Sulindac

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on January 12, 2024

Sulindac (SUL in dak) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain types of arthritis and other conditions. It’s not available in a brand-name version. The cost of sulindac 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 sulindac for the relief of signs and symptoms of:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gout
• ankylosing spondylitis
• painful shoulder due to bursitis or tendonitis

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

Cost of sulindac

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

Coupons for sulindac

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

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 sulindac. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for sulindac. 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 sulindac 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.
• 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 over-the-counter (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

Sulindac 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.) Sulindac is based on the brand-name version Clinoril, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Common questions about sulindac and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about sulindac.  

How does the cost of sulindac compare with the cost of ibuprofen or tramadol?

Ibuprofen and tramadol are both drugs that treat pain. Their prices can vary depending on whether you’re using insurance or paying cash. Insurance companies can vary in how they cover these two drugs. They may cover one of the drugs and not the other. Or they may cover both of them but charge a higher copay for one of them.

The price can also vary if you use a brand-name product or a generic product. Both ibuprofen and tramadol are generic medications. This can save you money if you’re paying out of your own pocket. Insurance companies usually have a lower copay for generics. Tramadol also has some brand-name versions, but using these will likely cost more.

If you’d like to know more about how the cost of sulindac compares with that of ibuprofen and tramadol, talk with 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 without anyone else making their drug. 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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. 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 sulindac

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

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:

• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• How does the cash price of sulindac compare with my insurance copay?
• What are my options if I’m unable to afford my medications?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Sulindac- sulindac tablet. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0feabf47-8d0d-48c0-b263-43db4969f39e/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.