Amoxicillin

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on March 14, 2023

Amoxicillin is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. It’s not available in a brand-name version. The cost of amoxicillin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.  

Amoxicillin is available in these forms: oral capsule, oral tablet, and oral liquid suspension that you swallow, as well as a chewable tablet. Your pharmacist will mix the oral suspension for you.

Read on to learn about amoxicillin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about amoxicillin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of amoxicillin

Like other medications, the cost of amoxicillin can vary. Certain things may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much amoxicillin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for amoxicillin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of amoxicillin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Common questions about amoxicillin and cost

Here are some common questions about amoxicillin and their answers. 

How much does amoxicillin cost without insurance?

In general, the amount you’ll pay for a drug, including amoxicillin, is higher when you don’t use insurance. But amoxicillin is a generic drug. Generic drugs tend to be less expensive than brand-name drugs.

If you don’t have insurance, you may be able to find online coupons to help with the cost of amoxicillin. See the “Coupons for amoxicillin” section.

You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Is there a cost difference between amoxicillin 500 mg and the drug’s other strengths?

Amoxicillin is available in different forms and strengths. The oral tablets and oral capsules are available in 500-milligram (mg) strengths and others too.

The amount you’ll pay for an amoxicillin prescription depends on several factors. These may include dosage strength and insurance coverage. Each insurance plan may cover amoxicillin differently and charge different copays for the medication.

Contact your insurance provider or pharmacy to learn what you’ll likely pay for an amoxicillin prescription.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test their safety and effectiveness. (Note: Amoxicillin doesn’t come in a brand-name version.)

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. These versions are identical copies of the active drug in brand-name medications. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition usually helps keep costs for generic medications lower. Because generics are made from the same active drugs as brand-name medications, they don’t require the same testing. And testing can be costly.

Ask your doctor if you’d like to know more about the cost difference between brand-name and generic drugs.

Insurance and other considerations for amoxicillin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription medications:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of amoxicillin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your amoxicillin prescription. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you take it without this, you may have to pay its full price.
• Insurance coverage. Even if you have prescription drug insurance, the price of amoxicillin may be billed through your medical coverage instead. This is because you might receive it at a doctor’s office or a hospital. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Amoxicillin is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Amoxicillin is based on the brand-name version Amoxil, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re considered to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

What to ask about amoxicillin

This article provides cost information related to amoxicillin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for amoxicillin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will my dosage of amoxicillin affect its cost?
• Is one form of amoxicillin less expensive than the others?
• What are my options if I can’t afford amoxicillin?

Resources

• Amoxicillin- amoxicillin capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f4c36acc-828d-323b-e053-2a95a90a4d1c/spl-doc
• Amoxicillin- amoxicillin powder, for suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1dc5cc5a-59ba-4bc9-b581-cb7b70ce2652/spl-doc
• Amoxicillin- amoxicillin tablet, chewable. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/52e676e4-b70e-4e73-bbe7-f54d91ca7e0a/spl-doc
• Amoxicillin- amoxicillin tablet, coated. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b397d4be-d2ef-419a-98ac-844069c99d56/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.