Aczone (dapsone) is a brand-name topical gel prescribed for acne in adults and some children. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Aczone has a savings program.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Aczone to treat acne in adults and children ages 9 years and older.
As with all medications, the cost of Aczone can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Aczone has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Aczone will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Aczone prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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Save on Aczone without insurance.
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Location
47201
Dosage
60gm dapsone (gel) (1 Tube)
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Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire, so be sure to save it for refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
The active ingredient of Aczone is dapsone, and it’s available as a generic drug. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Aczone and you’re interested in using dapsone instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Aczone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Aczone long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Aczone. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Aczone may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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 financial support to pay for Aczone, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Aczone.
How much does Aczone cost with insurance vs. without it?
What you pay for Aczone if you have insurance compared to what you’d pay without it depends on several factors.
Factors that could affect what you pay for this drug without insurance 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 and treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
These same factors may affect your price for Aczone if you have insurance. But the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:
- your specific plan benefits
- any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage
To learn more about what you’d pay for Aczone with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for this drug when using coupons from their site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
How does Aczone’s cost compare with that of medications such as Differin?
The price you would pay for Aczone versus that of Differin (adapalene) depends on various factors.
For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Aczone is available as a topical gel, and Differin is available as a topical gel, cream, or lotion.
Aczone is only available by prescription. Depending on the strength, Differin is available with a prescription or as an over-the-counter product.
There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, including:
- the length of your treatment
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
To learn more about the cost of Aczone compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Aczone.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Aczone. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Aczone 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 Aczone requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Aczone, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Aczone. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Aczone.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Information about acne: For more information about acne, see our dermatology hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.