Prednisone

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on March 5, 2023

Prednisone is a generic medication that’s prescribed for many health conditions involving inflammation and immune responses. Prednisone tablets come as the brand-name drug Rayos. The cost of prednisone can depend on several factors and may be lowered by using a coupon. 

Prednisone is available in these forms: tablet and liquid solution that you swallow.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prednisone to treat inflammation-related or immune-related conditions including:

• allergic disorders, such as allergic reaction
• blood disorders, such as immune thrombocytopenia
• cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma
• collagen disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus
• digestive disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease
• endocrine problems, such as congenital problems affecting the adrenal glands
• eye diseases, such as shingles affecting the eye
• lung disorders, such as pneumonitis
• nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis
• rheumatic disorders, such as gout
• skin disorders, such as psoriasis

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

Cost of prednisone

Like other medications, the cost of prednisone 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 prednisone 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 prednisone” section.

Coupons for prednisone

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

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for prednisone when you use the coupons. These coupons 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 prednisone and cost

Here are some common questions about prednisone and their answers. 

How much does prednisone cost without insurance?

Insurance coverage plays a big role in the amount you pay for prescription drugs. In general, you’ll pay more for drugs, including prednisone, if you don’t have insurance coverage.

Keep in mind, prednisone is a generic drug. Generics are usually less expensive than brand-name versions of the drug. Prednisone tablets come as the brand-name drug Rayos.

If you’re paying out of pocket for prednisone, you may be able to find coupons online to lower the drug’s cost. See the “Coupons for prednisone” section to learn more.

Do prednisone 5-mg tablets cost less than prednisone 20-mg tablets?

Prednisone tablets come in several strengths, which are written in milligrams (mg). These include 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 50 mg. The dosage strength prescribed can affect the cost of prednisone.

However, many factors determine the final amount you’ll pay. Insurance coverage is one of the main factors. Insurance plans may vary in how they cover drugs, such as prednisone, and the copay required.

You can find out how much your prednisone prescription is likely to cost by contacting your insurance provider. Or you can ask someone at your 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 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 costs for 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.

Insurance and other considerations for prednisone

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 prednisone. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for prednisone. 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 cost of the drug.
• Three-month supply. If you’re taking prednisone 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.

Mail-order pharmacies

You can receive certain medications through a mail-order pharmacy. Getting a prescription this way can help lower the drug’s cost. It also means you can receive the drug without leaving your home. Some Medicare plans may cover the cost of mail-order medications.

Generics vs. brand-names

Prednisone is a generic medication. Prednisone tablets come as the brand-name drug Rayos.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. 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 prednisone but you’re interested in taking Rayos, 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 prednisone compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

What to ask about prednisone

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

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can provide more information. You can also reach out to your insurance company.

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

• What is my copay for a prednisone prescription?
• How much will my prescription cost without insurance?
• Does the dosage strength of prednisone prescribed affect its cost?

Resources

• Prednisone-prednisone tablet, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3115aef0-fd50-4ec8-a064-3effb695f3f2/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.