Ibuprofen is a generic drug that’s prescribed for pain relief in adults and some children. The medication is available as the brand-name drug Neoprofen. The cost of ibuprofen with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Specifically, ibuprofen oral tablets are approved for pain relief in adults. Ibuprofen oral tablets are also approved for pain associated with menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen comes as an oral liquid suspension and an oral capsule.
Ibuprofen lysine is an injection that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It’s approved in certain circumstances to close a patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) in preterm infants. A PDA is an opening between two blood vessels that leave the heart. It typically closes after birth.
This article focuses on the prescription oral tablet form of ibuprofen. To learn more about the over-the-counter (OTC) forms of ibuprofen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
As with all medications, the cost of ibuprofen can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. If your infant is prescribed ibuprofen lysine, the cost will also depend on the cost to receive doses at the hospital.
To find out what the cost of ibuprofen 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.
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Ibuprofen 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.
Ibuprofen IV infusion is available as the brand-name drug Neoprofen. Ibuprofen oral tablets are not available in a brand-name form.
To find out how the cost of the brand-name drug compares with the cost of ibuprofen, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take ibuprofen 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 ibuprofen. 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
Ibuprofen 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 ibuprofen, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two options 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 ibuprofen.
What is the cost of ibuprofen without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for ibuprofen if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance.
There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These 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
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed (such as the oral tablets or IV infusion)
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for ibuprofen.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of ibuprofen’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.
How does ibuprofen’s cost compare with that of medications such as acetaminophen?
The price you would pay for ibuprofen versus that of acetaminophen depends on various factors.
For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Prescription ibuprofen is available as oral tablets and an IV infusion. Acetaminophen is available as an IV injection. Acetaminophen oral tablets and capsules are available over OTC. Ibuprofen oral tablets are also available OTC.
There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, including:
- the length of your treatment
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
To learn more about the cost of ibuprofen compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive ibuprofen.
Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers ibuprofen. This means the company and your doctor will discuss ibuprofen 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 ibuprofen requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage: Ibuprofen lysine is given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. With insurance, the price of ibuprofen lysine doses may be billed through medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of an insurance plan. This depends on the specific insurance plan and where ibuprofen lysine doses are given, such as a doctor’s office, infusion clinic, or hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and ibuprofen, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to ibuprofen. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for ibuprofen.
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 ibuprofen, refer to this article.
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.