Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Cephalexin isn’t available in a brand-name version. The cost of cephalexin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Cephalexin is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Cephalexin isn’t available in a brand-name version. The cost of cephalexin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 500mg
- • 40 Capsules
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on April 14, 2023
Cephalexin is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Cephalexin isn’t available in a brand-name version. The cost of cephalexin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Cephalexin is available in these forms: capsule, tablet, and liquid suspension that you swallow.
Read on to learn about cephalexin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about cephalexin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
Cost
Cost of cephalexin
Like other medications, the cost of cephalexin 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 cephalexin 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 “Coupons for cephalexin” section.
Coupons
Coupons for cephalexin
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of cephalexin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with 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
Insurance and other considerations for cephalexin
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 cephalexin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for cephalexin. 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 for the drug.
- Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of cephalexin may instead be billed through your medical coverage. That’s because cephalexin doses are 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Cephalexin 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. Cephalexin is based on the brand-name version Keflex, which is no longer available.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re considered as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Common questions about cephalexin and cost
Here are some common questions about cephalexin and their answers.
Is there a cost difference between cephalexin 500 mg and the drug’s other strengths?
It’s possible. Cephalexin comes in several forms and milligram (mg) strengths. The capsule and tablet are available in 250 mg and 500 mg strengths. The liquid suspension also comes in two strengths: 125 mg per 5 milliliters (mL) and 250 mg/5 mL.
There are many factors that play a role in the final cost of a prescription. The dosage strength and form may be one of them. But insurance coverage is often the main factor. Insurance plans may cover cephalexin but may charge different copays for it.
You can find out how much your cephalexin prescription is likely to cost by contacting your insurance provider or pharmacy.
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.
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.
Ask your doctor if you’d like to know more about the cost difference between brand-name and generic drugs.
What to ask
What to ask about cephalexin
This article provides cost information related to cephalexin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for cephalexin.
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:
- What will my copay be for this cephalexin prescription?
- Would a different form or strength of cephalexin change my cost?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
Resources
- Cephalexin — cephalexin capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/af10128f-021a-14b7-e053-2a95a90a4365/spl-doc
- Cephalexin, cephalexin for suspension. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/25ef498a-7a7e-4543-a544-b9d0e99f9cd9/spl-doc
- Cephalexin — cephalexin tablet. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/445b2a87-2e4f-483a-abe8-26fefd67514a/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.
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