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Key takeaways
Relistor is a prescription drug that’s used to treat opioid-induced constipation in adults with certain medical conditions.
Relistor is only available as a brand-name drug, and there aren’t any over-the-counter alternatives available.
Fortunately, there are other ways to lower the cost of Relistor if you’re paying for it without insurance. These include using a SingleCare Relistor coupon, shopping around at different pharmacies, and considering a lower-cost alternative.
Relistor—also known as methylnaltrexone—is a brand-name prescription drug that is FDA-approved to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with certain medical conditions. It’s available in two forms: an oral tablet and a subcutaneous injection. Without insurance, the average cash price of Relistor is $191 for 1, 0.6 milliliter (mL) of 12 mg/0.6 mL vial. While no generic versions of Relistor are available, there are several ways to make a Relistor prescription less expensive.
What is the generic for Relistor?
Relistor is a brand-name prescription medication that comes in the form of an oral tablet and subcutaneous injection. It’s available with a prescription from a healthcare provider and only comes in a brand-name version at this time. The active ingredient in Relistor is methylnaltrexone, but it’s not available in a generic version.
Gemtesa was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008. Drug manufacturers usually have patent rights for up to 20 years, therefore, a generic version of the drug may be available in the near future.
Is Relistor covered by insurance?
Relistor may be covered by private insurance, but coverage may vary depending on the plan’s drug formulary and other eligibility requirements. For example, some health insurance plans may require that you use less expensive treatments for your condition before they cover Relistor. Other health plans may require prior authorization before Relistor is covered.
Medicare plans usually don’t cover Relistor. However, if it is covered, it would be covered by Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
How much does Relistor cost without insurance?
The cost of Relistor with insurance varies depending on several factors, including the pharmacy you purchase the drug from and the quantity or dosage prescribed. The average retail price of Relistor without insurance is $191 for 1 0.6 milliliter (mL) of 12 mg/0.6 mL vial. One vial provides one single dose. Therefore, at this cost, a 30-day supply of Relistor would cost over $5,500.
Having health insurance may bring down the price of Relistor, but out-of-pocket expenses can vary depending on the plan. The manufacturer of Relistor, Salix Pharmaceuticals, offers a patient copay card. However there are certain eligibility criteria you have to meet to use the discount card.
Relistor isn’t available as a generic drug, and there are no over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives. Fortunately, there are alternatives available for OIC—some of which cost less than Relistor. A healthcare professional can provide medical advice on which alternatives may be right for you.
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relistor | $191 per 1, 0.6 mL of 12 mg/0.6 mL vial | $169 per 1, 0.6 mL of 12 mg/0.6 mL vial of brand-name Relistor | See latest prices |
| Movantik | $248 per 14, 25 mg tablets | $178 per 14, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Movantik | See latest prices |
| Symproic | $613 per 30, 0.2 mg tablets | $435 per 30, 0.2 mg tablets of brand-name Symproic | See latest prices |
| Amitiza | $508 per 60, 24 mcg capsules | $36 per 60, 24 mcg capsules of generic Amitiza | See latest prices |
| Linzess | $732 per 1 bottle of 30 capsules | $495 per 1 bottle of 30 capsules of brand-name Linzess | See latest prices |
| Trulance | $825 per 1 bottle of 30 tablets | $479 per 1 bottle of 30 tablets of brand-name Trulance | 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.
How to get Relistor without insurance
Without insurance, a Relistor prescription can be costly. Luckily, there are ways to lower the price of the drug. While a manufacturer savings program is available, not everyone is eligible for the discount. Here are some more dependable ways to save money on Relistor:
1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card
A SingleCare prescription discount card can lower the cash price of Relistor from $191 to $168 for 1, 0.6 mL of 12 mg/0.6 mL vial. Signing up for the Relistor savings card is free, and it can be used at over 35,000 pharmacies nationwide.
2. Shop around at different pharmacies
The cost of Relistor without insurance can vary depending on the pharmacy. Compare the medication prices at your local retail, chain, independent, and mail-order pharmacies.
3. Consider lower-cost alternatives
There isn’t an OTC or generic alternatives for Relistor; however, several prescription alternatives are available. Some other options may cost less than Relistor, but it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional about which medications are best for you. They can discuss each alternative’s potential side effects, warnings, and drug interactions. Contact your pharmacist to compare the price of each drug.