets is only $6. 

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 Levsin without insurance

As a brand-name medication, Levsin has a higher price than other commonly used drugs. Patient assistance programs can save money on brand-name prescription drugs, but not everyone will meet the often strict eligibility requirements. Fortunately, other possibilities exist, starting with a SingleCare prescription discount card. 

1. Use a SingleCare savings card

Uninsured or underinsured patients can immediately save money on a Levsin prescription using a free coupon from SingleCare. The lowest SingleCare savings price for 30, 0.125 mg tablets of generic Levsin is only $6. This represents a savings of about $100 off of brand-name Levsin. SingleCare discounts will vary by participating pharmacy, so visit the Levsin discount coupon page to browse available savings at local pharmacies. The FAQs section on this page has additional savings and drug information.

2. Switch to generic Levsin

30 0.125 mg tablets of hyoscyamine, the generic version of Levsin, costs only $45, almost $60 less than the equivalent Levsin prescription. A free coupon from SingleCare lowers that cost to only $6. Generic hyoscyamine is the same as Levsin in terms of effectiveness, side effects, and drug interactions. You can also ask the pharmacist about generic hyoscyamine brands. They may be lower in price than generic hyoscyamine tablets.

3. Look into Medicaid or Medicare Low Income Subsidy

You may qualify for Medicaid or Medicare Low Income Subsidy if resources or income are limited. The eligibility requirements and enrollment information can be found on any state’s Medicaid website or by calling a representative of the state’s Medicaid services. 

4. Explore community resources

Local public health clinics and 340B providers may be able to sell prescription drugs like Levsin at a steeply discounted price. For information about local resources, contact a local health department representative.