Ivermectin and cost

Ivermectin is a generic prescription* medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat:

• parasitic infections in adults and in children who weigh at least 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds)
• rosacea in adults
• head lice in adults and children ages 6 months and older

For more information about ivermectin’s uses, refer to this article.

* The lotion form of ivermectin is also available over the counter.

Drug details

Here are some details on ivermectin:

• Drug class: anti-parasitic
• Drug forms:
  • oral tablet
  • topical cream
  • topical lotion
• Brand-name versions:
  • Sklice
  • Soolantra
  • Stromectol

Read on to learn about ivermectin and how much it may cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: This article addresses ivermectin’s cost for use in humans. The drug can also be used in certain animals.

As with all medications, the cost of ivermectin can vary. Factors that may affect how expensive ivermectin is include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of ivermectin will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and ivermectin.

Can I buy ivermectin over the counter?

Possibly. It depends on which form of ivermectin you want to buy. Ivermectin is available in the following forms:

• oral tablet
• topical cream
• topical lotion

Only the topical lotion is available over the counter. You’ll need a prescription from your doctor to get the oral tablets or topical cream.

Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in a prescription for ivermectin oral tablets or topical cream.

Are ivermectin tablets prescribed in a dose of 12 mg? If so, what’s the price of this dosage?

Ivermectin tablets are available in one strength: 3 milligrams (mg). The drug may be prescribed in a 12- mg dose for some uses. (This means you’d take four 3-mg tablets per dose.)

To find the price of any dose of ivermectin, including its cost per dose, you can talk with your pharmacist. They may use information such as your treatment plan and insurance coverage to determine the price you’ll pay for ivermectin.

How much does topical ivermectin cost?

The cost of topical ivermectin cream or lotion can vary. Your costs may differ depending on factors such as your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

Ivermectin topical lotion is available over the counter, which may also affect its cost. Ivermectin’s other forms are available by prescription only.

If you’d like to know how much you might pay for topical ivermectin, talk with your pharmacist.

Ivermectin is available in the following brand-name forms:

• Sklice
• Soolantra
• Stromectol

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of a brand-name form compares to the cost of ivermectin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed ivermectin and you’re interested in using a brand-name form instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

Keep reading for suggestions that may help you reduce long-term drug costs with ivermectin.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of ivermectin. 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 or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Ivermectin 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 ivermectin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

• Medicine Assistance Tool
• NeedyMeds

These sites can provide details on 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 ivermectin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and ivermectin. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for ivermectin.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

• Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles on Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
• Save money. Explore this article for tips on how to save money on prescriptions.
• More details. For details about other aspects of ivermectin tablets, refer to this article. And refer to this Soolantra article for details about ivermectin topical cream.

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.