Azithromycin

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on April 13, 2023

Azithromycin is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. The brand-name version of this drug is Zithromax. Azithromycin’s cost with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Azithromycin comes in the following forms for swallowing:

• oral tablet
• bottle of powder that your pharmacist will mix with water to make a liquid suspension
• packet of powder that you’ll mix with water before swallowing as a single dose

Azithromycin also comes in a form for intravenous (IV) infusion at a hospital or infusion center.

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

Cost of azithromycin

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive doses of azithromycin

To find out how much azithromycin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to 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 azithromycin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of azithromycin. 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.

Insurance and other considerations for azithromycin

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

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of azithromycin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for azithromycin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of azithromycin may instead be billed through your medical coverage. That’s because azithromycin doses may be given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. 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

Azithromycin is a generic medication. It’s available as the brand-name drug Zithromax.

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

If your doctor has prescribed azithromycin but you’re interested in taking Zithromax, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of azithromycin compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about azithromycin and cost

Here are some common questions about azithromycin and their answers.  

How much does azithromycin cost without insurance?

Usually, the amount you’ll pay for prescription drugs will be higher if you don’t have insurance coverage. But azithromycin is a generic drug. A generic drug is generally a more affordable option than the brand-name drug. This is true even without insurance.

If you don’t have insurance, you might be able to find coupons online to help pay for your azithromycin prescription. See the “Coupons for azithromycin” section.

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

The cost may vary with the form and strength of azithromycin prescribed. But it shouldn’t be a major difference. Oral forms of the drug include a tablet and a powder that’s mixed with water.

Azithromycin tablets come in three strengths: 250 milligrams (mg), 500 mg, and 600 mg. The powder comes in several strengths ranging from 100 mg to 1,000 mg.

Other factors, including insurance coverage, may also affect the price of your prescription. Insurance plans cover drugs differently. For example, the copay they charge may vary across different plans.

Contact your pharmacy or insurance provider. They can tell you how much you can expect to pay for your azithromycin 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 how safe and effective they are.

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. 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.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about azithromycin

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

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 azithromycin affect the cost?
• Is it cheaper to pay out of pocket for azithromycin or use my insurance?
• Are drugs with a lower cost available that could treat my condition?

Resources

• Azithromycin- azithromycin monohydrate tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/89a8e05f-b60c-4b8f-96c4-d49222163fbc/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.