Belsomra (suvorexant) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for insomnia. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Belsomra has a savings program.
Belsomra belongs to a drug class called dual orexin receptor antagonists. Belsomra isn’t available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about Belsomra and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Belsomra, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of Belsomra can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Belsomra has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Belsomra will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Belsomra. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Belsomra in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication. 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 Belsomra requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Belsomra.
How does the cost of Belsomra compare with the cost of Ambien?
The cost of Belsomra compared with the cost of Ambien depends on several factors. One is whether you have insurance coverage and how your specific plan covers brand-name drugs.
Similar to Belsomra, Ambien is a brand-name drug prescribed for insomnia. But unlike Belsomra, Ambien is available as the generic drug zolpidem. Generic drugs tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
The price you’ll pay also depends on whether the drug has a savings program. For information about Belsomra savings programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.
To find out the cost of Belsomra compared with Ambien, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist. If you’d like to know more about Belsomra versus Ambien for insomnia, talk with your doctor.
Is Belsomra available over the counter? If so, is it cheaper than the prescription form of the drug?
No, Belsomra isn’t available over the counter (OTC). Belsomra is a brand-name drug for insomnia that’s only available with a prescription from your doctor.
If you’re interested in OTC sleep remedies, talk with your pharmacist or doctor to learn more. Your doctor can help determine whether an OTC product is right for your condition.
Belsomra is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
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 Belsomra 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 Belsomra. 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
Belsomra 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 Belsomra, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A manufacturer savings coupon for Belsomra is available. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for the coupon, ask your doctor or visit the program website.
- 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.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Belsomra, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Belsomra. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Belsomra.
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.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Belsomra, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Belsomra and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about Belsomra’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Belsomra prescribing information.
- Interactions. You can find out what Belsomra interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about insomnia, see our science of sleep 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.