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Is Oracea covered by insurance? | How much does Oracea cost without insurance? | How to get Oracea without insurance
Oracea is a brand-name antibiotic formulated to deliver a low dose of doxycycline using a patented combination of immediate-release and delayed-release beads used to treat rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition marked by redness, rough skin, and pimples on the face. Over half of people with rosacea have irritation, redness, or discomfort in their eyes as well. Manufactured by Galderma, Oracea is FDA approved to treat inflammatory lesions similar to acne that are symptoms of rosacea. As an antibiotic, it does not help with other skin or eye symptoms, such as redness. These are usually treated with topical medications. Oracea is taken orally as a tablet or capsule. It is a premium-priced medication, but a similar generic version is available. Switching to a generic medication is just one way to save money on Oracea.
What is the brand name/generic for Oracea?
The generic version of Oracea is doxycycline. At least one authorized generic exists at the same low-dosage formulation. Generic doxycycline hyclate is also a possible substitute. It is often prescribed as a capsule or tablet for acne, cystic acne, and swellings due to rosacea. However, the dose used is considerably higher and less safe when treating rosacea swellings. The average retail price for a 30-day supply of generic doxycycline hyclate is $120.
Is Oracea covered by insurance?
Oracea is not always covered by health insurance, and Medicare prescription drug plans do not tend to cover it. However, generic doxycycline as a rosacea treatment is covered by most insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, and Medicaid. Keep in mind that the formulation and dosage strengths may be different. The good news is that insurance companies typically put generic doxycycline in the lowest-copay drug tier. When covered, Oracea is assigned to higher drug tiers.
How much does Oracea cost without insurance?
At full price, Oracea costs $1,078 for 30, 40-mg capsules. Prices may vary by pharmacy, but the dosage won’t change. At that price, people taking Oracea are paying about $36 for each capsule. It’s unlikely that Oracea will be taken throughout the year, but Oracea is formulated at a low dose so that it can be safely taken over the long term. Two to three months is the typical duration of treatment and will cost between $2,000 to $3,000.
Higher-dose generic doxycycline hyclate costs much less than Oracea: about $120 for 30, 100 mg capsules. There are significant differences between alternatives, so a healthcare provider may not be willing to substitute generic doxycycline hyclate or other antibiotics for Oracea.
Compare Oracea prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Oracea | $1,078 per 30, 40 mg capsules | $625 per 30, 40 mg capsules of brand-name Oracea | See latest prices |
| Azelaic acid | $414 per 50 gm of 15% gel of generic azelaic acid | $38 per 50 gm of 15% gel of generic azelaic acid | See latest prices |
| Metrogel | $484 per 60 gm of 1% gel | $42 per 60 gm of 1% gel of brand-name Metrogel | See latest prices |
| Rhofade | $762 per 30 gm of 1% cream | $571 per 30 gm of 1% cream of brand-name Rhofade | See latest prices |
| Soolantra
(ivermectin) |
$850 per 45 gm of 1% cream | $570 per 45 gm of 1% cream of brand-name Soolantra | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get Oracea without insurance
It can be hard to live with rosacea and it may require the use of several over-the-counter and prescription medications at the same time. Paying for it all without insurance can be a challenge, even more so if a premium-priced brand-name drug is added to the mix. Fortunately, these don’t exhaust all the possible ways Oracea patients can save money.
1. Save over $400 with a SingleCare discount card
With a SingleCare savings card, a 30-day prescription of Oracea can cost as little as $625, more than $450 off the average retail price. There are no eligibility requirements to use SingleCare. Prescription discounts from SingleCare can be found at many participating pharmacies, but the savings may vary. Check current SingleCare discount prices at convenient local pharmacies by visiting SingleCare’s Oracea coupons page.
2. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist about the authorized generic
Oracea is formulated to deliver a low dose of doxycycline using a patented combination of immediate-release and delayed-release beads. This formulation allows for safer long-term treatment. There is one authorized generic that may be cheaper, so it’s worth asking a healthcare provider for additional information.
3. Ask the prescriber about generic doxycycline
High-dose doxycycline—100 to 200 mg per day—can be substituted for an Oracea prescription, but side effects like stomach pain will be more likely. There’s also a risk of growing antibiotic-resistant bacteria or provoking a bad infection in the colon.
5. Ask the prescriber about other generic antibiotics
In addition to doxycycline, a prescriber could prescribe other tetracycline antibiotics, including minocycline and tetracycline, as well as azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic. Unfortunately, these will all be prescribed in higher doses than Oracea. Side effects and allergic reactions are more likely and there’s always a risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria. They do cost much less, so ask the prescriber for medical advice before switching.
5. Shop for the lowest price
No matter what the prescription—Oracea or generic antibiotics—it pays to shop around. The lowest pharmacy price for Oracea is at least $100 lower than the highest pharmacy price. Using an Oracea discount coupon from SingleCare can lower the price even more.
