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Key takeaways
Prednisone is an affordable generic oral corticosteroid for inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and cancer.
Nearly all health insurance plans cover prednisone, usually with a low copay.
A free SingleCare coupon, price comparisons, and community resources can help lower the cost.
Prednisone is a generic prescription oral corticosteroid (a type of anti-inflammatory steroid) used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. At low doses, it helps reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness. At higher doses, it is used to treat cancer symptoms or autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and psoriasis. Prednisone is comparatively inexpensive and is usually taken for only a few days. Even without insurance, the cost can be reduced to just a few cents per day.
RELATED: Discount prescriptions with SingleCare
Is prednisone covered by insurance?
Prednisone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. People with health insurance, including Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid, should expect their prescription to be covered for FDA-approved conditions.
Both prednisone and prednisone intensol (a liquid form of prednisone) are usually designated Tier 1 drugs in insurance formularies, meaning they carry the lowest copay. The actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on other plan factors, including deductibles, coinsurance, and, for people on Medicare Part D, the current coverage phase (the stage of the year that determines how much you pay for prescriptions).
RELATED: What drugs are covered by Medicare?
How much does prednisone cost without insurance?
On average, prednisone without insurance costs $16 for 10, 20 mg tablets, or about $1.50 per tablet. Treatment typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 10 days, though some people may take it longer or indefinitely. Healthcare professionals generally caution against long-term use due to potentially serious side effects, including weight gain, osteoporosis, heart disease, and infections.
Because prednisone is relatively affordable, people who stop taking it typically do so because of completion of the prescribed course or adverse effects, rather than cost.
Over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies can provide some symptomatic relief for swelling, pain, stiffness, and allergic reactions, but none are as effective as prescription corticosteroids for severe conditions or diseases such as cancer. Prednisone may be included as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of leukemia or lymphoma. Always consult a healthcare provider before switching to an alternative.
Compare prednisone prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Prednisone | $16 per 10, 20 mg tablets (10 days) | $4 per 10, 20 mg tablets (10 days) of generic prednisone at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Prednisone intensol (prednisone oral solution) | $191 for 1, 30 mL bottle of 5 mg/mL oral solution | $129 for 1, 30 mL bottle of 5 mg/mL oral solution of generic prednisone intensol at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Orapred ODT (prednisolone sodium phosphate) | $84 per 3, 10 mg dissolving tablets | $40 per 3, 10 mg dissolving tablets of generic Orapred ODT at Walgreens | See latest prices |
| Medrol (methylprednisolone) | $49 for 1 therapy pack with 21 tablets | $9 for 1 therapy pack with 21 tablets of generic Medrol at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Cortef (hydrocortisone) | $211 per 90, 10 mg tablets | $25 per 90, 10 mg tablets of generic Cortef at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
How to get prednisone without insurance
Even without insurance, prednisone is one of the most affordable generic medications available. That said, there are still ways to reduce the cost further. Manufacturer patient assistance programs are rarely offered for low-priced generics like prednisone, but a free SingleCare prescription discount card can help lower the price at most major pharmacies.
1. Use a free coupon from SingleCare
A free SingleCare prescription discount card can reduce the cost of prednisone to as little as $4 for 10, 20 mg tablets at Walmart. See the table above for the latest prices by pharmacy. Signing up gives you access to a loyalty program that unlocks additional savings on future purchases and refills.
Save up to 80% on Prednisone with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
2. Compare pharmacy prices
Even inexpensive medications can vary significantly in price from pharmacy to pharmacy. You can compare prices at pharmacies near you by searching for your prescription on SingleCare and entering your ZIP code.
3. Use community health resources
Some clinics, hospitals, and community health centers may be able to fill a prednisone prescription for only a few dollars. Contact your local or county health department for a list of available community resources and programs in your area.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of May. 5, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- 10 most common steroid medications by prescription volume, Definitive Healthcare (2023)
- Prednisone tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
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