Furosemide is a generic drug that’s prescribed for high blood pressure and edema (fluid buildup). The medication is available as the brand-name drugs Lasix and Furoscix. The cost of furosemide with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether the drug has a savings program.

Furosemide comes in these forms: oral tablet, oral solution, and solution for IV or intramuscular injection. The medication belongs to a drug class called diuretics.

Read on to learn about furosemide and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about furosemide, refer to this article.

As with all medications, the cost of furosemide can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. If you’re prescribed furosemide injection, the price you’ll pay may depend on the cost of the healthcare visits to receive your doses.

To find out what the cost of furosemide 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 furosemide.

Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers furosemide. This means the company and your doctor will discuss furosemide in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If the 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 furosemide requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage. Furosemide injection is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, your doctor may bill the cost of your furosemide doses 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 furosemide 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.

Furosemide 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.

Furosemide is available as the brand-name drugs Lasix and Furoscix. If your doctor has prescribed furosemide and you’re interested in 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 cover only one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of furosemide, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you take furosemide 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 furosemide oral tablet or solution. 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

Furosemide’s oral forms 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 furosemide, 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 furosemide.

Do the different strengths of furosemide, such as 20 mg or 40 mg, have different costs?

The costs of the 20-milligram (mg), 40-mg, and 80-mg strengths of furosemide tablets may vary slightly. They may also differ from the costs of furosemide oral solution and solution for injection. Other factors that can affect the price you’ll pay include your dosage, the pharmacy you use, and whether you have insurance.

Your pharmacist can help you determine the prices of different strengths and forms of furosemide. You can also reach out to your doctor or insurance provider.

Is furosemide available over the counter? If so, does it cost less than the prescription form?

No, furosemide isn’t available over the counter. You need a prescription from your doctor or another healthcare professional. Furosemide is a diuretic, commonly known as a “water pill.” Diuretics are not available over the counter. Doctors prescribe them for some people with high blood pressure and edema (fluid buildup).

Diuretics work by removing excess fluid from the body. They can cause serious side effects if they’re not taken properly. So this is why diuretics, including furosemide, aren’t available over the counter. If your doctor prescribes furosemide, they’ll monitor you closely during treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about furosemide for your condition, talk with your doctor. You can also read this overview.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and furosemide, you may still have some questions. It may be helpful to talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to furosemide. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for furosemide.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.