How Much is Herpes Medication Without Insurance?
The average cost of genital herpes ranges between $23.77 and $818.06. Treatment of genital herpes refers to treating the symptoms and because there is no cure for genital herpes, treating symptoms is a continuous process. There are many additional costs to consider, including lab testing, antiviral medications, and preventative measures.
Popular Antiviral Medications to Treat Herpes
The cost of antiviral medication to treat genital herpes varies based on the specific antiviral you are prescribed and choose to use. The average cost of brand-name antiviral for a 30-tablet supply is $545.45, compared to $116.72 for generic retail prices. Valacyclovir appears to be the most expensive of the three antivirals, whereas Acyclovir is the least costly.
Antiviral | Brand Name | Generic Brand |
|---|---|---|
Acyclovir | $272.84 | $23.77 |
Famciclovir | N/A | $164.24 |
Valacyclovir | $818.06 | $162.15 |
Average Cost | $545.45 | $116.72 |
What are the additional costs of treating Genital Herpes?
There are a few other costs to consider when estimating the cost of treating genital herpes. These include the initial STI testing and condoms as a barrier method to reduce the risk of STI transmission.
What factors Influence the Cost of Treating Genital Herpes?
One’s total cost of treatment will vary based on insurance status, the prescribed antiviral, where they receive their prescription, and planned sexual activity. It is important to remember that some people only take antiviral medication when actively experiencing an outbreak. In contrast, some continue to take the medication every day despite not currently experiencing an outbreak.
Insurance Status
One’s prescriptions may or may not be covered depending on their insurance provider. If one has insurance that covers prescriptions, they will only have to worry about the co-pay. If one is not insured, they’ll be paying for the prescription out-of-pocket, and this price will fluctuate for many reasons, the main being where they’re picking up their prescription. Additionally, not all medications are covered on one’s insurance plan. It is important to speak with a representative about which medications are covered and which are not.
Prescribed Antiviral
The cost of antivirals ranges between $23.77 and $818.06, based on the type of drug and if it is generic or brand name. The generic version of a prescription drug can sometimes cost up to 80 percent less than the brand-name version. Both will contain the same active ingredient and hold the same efficacy rates at treating conditions intended to treat. Generic drugs are evaluated by the FDA, just as brand-name drugs are. Other differences include inactive ingredients and appearance.
Pharmacy Location
Where one gets their prescription filled could largely influence total costs. Without insurance, one will be paying out-of-pocket for their prescription. For this reason, it would be best to “shop” around to ensure one is getting the most affordable prescription option.
Try the MiraRX savings calculator to assist in locating the most affordable rates for one’s prescription. This tool will help one see the cost difference between pharmacies in specified locations. Many pharmacies will also have different promotions and memberships to help one obtain discounts for lower prescription costs.
Planned Sexual Activity
The price of condoms should be considered when speaking about herpes. If one plans to be sexually active with known genital herpes, using this type of birth control is strongly recommended. The average cost for a single condom is $1; therefore, the total cost will depend on sexual activity over time.
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Kendra Bean is from Maui, Hawaiʻi. She is currently enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, specializing in Epidemiology. She is passionate about improving health literacy and access to care, specifically in rural areas.