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Is sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim covered by insurance? | How much does sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim cost without insurance? | How to get sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim without insurance
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is a combination antibiotic commonly used to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs). Other bacterial infections that may be treated with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim include ear infections, intestinal infections, antibiotic-resistant (MRSA) skin infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumocystis, prostatitis, and Shigellosis. Both components of this medication are antibacterial in their action. They work together to prevent bacteria colonies from growing. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is a lower-priced prescription antibiotic, typically costing about $24 for a 10-day or 5-day supply of tablets depending on the dosage.
What is the brand name for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim?
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is better known by its brand name, Bactrim. Don’t be surprised if a healthcare professional writes out a Bactrim prescription. The pharmacist will probably fill it with the generic version. People can no longer purchase Bactrim 400 in the U.S.A.. Only Bactrim DS (for “double strength”) is available. Bactrim costs about twice as much as generic Bactrim tablets. Another brand-name option for those who can not take Bactrim is Sulfatrim Pediatric, an oral suspension for young children. Septra, Septra DS, and Co-trimoxazole are discontinued in the U.S.A.
Is sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim covered by insurance?
As a commonly-prescribed, lower-priced antibiotic, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is usually covered by health insurance plans, Medicare Part D drug coverage, and Medicaid. Insurance companies such as Humana, Aetna, and United Healthcare provide coverage and typically place sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim tablets in their lowest copay tiers. However, other policies, such as coinsurance or coverage gaps, may increase the out-of-pocket cost.
How much does sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim cost without insurance?
People without insurance coverage can expect to pay the full cash price for a sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim prescription. The average retail price for 20, 800-160 mg tablets of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is about $24. How long that lasts will depend on the dosage prescribed. UTIs and ear infections usually require two doses daily, but other infections could involve three or four doses each day. Expect 20 tablets to last five to ten days, depending on the infection.
Sulfamethoxazole is a sulfonamide, or “sulfa” drug, while trimethoprim is a unique antibiotic related to the cancer drug methotrexate. Other sulfa drugs are FDA-approved to treat bacterial infections, but sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim are the cheapest options.
Among antibiotics, generic Bactrim costs less than most. Alternatives like generic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) are two to three times more expensive than generic Bactrim. A healthcare provider can prescribe cheaper antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. However, these antibiotics may not be ideal for certain infections, and their side effects and drug interactions will differ. Generally speaking, other antibiotics are used for people with allergic reactions or skin reactions to sulfa drugs.
The cheapest option for uninsured patients may be a SingleCare savings card. The lowest SingleCare discount price for 20, 800-160 sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim tablets is only $1.
Compare Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim | $24 per 20, 800-160 mg tablets | $1 per 20, 800-160 mg tablets of generic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim | See latest prices |
| Bactrim DS | $52 per 14, 800-160 mg tablets | $1 per 14, 800-160 mg tablets of brand-name Bactrim DS | See latest prices |
| Macrobid | $125 per 14, 100 mg capsules | $6 per 14, 100 mg capsules of brand-name Macrobid | See latest prices |
| Ciprofloxacin HCl | $63 per 14, 500 mg tablets | $3 per 14, 500 mg tablets of generic ciprofloxacin HCl | See latest prices |
| Levofloxacin | $117 per 7, 500 mg tablets | $3 per 7, 500 mg tablets of generic levofloxacin | See latest prices |
| Amoxicillin | $17 per 21, 500 mg capsules | $1 per 21, 500 mg capsules of generic amoxicillin | See latest prices |
| Cefdinir | $111 per 20, 300 mg capsules | $10 per 20, 300 mg capsules of generic cefdinir | 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 link under the “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.
How to get sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim without insurance
Like all antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is only prescribed for a few days. That’s good news for people without insurance because it limits the cost. However, paying full price isn’t always necessary. Patient assistance programs will probably not help because they usually don’t include generic drugs. However, other effective ways exist to get generic medications at a steep discount. The first place to start is with a SingleCare prescription discount card.
1. Pay as little as $1 for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim with SingleCare
Visiting a SingleCare participating pharmacy with a free coupon from SingleCare can reduce the price of a sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim prescription to as low as $1. Discounts vary by pharmacy, so browse SingleCare’s sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim coupons page before deciding on a local pharmacy.
2. Shop drugstores for the lowest price
Different pharmacies charge different prices for the same meds. SingleCare’s price history for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is an excellent place to compare pharmacy prices for your prescription medication. The lowest pharmacy price for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is about half the highest price.
3. Ask the prescriber about lower-priced antibiotics
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is one of the most affordable antibiotics available. Few generic antibiotics can beat the price, but there are cheaper alternatives, such as amoxicillin. Switching may not be suitable, so ask the prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice about the pros and cons.
4. Explore local community resources
Free or low-priced antibiotics are available in your community at community health clinics or through 340B providers. Local health officials can help direct you to these resources.
5. Consider enrolling in Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help
If purchasing necessary and lower-cost drugs like sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is financially challenging, then more comprehensive savings should be explored. Medicaid and Medicare LIS are government-subsidized health insurance programs designed to minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for low-income patients. Requirements are very similar, so visit your state’s Medicaid website or talk to a local health official for eligibility requirements and enrollment information.
