How much is Nucynta ER (tapentadol) without insurance?

Is Nucynta ER covered by insurance? | How much does Nucynta ER cost without insurance? | How to get Nucynta ER without insurance

Nucynta ER is a brand-name extended-release opioid pain reliever. Doctors prescribe it to treat chronic, severe pain or nerve pain due to diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy). Doses vary, but the medication is usually prescribed to be taken every 12 hours. The active ingredient is extended-release tapentadol. Like other opioid receptor agonists, it works by blocking pain signals to the brain. Tapentadol is not currently available in a generic version. Since it can only be purchased as a brand-name drug, people without insurance may have to pay a premium price.

What is the generic for Nucynta ER (tapentadol)?

Nucynta ER is the brand name. There is no generic Nucynta (the immediate-release formulation) or generic Nucynta ER currently available.

Is Nucynta ER covered by insurance?

Some health insurance plans and Medicaid plans may cover Nucynta ER. The insurance plans that do cover Nucynta ER may place restrictions on Nucynta ER, including prior authorization and quantity limits. Most put the drug in their highest copay tiers.

How much does Nucynta ER cost without insurance?

People without insurance coverage for Nucynta ER will pay an average retail price of $1,260 for 60, 100 mg extended-release tablets. That’s enough medicine to cover 30 days of treatment. Each tablet will cost about $20.

There are less costly treatment options. The healthcare provider can prescribe generic opioid analgesics. Long-acting formulations include OxyContin (oxycodone ER), Duragesic (fentanyl transdermal patches), generic MS Contin (morphine sulfate ER), generic ConZip (tramadol ER), generic Hysingla (hydrocodone ER), hydromorphone ER, and oxymorphone ER. These more affordable generics are also FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe pain, chronic pain, or diabetic neuropathic pain. Like Nucynta ER, they are Schedule II controlled substances with potentially severe side effects such as opioid dependence, respiratory depression, and severe colon dysfunction (paralytic ileus).

The prescriber can suggest several types of non-opioid pain medications. These are generally preferred as pain medicines. Eventually, many people taking opioid analgesics will have to transition to these alternative pain treatments to avoid the risks of opioid use. Alternative pain medicines include prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Tylenol (acetaminophen), and nerve blocks. Diabetic nerve pain can also be treated with the anticonvulsants gabapentin or pregabalin, or a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline. Nonmedicinal treatment for pain includes physical therapy, spinal cord stimulation, acupuncture, and radiowave therapy.

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 Nucynta ER (tapentadol) without insurance

With a retail price exceeding $1,200 a month, it helps to know a few tips to save money on a Nucynta ER prescription. The first place to start is a free SingleCare prescription discount card.

1. Use a savings card from SingleCare

The lowest SingleCare discount price for a 30-day supply of Nucynta ER tablets is $1,144, a savings of over $100 off the average retail price. SingleCare discount prices will vary based on participating pharmacies. SingleCare’s Nucynta ER coupon page provides a list of discounts that can be found at local pharmacies. 

2. Look for the lowest price

Most people don’t know that pharmacy prices for the same prescription can vary widely. This is particularly true for premium-priced medications like Nucynta ER. The highest pharmacy price for Nucynta ER is about $1,420, almost $200 higher than the average price. So it pays to compare prices before filling a prescription. Just be sure that if you fill prescriptions at more than one pharmacy, you provide the pharmacist with a list of the medications you take as well as any allergies to medications. 

3. Get health insurance 

If pain is a chronic, long-term problem, consider health insurance. It will take some calculating, but it may turn out to be the cheapest option in the long run. Not all insurance plans will cover Nucynta ER, so make sure to get help from an agent to check drug coverage.

4. Apply for Medicaid 

People with eligible incomes should consider Medicaid, especially for long-term conditions. Unfortunately, Nucynta ER may not be covered by available Medicaid plans. Still, other opioid analgesics will be covered. Visit your state’s Medicaid website for more information.

5. Get medical advice about other opioid analgesics

Opioids are not exactly interchangeable, but it’s worth discussing options with the prescribing healthcare provider. Many generic opioids are much less costly than brand-name Nucynta ER. 

6. Get medical advice about nonopioid analgesics

Opioids are not intended for long-term use because of the risk of dependency and severe side effects. Eventually, other pain medications will need to be used instead. Have that discussion sooner rather than later with the prescribing healthcare professional. Most non-opioid treatment options can be purchased as lower-cost generic drugs. Most will not have common opioid side effects such as drowsiness and constipation.