Prednisone is a generic drug that’s prescribed for certain inflammatory conditions. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Rayos and Prednisone Intensol. The cost of prednisone with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prednisone to reduce swelling, inflammation, and irritation in the body for many different conditions. Some of these include:
For more information about prednisone and the conditions it’s prescribed to treat, see this article.
As with all medications, the cost of prednisone 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 prednisone will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug price and prednisone.
How can I determine the price of prednisone without insurance?
The price of prednisone without insurance can vary. But it might cost more than with insurance.
If you have questions about the price of prednisone without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your pharmacist may be able to help you determine the cost of prednisone without insurance.
What’s the price of prednisone in eyedrop form?
Prednisone doesn’t come in eyedrop form. A drug with a similar name, prednisolone (Pred Forte), comes in eyedrop form. Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for prednisolone eye drops.
To learn the forms prednisone comes in, refer to the question and answer right below.
For more information about the price of prednisolone, talk with your pharmacist. You can also refer to this article.
Do some forms and strengths of prednisone cost more than others?
Possibly. The price you pay for prednisone may vary depending on the form and strength your doctor prescribes.
Prednisone comes in the following forms and strengths:
- oral tablet: 1 milligram (mg), 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg
- oral liquid solution: 5 mg per 5 milliliters (mL), which comes in 120-mL and 500-mL bottles
Prednisone is also available as the brand-name products Rayos and Prednisone Intensol. For more information, see the “Generic vs. brand-name drugs” section below.
If you have questions about the cost of prednisone, talk with your pharmacist. They can help determine the price you’ll pay for the drug.
Prednisone is a generic drug, which 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.
Prednisone is available as the brand-name drugs Rayos and Prednisone Intensol. Both medications are prescription drugs. Keep in mind that Rayos comes as delayed-release oral tablets. This means the medication is released slowly over time into your body. Prednisone oral tablets are immediate release. This means the drug is released right away into your body. Prednisone Intensol comes as a concentrated oral liquid solution.
To find out how the costs of Rayos and Prednisone Intensol compare with the cost of prednisone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed prednisone and you’re interested in taking Rayos or Prednisone Intensol 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.
Below are some ways to reduce long-term drug costs with prednisone.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of prednisone. 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
Prednisone 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 prednisone, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
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 prednisone, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and prednisone. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for this drug.
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 prednisone, refer to this article.
- Information on your condition: To learn more about some of the conditions that prednisone is prescribed to treat, see our hubs on asthma and allergies, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
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.