Montelukast (Singulair) and cost

As with all medications, the cost of montelukast 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 montelukast will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers montelukast. This means the company and your doctor will discuss montelukast 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 montelukast requires prior authorization.

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

How much does montelukast cost without insurance?

Your pharmacist can help you determine how much montelukast costs without insurance. In general, the cost of drugs is higher when you don’t use insurance. However, montelukast is a generic drug. And generic drugs tend to be less expensive than brand-name versions.*

If you’ll be paying out of pocket for montelukast, your pharmacist can tell you the drug’s cash price. This is the cost without insurance or discounts. To learn about programs that may help with costs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

* Singulair is the brand-name version of montelukast. To learn more about Singulair, see the “Generic vs. brand-name drugs” section below.

Is there a cost difference between montelukast 10-mg tablets and the other strengths of the drug?

The cost of 10-milligram (mg) montelukast tablets and other strengths may differ slightly depending on several factors. These include your pharmacy, your dosage, and whether you use insurance. And insurance plans can vary in how they cover montelukast and the copay they charge.*

To determine the cost of different forms and strengths of montelukast, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist.

* A copay is set by your insurance policy. It’s the fee you pay for a doctor’s appointment or a prescription, while your insurance pays for the rest.

Montelukast 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.

Montelukast is available as the brand-name drug Singulair. If your doctor has prescribed montelukast and you’re interested in taking Singulair 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.

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

If you take montelukast 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 montelukast. 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

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

• Medicine Assistance Tool
• NeedyMeds

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 montelukast, 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 montelukast. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for montelukast.

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 montelukast, refer to this article.
• Side effects. For details about side effects of montelukast, see this article. You can also look at the drug’s prescribing information.
• Information about your condition. For more information about asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), see our asthma and allergies hub.

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.