Gabapentin is a generic prescription drug. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions:
- postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain that occurs after shingles) in adults
- partial seizures in adults and children ages 3 years and older with epilepsy, used in combination with other seizure medications
Drug details
Here are some details about gabapentin:
- Drug class: anticonvulsant
- Drug forms: oral capsules, oral liquid solution, and oral tablets
- Brand-name versions: Gralise (tablets) and Neurontin (capsules, solution, and tablets)
Read on to learn about gabapentin and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of gabapentin can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, the form of gabapentin you take, and the pharmacy you use.
In addition, you may need to purchase oral syringes to use the oral liquid solution form of gabapentin.
To find out what the cost of gabapentin will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cost and gabapentin.
Does the cost of gabapentin vary by form or strength?
Yes, the cost of gabapentin can vary by form or strength.
Gabapentin comes in several forms that are taken orally (by mouth). Each form comes in different strengths. The following chart shows all forms of gabapentin, along with the strengths of each, in milligrams (mg) or milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL):
| Form | Strength |
| Capsules | 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg |
| Tablets | 600 mg and 800 mg |
| Liquid | 250 mg/5 mL |
Gabapentin isn’t available as a cream that’s made by a drug manufacturer. However, your doctor can still prescribe gabapentin cream. This form of gabapentin can be made by a compounding pharmacy, which is a special type of pharmacy that makes medications that aren’t available from manufacturers.
The cost of gabapentin cream will depend on factors such as the ingredients used to make it, the amount of cream you need, and the pharmacy you use. Any insurance coverage you have for compounded medications will also affect the drug’s cost.
If you have questions about the cost of different forms and strengths of gabapentin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does the cost of gabapentin vary based on the condition the drug is used to treat?
Yes, gabapentin’s cost can vary based on the condition it’s used to treat because different amounts of the drug may be needed.
Gabapentin is approved to treat the following conditions:
- postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain that occurs after shingles) in adults
- partial seizures in adults and children ages 3 years and older with epilepsy, used in combination with other seizure medications
The typical dosages of gabapentin for treating these conditions are different. And the dosage you’re prescribed can affect the number of capsules, tablets, or amount of liquid you’ll need for each prescription. All of these factors can affect the price you’ll pay for gabapentin.
If you have questions about the cost of gabapentin based on your condition or dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Below are a few ways to possibly lower the long-term costs of gabapentin.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of gabapentin. If your insurance company approves it, 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 or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Gabapentin 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.
Gabapentin is a generic drug, which is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Gabapentin is available in two brand-name forms. These are called Gralise (which comes as oral capsules) and Neurontin (which comes as oral capsules, oral liquid solution, and oral tablets). To find out how the cost of Gralise or Neurontin compares with the cost of gabapentin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed gabapentin and you’re interested in using a brand-name version of the 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.
If you need financial support to pay for gabapentin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two of these websites 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 gabapentin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues. If you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for gabapentin.
Here are some other resources that you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, explore these articles on Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Read this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of gabapentin, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about shingles, see our list of shingles articles. To learn more about epilepsy, see our list of epilepsy articles.
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.