Fenoprofen, Nalfon, Fenortho

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on December 4, 2023

Fenoprofen [fen oh PROE fen] is a generic medication that’s prescribed for pain relief in adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Nalfon. The cost of fenoprofen with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved fenoprofen to relieve the following:

• mild to moderate pain
• signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis

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

Cost of fenoprofen

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

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

To find out how much fenoprofen 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 “Coupons for fenoprofen” section.

Coupons for fenoprofen

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

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 fenoprofen. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for fenoprofen. 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.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking fenoprofen long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

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

Fenoprofen is a generic medication available in the following forms:

• oral capsule: also available in brand-name version Nalfon
• oral tablet: 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.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed fenoprofen, but you’re interested in taking Nalfon, 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 fenoprofen compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about fenoprofen and cost

Here are some common questions about fenoprofen and their answers.  

How does the cost of fenoprofen compare with the cost of ibuprofen?

Like fenoprofen, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that’s used for pain relief. Ibuprofen is available over the counter and by prescription. To find out the cost of these drugs, you can ask your insurance plan representative or your pharmacist.

If you have questions about which drug is best for your condition, ask your doctor or 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.

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 fenoprofen

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

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:

• Does the strength of fenoprofen I take affect its cost?
• Is there another drug to treat my condition that costs less than fenoprofen?
• What options do I have if I’m unable to afford my medication?

Resources

• Fenoprofen calcium capsules, USP for oral use. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3d1a539c-f819-4df6-bb8d-093a0fb29650/spl-doc
• Fenoprofen calcium tablet, film coated. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ff61a1d1-4c51-4253-ac85-fba71174ed4f/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.