Skip to main content
Drug Info

How much is Paxlovid without insurance?

Paxlovid costs $400 per day without insurance. Learn how to get Paxlovid at a lower price or find cheaper alternatives.
By | Apr. 15, 2025

Key takeaways

  • Paxlovid is a prescription antiviral treatment for mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19. It is indicated for individuals within the first five days of symptom onset and at high risk for progression to severe disease.

  • A five-day treatment course of Paxlovid, using a 30-tablet therapy pack, can cost $2000 without insurance.

  • Alternative treatment options for Paxlovid’s specific indications are limited and also pricey.

  • Despite its brand-name status, Paxlovid may be covered by some insurance plans, but copays can still be substantial.

  • Using a SingleCare discount card may provide a 25% savings off the retail price of Paxlovid without insurance.

In this article:

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) is the preferred prescription treatment for mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 infection in patients at high risk of progression to severe illness. In other words, it is the go-to drug for COVID-19 when someone has risk factors for hospitalization or death from the virus. The tablet combines the antiviral nirmatrelvir with a metabolic inhibitor, ritonavir, to boost nirmatrelvir levels. There are some downsides to Paxlovid, namely drug interactions and a high price point, which can be over $2000 for 1, 30-tablet therapy pack. Here, we will examine that price tag closer and review options for savings.

Related: What is Paxlovid?

How much does Paxlovid cost without insurance?

Paying $2000 for a single 30-tablet therapy pack is a staggering amount, more so when considering it is only taken for 5 days. Without insurance, Paxlovid’s retail price amounts to $400 per day. From pharmacy to pharmacy, the cost can certainly vary, but the dosage does not impact the expense significantly.

Having health insurance could change the out-of-pocket cost. If Paxlovid is on the drug formulary, which is not guaranteed, the price could be brought down to your copay amount. Copays for brand-name drugs like Paxlovid can still be steep.

How much does generic Paxlovid cost?

When looking for discounts compared to brand-name drug prices, generic alternatives are naturally the first place to look. Unfortunately, Paxlovid is still relatively new, being released in 2021. As a result, there is no generic version in the U.S. Two other COVID-19 antiviral medications are in use for mild-to-moderate disease and are worth a look.

Compare Paxlovid prices to related drugs
Drug name Price without insurance SingleCare price Savings options
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) $2000 per 1, 30-tablet therapy pack $1450 per 1, 30-tablet therapy pack of brand-name Paxlovid See latest prices
Veklury (remdesivir) $2560 per 4, 100 mg solutions $2490 per 4, 100 mg solutions of brand-name Veklury See latest prices
Lagevrio (molnupiravir) See updates here

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.

Paxlovid costs by dose

The quantity and dose strength of a drug often have a substantial impact on pricing. Surprisingly, in the case of Paxlovid, the cost does not change much when comparing the 20-tablet lower-dose therapy pack to the 30-tablet standard-dose therapy pack. The lower dosage is recommended for reduced kidney function, so your healthcare provider should help you determine your appropriate dosage.

Compare Paxlovid prices by strength
Strength SingleCare price of brand-name SingleCare price of generic
30 tablets of Paxlovid (20, 150 mg nirmatrelvir and 10, 100 mg ritonavir) $1450 for 1, 30-tablet therapy pack of Paxlovid No generic available
20 tablets of Paxlovid (10, 150 mg nirmatrelvir and 10, 100 mg ritonavir) $1450 for 1, 20-tablet therapy pack of Paxlovid No generic available
See our lowest price for Paxlovid without insurance

Is Paxlovid covered by insurance?

Coverage of Paxlovid by insurance plans is unpredictable and differs from one plan to another. The first step is determining whether it is on your plan’s drug formulary. For example, in 2025, Aetna’s Standard Plan and Humana’s Medicare Advantage Plan include Paxlovid in their formularies. If the drug is listed on your health plan’s drug formulary, the next step is to determine how much of a copay is required.

How to get Paxlovid covered by insurance

To optimize your chances of having Paxlovid covered by insurance, you will want to make sure your doctor provides a prescription and documents why it is prescribed in case prior authorization is required. The drug’s label states that it is indicated for COVID-19 treatment only and not prophylaxis against it. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label also stipulates that Paxlovid is indicated for use in individuals with COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of health conditions, such as obesity, that are considered risk factors.

How to get Paxlovid without insurance

Having COVID-19 can be frightening. If Paxlovid is recommended, starting it in a timely fashion is vital since therapy must begin within the first five days of COVID-19 symptoms. Despite the urgency and importance, drug expenses can still be an obstacle. There are ways to overcome this potential barrier. The PAXCESS patient assistance program from Pfizer may help those with private insurance, and Pfizer, along with the federal government’s patient assistance program, may help those with Medicare or Medicaid or those who are uninsured. However, eligibility guidelines must be met. The following savings opportunities are available for all.

1. SingleCare discount card

Getting a SingleCare discount card is free and easy. Simply take it to your pharmacy along with your Paxlovid prescription. Hand them to your pharmacist and see your savings. Patients may find the discounted price lower than their copay on some drugs.

2. SingleCare Paxlovid coupon

At over 35,000 participating pharmacies across the U.S., you can use a SingleCare Paxlovid coupon to save money. Drop off the coupon along with your prescription. With a coupon, the price can be as low as $1450 for a 30-tablet therapy pack to complete the 5-day treatment treatment course, compared to a $2000 retail price. The $500 savings means that every day of therapy costs $100 less.

3. Pharmacy savings

Take your prescription and SingleCare discount card or coupon, and shop around at different pharmacies for the best price. The discounted Paxlovid price can vary by $200 or more, ranging from $1450 to $1650 for a 30-tablet therapy pack. It pays to be a cost-conscious healthcare consumer. 

4. Alternative medications

As you have learned, there are not a lot of recommended alternatives to Paxlovid for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The other options are expensive as well. They may be necessary if Paxlovid is contraindicated due to a drug interaction or a side effect. Because Vekury is an intravenous medication given at a hospital or other medical setting, insurance coverage may be different. Lagevrio is an oral antiviral like Paxlovid, but it only has Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and no formal approval from the FDA. Check with your healthcare provider to learn about your options.