Vivitrol (naltrexone) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for alcohol or opioid dependence in adults. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors.

Vivitrol belongs to a drug class called opioid antagonists. Vivitrol is not available in a generic version. It’s approved to help treat and prevent:

Read on to learn about Vivitrol and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Vivitrol, refer to this article.

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

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Vivitrol
  • whether Vivitrol has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

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

Insurance considerations

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Vivitrol.

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

Type of insurance coverage. Vivitrol is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Vivitrol doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Vivitrol doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an injection clinic, or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

Vivitrol is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

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 need financial support to pay for Vivitrol, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • The Vivitrol Co-Pay Savings Program is available from the drug’s manufacturer. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-VIVITROL (800-848-4876) or visit the program website.
  • A program called Vivitrol2gether is also available from the drug’s manufacturer. This program offers patient support services, including resources for financial assistance. For more information, call 800-VIVITROL (800-848-4876) or visit the program website.
  • 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.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Vivitrol, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Vivitrol. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Vivitrol.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.