Epsolay, Benzac AC Wash, Benzepro Foaming Cloths, Benzepro Creamy Wash, Zaclir Cleansing, Benzepro, Pr Benzoyl Peroxide Wash

Introduction

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on December 13, 2023

Benzoyl peroxide (BEN zoe il peer OKS ide) is a generic medication that’s available over the counter for treating acne. The brand-name versions of this drug include BenzePrO, Panoxyl, and others. The cost of benzoyl peroxide can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about benzoyl peroxide and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your medication. If you’d like more information about benzoyl peroxide, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of benzoyl peroxide

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

• the pharmacy you use
• the form you purchase
• the quantity you buy

To find out how much benzoyl peroxide costs, ask your pharmacist or check the prices at your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist may be able to suggest ways to save money on your medication, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for benzoyl peroxide” section.

Coupons for benzoyl peroxide

Drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of benzoyl peroxide. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your drug 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 benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, which means you can get it without a prescription. That said, doctors may sometimes prescribe this medication. If that’s the case, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

Here’s something to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, benzoyl peroxide will likely not be covered because it’s available OTC. With some Medicare plans, benzoyl peroxide may be billed through your prescription drug policy. If you have questions, contact your insurance provider.

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

Generics vs. brand-names

Benzoyl peroxide is a generic medication. Some examples of brand-name versions of this drug are BenzePrO and Panoxyl. There are many brand-name products for benzoyl peroxide available, as well as many generic versions made by various companies.

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 thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If you’re interested in taking a brand-name product rather than a generic version of benzoyl peroxide, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may prefer one medication over another.

To learn how the cost of benzoyl peroxide compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about benzoyl peroxide and cost

Here are some common questions about benzoyl peroxide and their answers.

Does benzoyl peroxide topical gel cost less than the drug’s other forms?

Possibly. The final cost you’ll pay for benzoyl peroxide topical gel (product you apply to your skin) will depend on several factors. Examples of these factors include the pharmacy you use to purchase benzoyl peroxide and the form you purchase.

If you have questions about how much benzoyl peroxide gel costs compared with other forms, you can go to your local pharmacy to check or talk with a pharmacist.

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 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.

The same as for prescription drugs, brand-name versions of over-the-counter drugs may be more expensive than generic versions.

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

What to ask about benzoyl peroxide

This article provides cost information related to benzoyl peroxide. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money if your doctor recommends this medication for you. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for benzoyl peroxide.

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 is the lowest cost form of benzoyl peroxide that will treat my condition?
• If I purchase a larger quantity, will my cost for benzoyl peroxide be lower over the course of my treatment?
• Are there other lower cost medications that can treat my condition?

Resources

• Benzoyl peroxide- benzoyl peroxide gel. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7441981a-654d-4f18-be21-66c863ee6d6f/spl-doc
• Benzoyl peroxide- benzoyl peroxide suspension. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8730957f-f051-4aa5-b5ab-3186051b3789/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.