Diclofenac is a generic drug prescribed for conditions including arthritis in adults. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Zipsor, Cambia, and others. The cost of diclofenac with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Generic diclofenac is available in two different salt forms: diclofenac potassium and diclofenac sodium. These drugs come in different dosage forms and are prescribed to treat different conditions. The table below summarizes the available generic versions of these drugs:
diclofenac potassium | diclofenac sodium | |
---|---|---|
Forms | • oral capsule • oral solution • oral tablet | • topical gel • topical solution • eye drop • delayed-release (DR) oral tablet • extended-release (ER) oral tablet |
With DR tablets, the drug is released into your body after it reaches your stomach. With ER tablets, the drug releases slowly into your body over time. For details about diclofenac sodium tablet uses, side effects, and more, see this article.
In this article, the term “diclofenac” refers to all forms listed above.
Read on to learn about cost and diclofenac and ways to save on prescription drugs.
As with all medications, the cost of diclofenac 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 diclofenac 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 diclofenac prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Diclofenac is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active ingredient 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.
Diclofenac is available as the brand-name drugs Zipsor, Cambia, Cataflam, Licart, Flector, and Voltaren Arthritis Pain.
If your doctor has prescribed diclofenac and you’re interested in a brand-name product instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may cover only one or the other. (Note that a brand-name version of diclofenac may not be available for your specific condition.)
To find out how the cost of these brand-name drugs compare with the cost of diclofenac, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take diclofenac 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 diclofenac. 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
Diclofenac 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 diclofenac, 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.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and diclofenac.
How much does diclofenac cost with insurance vs. without it?
What you pay for diclofenac 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 form of the drug you’re prescribed (such as the oral capsule, oral tablet, or topical gel)
- the pharmacy you use
These same factors may affect your price for diclofenac if you have insurance. But the cost 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 diclofenac with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
You can also visit Optum Perks for diclofenac sodium tablet price estimates 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.)
Is diclofenac covered by Medicare?
It may be. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.
You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.
Your doctor may have information about your cost for diclofenac if you have Medicare.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive diclofenac.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers diclofenac. This means the company and your doctor will discuss diclofenac 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 diclofenac requires prior authorization.
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.