Sorbitol (laxative)

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 11, 2024

Sorbitol (SOR bi tole) is a generic medication that’s available over the counter for treating occasional constipation. Sorbitol is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of sorbitol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about sorbitol and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your medications. To learn more about sorbitol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Cost of sorbitol

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

• your insurance plan, if it covers over-the-counter (OTC) products
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity you use

To find out how much sorbitol costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They 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 sorbitol” section.

Coupons for sorbitol

Drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of sorbitol. 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 sorbitol

Sorbitol 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 a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription and OTC drugs:

• A limited supply: Some insurance providers cover certain OTC drugs. But they may limit the amount you can receive each year. Once you reach this limit for the year, you will likely have to pay full price for sorbitol.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or OTC medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

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

Sorbitol is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what 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 version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for generic drugs vs. brand-name 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 patent and 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.

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients 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 OTC 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.

Resources

• Sorbitol solution, oral. (2018). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ae9a1c12-8662-4f5d-8435-e51dc2b45780/spl-doc
• Sorbitol solution, rectal. (2013). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/debf8549-7369-40e7-a594-bff433a7bbf0/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.