How much is Augmentin (amoxicillin-pot clavulanate) without insurance?

Is amoxicillin-pot clavulanate covered by insurance? | How much does amoxicillin-pot clavulanate cost without insurance? | How to get amoxicillin-pot clavulanate without insurance

Amoxicillin-clavulanate—or “amoxiclav” for short—is a commonly prescribed antibiotic that treats bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, skin infections, ear infections, and urinary tract infections. Like all antibiotics, amoxicillin-clavulanate is unsuitable for viral infections like the common cold or mononucleosis. Amoxicillin is a type of penicillin antibiotic that kills bacteria. Clavulanate potassium, also called potassium clavulanate or clavulanic acid, is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that blocks the defenses of penicillin-resistant bacteria. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a moderately-priced drug that is usually prescribed for only a few days, so the total out-of-pocket cost will be modest.

What is the brand name/generic for amoxicillin-pot clavulanate?

Augmentin is the brand-name version of amoxicillin-clavulanate, Augmentin ES-600 is the oral suspension version, and Augmentin XR is the extended-release tablet. Brand-name Augmentin can cost several times more than generic amoxicillin-clavulanate. However, don’t worry if a healthcare professional hands you a prescription for Augmentin. The pharmacist typically fills it with generic Augmentin, particularly if health insurance is involved.

Is amoxicillin-pot clavulanate covered by insurance?

Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a commonly-prescribed antibiotic that is FDA-approved for various common bacterial infections. It is typically covered by health insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid. Most insurance plans place amoxicillin-clavulanate in their lowest copay tiers, even the chewable tablets and oral solution versions. Though the copay should be low, other factors will influence the final out-of-pocket cost, including any co-insurance or coverage gaps.

How much does amoxicillin-pot clavulanate cost without insurance?

Without insurance coverage, the average retail price for 20, 875-125 mg tablets of amoxicillin-clavulanate will cost about $86, or $4 per pill. Most bacterial infections require two tablets to be taken daily, but pneumonia requires three. So for most infections, expect 20 tablets to last 10 days, a typical timetable for amoxicillin treatment. 

If paying for the prescription is challenging, ask for medical advice from the prescribing healthcare provider. Keep in mind that healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics they believe are most appropriate for the infection. Alternative antibiotics may not be a wise choice. They will also have different adverse effects and drug interactions. 

First on the list of alternatives is amoxicillin without clavulanic acid (brand name: Amoxil). It’s about $3 cheaper per pill, but not necessarily a good choice. The clavulanic acid is there because some bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin alone. 

Depending on the infection, other cheaper alternatives include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim), azithromycin, and cephalexin. Other common alternative antibiotics, such as levofloxacin, doxycycline, and cefdinir, are more expensive. No over-the-counter medications or supplements can effectively substitute for prescription antibiotics.

The cheapest alternative would be to purchase generic antibiotics with a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare discount price for 20 amoxicillin-clavulanate tablets is only $7—about 35 cents per tablet.

RELATED: Amoxicillin alternatives: What can I take instead of amoxicillin? 

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 “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.

How to get amoxicillin-pot clavulanate without insurance

Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a short-term and modestly-priced prescription. Seven or 10 days of twice-daily doses are required for most infections. However, even a short-term prescription could be a financial drain, so it helps to know that the retail price can be significantly lowered with a few simple strategies. 

1. Get steep discounts on generic drugs with SingleCare 

A free coupon from SingleCare could reduce the cost of amoxicillin-clavulanate by as much as $80 off the average retail price. That’s $7 for a 10-day supply or less than fifty cents per tablet. Discount prices will vary by participating pharmacy, so shop available discounts at local pharmacies using SingleCare’s amoxicillin-pot clavulanate coupons page. After browsing discount prices, continue to the FAQs section to discover more savings and drug information.

2. Look for the lowest price 

The average retail price without insurance for amoxicillin-clavulanate is $86 for 20 tablets, but not all prices are the same at each pharmacy. Simply finding the lowest pharmacy price in your area could reduce the price significantly.

3. Ask the prescriber about other antibiotics

It may be possible to switch to a cheaper antibiotic safely. If amoxicillin can be taken, a 10-day supply could cost as little as 40 cents with a SingleCare savings card. Other antibiotics, such as cephalosporins or macrolide antibiotics, can also be used instead of amoxicillin to treat certain bacterial infections.

4. Talk to a local healthcare official

It may be possible to get low-cost or even free amoxicillin-clavulanate tablets or other needed antibiotics at community health clinics or local 340B providers. Talk to a local health department official to direct you to community health clinics or other available services.

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