Clonidine is a generic drug that’s prescribed for high blood pressure, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and severe pain in people with cancer. The cost of clonidine with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether the drug has a savings program.
Clonidine is available in these forms: oral tablet, oral extended-release tablet, skin patch, and solution for injection. The medication belongs to a drug class called alpha-agonists.
Clonidine is available as the brand-name drugs Catapres-TTS, Kapvay, and Duraclon.
Read on to learn about clonidine and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about clonidine, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of clonidine can vary. Factors that may affect the cost per pill or patch you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. For clonidine injection, it will also depend on the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of clonidine.
To find out what the cost of clonidine will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Insurance considerations
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive clonidine.
Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers clonidine tablets or patches. This means the company and your doctor will discuss clonidine 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 clonidine requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage. Clonidine injection is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your clonidine doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your clonidine doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Clonidine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. 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.
Clonidine is available as the brand-name drugs Catapres-TTS, Kapvay, and Duraclon. If your doctor has prescribed clonidine and you’re interested in using a brand-name drug 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 brand-name drug compares with the cost of clonidine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take clonidine 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 clonidine. 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
Clonidine 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 clonidine, 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 clonidine, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to clonidine. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for clonidine.
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 clonidine, refer to this article.
- Information about high blood pressure. For more information about high blood pressure, see our cardiovascular health 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.