Key takeaways
- Pregabalin is a generic prescription drug used to treat neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults. It is also used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and certain children.
- The price you pay for pregabalin may depend on factors such as the form you take, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
- A few ways to help lower the cost of pregabalin include getting a 90-day supply of the drug or using a mail order pharmacy.
Several factors can affect the price you’ll pay for pregabalin, including:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you use
- available financial assistance for pregabalin (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)
Coupons and savings
To save money on your pregabalin prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about pregabalin and cost.
Does the price of pregabalin capsules vary depending on the strength (for example, 25 mg vs. 100 mg)?
Yes, it’s possible that you will pay more for higher-strength capsules. The capsules come in several strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg.
Pregabalin also comes as extended-release tablets and as a liquid solution. Higher strengths of these forms may also cost more than lower strengths.
The form you take may also affect the price. The solution is typically more expensive than the capsules or tablets.
For more information on how much you may pay for pregabalin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How much does pregabalin cost without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for pregabalin if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance.
For example, the liquid solution may cost more than the capsules or tablets. The price may also increase for higher strengths of the drug.
There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- your dosage
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for pregabalin.
To learn more about what you may pay for pregabalin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do the costs of pregabalin and gabapentin compare?
Both pregabalin and gabapentin can be used to treat nerve pain and certain types of seizures.
The costs of pregabalin and gabapentin are similar.
To learn more about the cost of these medications and whether you can use either of them for your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregabalin comes in a brand-name version called Lyrica. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out how the costs of Lyrica and pregabalin compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed pregabalin and you’re interested in using Lyrica instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take pregabalin long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of pregabalin if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of pregabalin. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for pregabalin. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of pregabalin or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
If you have questions about how you can pay for pregabalin, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
You may want to consider the following important information if you have insurance and receive pregabalin.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers pregabalin. This means the company and your doctor will discuss pregabalin in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether pregabalin requires prior authorization.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.