Valtrex (valacyclovir) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed to treat or prevent certain viral infections, including cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.
As with all medications, the cost of Valtrex can vary. Factors that may affect the Valtrex price include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
To find out what the cost of Valtrex 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.
To save money on your Valtrex prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Save on your Valtrex prescription
Save on Valtrex without insurance.
Enter your information:
Location
47201
Dosage
500mg valacyclovir (30 Tablets)
Save money without using insurance
Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire, so be sure to save it for refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
The active ingredient of Valtrex is valacyclovir. It’s available as the generic drug valacyclovir. 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.
If your doctor has prescribed Valtrex and you’re interested in taking valacyclovir 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 generic drug compares with the cost of Valtrex, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Valtrex long term to prevent infection, 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 Valtrex. 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
Valtrex 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 Valtrex, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Valtrex.
How much is Valtrex without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for Valtrex if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance. So, the Valtrex price with insurance will likely be less than the cost 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 drug assistance programs
- your dosage
- the pharmacy you use
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 Valtrex.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of Valtrex’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)
In addition, Valtrex is available in the generic form, valacyclovir. Sometimes, generic versions of a drug have a lower cost than the brand-name version. If you have questions about how much valacyclovir is without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
Does the Valtrex 500-mg tablet cost less than the Valtrex 1-gram tablet?
The Valtrex 500-milligram (mg) tablet may cost less than the Valtrex 1-gram (g) tablet. This is because the 500-mg tablet contains less medication than the 1-g (or 1,000-mg) tablet does. Because the 1-g tablet contains more drug, the cost may be higher.
However, the cost of Valtrex may also depend on other factors, including if you have insurance and your dose of the medication. If you have questions about the difference between the Valtrex 500-mg price and the 1-g price, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine the most cost-effective treatment option for you.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Valtrex.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Valtrex. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Valtrex 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 Valtrex requires prior authorization.
If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
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.