Cephalexin is a generic drug prescribed for certain bacterial infections in adults and some children. Cephalexin isn’t available in a brand-name version. The cost of cephalexin with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Cephalexin is available in these oral forms: capsule, tablet, and powder for liquid suspension. The medication belongs to a drug class called cephalosporin antibiotics.
Read on to learn about cephalexin and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about cephalexin, including details about its uses, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of cephalexin can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of cephalexin 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 cephalexin. This means the company and your doctor will discuss cephalexin 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 cephalexin requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and cephalexin.
Does cephalexin 500 mg cost less than the drug’s other strengths?
Your cost for cephalexin 500 milligrams (mg) may be about the same as for the drug’s other strengths.* However, what you’ll pay for the drug depends on:
- your insurance plan (if you have one)
- the drug form and amount of medication your doctor prescribes for you
- the pharmacy you use to fill your prescription
To find out your cost for cephalexin 500 mg, ask your insurance plan provider or pharmacist. If you want to know which strength of cephalexin is best to treat your condition, ask your doctor.
* Cephalexin strengths vary depending on the drug form. For details, see the “Dosage” section of this article.
How much does cephalexin cost without insurance?
The cost of cephalexin without insurance may depend on the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on the form, strength, and amount of medication your doctor prescribes for you.
To find out your cephalexin prescription cost without insurance, talk with your pharmacist. Because prices can vary, consider contacting several pharmacies to find the least expensive option for your dosage. For more information about drug costs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” and “Next steps” sections below.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of cephalexin’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
Cephalexin is only available as a generic drug. It doesn’t come in a brand-name 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.
Note: Cephalexin is based on Keflex, a brand-name version of the drug that’s no longer available.
If you need financial support to pay for cephalexin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and cephalexin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to cephalexin. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for cephalexin.
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.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of cephalexin, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about bacterial infections, see our articles on infectious diseases, bacteria, and viruses.
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.