Xanax (alprazolam) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following anxiety disorders in adults:
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia
For more information about Xanax’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Xanax:
- Drug forms: bar-shaped oral tablet and extended-release oral tablet
- Generic version: alprazolam
Read on to learn about Xanax and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Xanax can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Xanax has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Xanax 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 Xanax. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Xanax 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 Xanax requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Xanax.
What are the costs of Xanax and Xanax XR without insurance?
If you have a Xanax or Xanax XR prescription with no insurance coverage, your cost may depend on where you fill your prescription. (Xanax XR is an extended-release version of Xanax, which means the drug is slowly released over time. It’s only approved to treat panic disorder.)
You can ask your pharmacist for a “cash price” for Xanax. That’s the amount you’d pay out of pocket with no discounts or insurance.
Do the prices of 0.5-mg, 1-mg, and 2-mg Xanax tablets vary?
The price of Xanax tablets may depend on the strength you are prescribed. The price may also depend on the number of tablets your doctor orders for you.
If you have coverage for prescription drugs, you can ask your insurance provider what your co-pay will be before you go to the pharmacy.
Xanax is available as the generic drug alprazolam. Alprazolam is the active ingredient in Xanax. 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 Xanax and you’re interested in using alprazolam 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 Xanax, 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 need financial support to pay for Xanax, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Xanax Savings Card is available for Xanax. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-854-4535 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 Xanax, you may still have some questions. For example, what’s the price of Xanax per pill? Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Xanax and Xanax XR. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay.
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.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Xanax, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Xanax and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about Xanax’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Xanax prescribing information.
- Information about your condition. For more information about your condition, see our anxiety hub and mental health 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.