Search for articles or Rx savings
Is nifedipine covered by insurance? | How much does nifedipine cost without insurance? | How to get nifedipine without insurance
Nifedipine is a generic prescription drug taken as an immediate-release capsule or extended-release tablet to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Belonging to a family of drugs called calcium channel blockers, nifedipine relaxes the heart muscle and widens blood vessels throughout the body, reducing blood pressure. As a commonly prescribed heart and blood pressure medication, nifedipine is a lower-priced prescription medication as both of its dosage forms. Even so, it’s possible to save money on a nifedipine prescription when health insurance isn’t an option.
Related: Nifedipine side effects
What is the brand name/generic for nifedipine?
Nifedipine and nifedipine ER are low-priced generic drugs. However, both forms can be prescribed as higher-priced brand-name drugs, including Procardia XL, Adalat CC, and Afeditab CR. Procardia uses a special extended-release format and costs about $240 for a 30-day supply, whereas it is $52 for the same amount of nifedipine ER.
Is nifedipine covered by insurance?
Nifedipine ER is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicaid plans. Health plans are less likely to cover immediate-release nifedipine. In general, these plans put nifedipine and nifedipine ER in their lowest drug tiers, that is, drugs with the lowest copay. Other factors, such as coinsurance or coverage gaps, may affect the out-of-pocket cost for insured patients.
How much does nifedipine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the cash price of nifedipine averages to be $46 for 30, 10 mg capsules. Nifedipine ER costs about the same for 30, 30 mg tablets, averaging around $52 for 30, 30 mg capsules. Immediate-release nifedipine is taken three times a day, so a month’s supply will cost about $138. Nifedipine ER is taken once per day, so a month’s supply will cost $52. Keep in mind that hypertension is only treated with nifedipine ER. In that case, a year’s treatment with nifedipine ER will probably end up costing $500 at the full retail price. One way for cash-paying customers to save is to use a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare price for a 30-day supply of nifedipine is $7 and the lowest SingleCare price for a 30-day supply of nifedipine ER is $3. For most uninsured patients, SingleCare is the lowest-cost alternative. It may also be the lowest-cost alternative for some insured patients.
Compare nifedipine prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Nifedipine | $138 per 90, 10 mg capsules | $7 per 30, 10 mg capsules of generic nifedipine | See latest prices |
| Procardia XL (nifedipine ER) | $241 per 30, 30 mg tablets | $5 per 30, 30 mg tablets of generic nifedipine ER | See latest prices |
| Felodipine Er | $50 per 30, 5 mg tablets | $3 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic felodipine ER | See latest prices |
| Amlodipine besylate | $53 for 30, 5 mg tablets | $2 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic amlodipine besylate | See latest prices |
| Verapamil | $26 per 90, 80 mg tablets | $2 per 90, 80 mg tablets of generic verapamil | See latest prices |
| Metoprolol tartrate | $2 for 60, 25 mg tablets | $48 for 60, 25 mg tablets of generic metoprolol tartrate | See latest prices |
| Valsartan | $136 per 30, 160 mg tablets of generic valsartan | $7 per 30, 160 mg tablets of generic valsartan | 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 nifedipine without insurance
Nifedipine is a generic prescription that is lower-priced than drugs that are similar to it. However, paying $46 every month for a nifedipine prescription can be challenging for some. In many cases, nifedipine is prescribed with other blood pressure drugs, such as lisinopril, losartan, or hydrochlorothiazide, adding to the bill each month. As for patient assistance programs, generic drugs like nifedipine typically aren’t included. Manufacturer coupons and rebates are rare, too. So, how can the cost of nifedipine be lowered without buying health insurance? Here are a few tips, starting with a SingleCare savings card.
1. Use a SingleCare discount card
The lowest SingleCare price for a 30-day supply of immediate-release nifedipine is $7, and the lowest SingleCare price for a 30-day supply of extended-release nifedipine is $3. A year of nifedipine ER treatment will cost less than $50, about the cost of paying for one month of the drug at the retail price. The discount price will depend on which participating pharmacy the savings card is used at. Compare discount prices on SingleCare’s nifedipine or nifedipine ER’s coupon pages. Read the FAQs section on those pages for valuable savings and drug information.
2. Find the lowest price for nifedipine
Comparing pharmacy prices for prescription drugs can unlock some hidden savings. For instance, the lowest pharmacy price for nifedipine is $20 lower than the average retail price. Even more savings can be had by using a free coupon from SingleCare.
3. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider for a 90-day prescription
At some pharmacies, a 90-day supply of nifedipine is cheaper per pill than a 30-day supply. When calling pharmacies to compare prices for nifedipine, always ask for the price of a 90-day supply.
4. Enroll in Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help
If even a SingleCare discount price doesn’t help enough, consider enrolling in Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy program). Both are government-subsidized healthcare insurance programs designed to provide health insurance at low or no out-of-pocket cost. The first place to start is by visiting your state’s Medicaid website or, for Medicare, the Social Security website at ssa.gov. They both can provide eligibility requirements, enrollment forms, and additional information.
5. Switch to a different prescription medication
It may be possible to switch to a less expensive generic drug that is FDA-approved to treat angina or high blood pressure. However, the savings may not be that significant when factoring in any trade-offs with effectiveness, side effects, or drug interactions. Always get medical advice from a healthcare professional when considering lower-priced treatment options.
