Naproxen and cost

As with all medications, the cost of naproxen can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

• your treatment plan
• your insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• whether you buy naproxen over the counter (OTC) or with a prescription
• whether you buy a brand-name or generic version

To find out what the cost of naproxen 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 naproxen. This means the company and your doctor will discuss naproxen 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 naproxen requires prior authorization.

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

Is there a cost difference between naproxen 500 mg and naproxen 375 mg?

It’s possible that there may be a cost difference between naproxen 500 milligrams (mg) and naproxen 375 mg. The exact cost of your naproxen prescription may depend on multiple factors. These include your treatment plan, whether you have insurance, the form of naproxen you use, and the pharmacy you use.

If you don’t have insurance, your pharmacist can tell you the price of the available strengths and forms of naproxen.

If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider or pharmacist whether your plan covers naproxen and the exact price you’ll pay.

Does naproxen oral suspension cost more than the drug’s other forms?

It’s possible that naproxen oral suspension may cost more than the drug’s other forms. The exact cost of your naproxen prescription will depend on your treatment plan, whether you have insurance, the form of naproxen you use, and the pharmacy you use.

If you have insurance, you can talk with your insurance provider for more information about what your total out-of-pocket cost will be for each dosage form. The total out-of-pocket cost is the amount of money you pay toward your prescription.

If you have questions about the cost of naproxen oral suspension, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Naproxen 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.

Naproxen is available as the brand-name drugs Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Aflaxen, and Anaprox. If your doctor has prescribed naproxen and you’re interested in using one of the brand name versions 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 naproxen, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Naproxen is typically not taken long term due to increased risk of serious side effects.* However, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, your doctor may decide that you need to take naproxen long term. If you take naproxen 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 naproxen. 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

Naproxen 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.

* To learn more about side effects from naproxen, refer to this article.

If you need financial support to pay for naproxen, 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 naproxen, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to naproxen. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for naproxen.

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 naproxen, 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.