Xanax XR, Xanax, Alprazolam Intensol

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on April 23, 2023

Alprazolam is a generic medication that’s prescribed for anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The brand-name version of this drug is Xanax. The cost of alprazolam with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Alprazolam is available in these forms: tablet, extended-release tablet, and liquid solution. (An extended-release tablet slowly releases the drug over time after you take a dose.) You’ll take these forms by swallowing. Alprazolam also comes as a tablet that dissolves inside your mouth.

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

Cost of alprazolam

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

Coupons for alprazolam

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

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

Alprazolam is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Xanax.

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 alprazolam, but you’re interested in taking Xanax, 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 alprazolam compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about alprazolam and cost

Here are some common questions about alprazolam and their answers.  

Is there a cost difference between different strengths of alprazolam, such as 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg?

Alprazolam comes in several forms and strengths. Tablets that you swallow and tablets that melt inside your mouth are available in these strengths:

• 0.25 milligrams (mg)
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg
• 2 mg

The strength and form of alprazolam may affect what you’ll pay for your prescription. But other factors affect the drug’s cost, too. This includes insurance coverage as plans can vary in drug coverage and copays charged.

To learn what you can expect to pay for your alprazolam prescription, contact 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 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.

This competition may help keep the 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.

Ask your doctor if you’d like to know more about the cost difference between brand-name and generic drugs.

What to ask about alprazolam

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

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 my copay for alprazolam?
• Is there a cost difference between alprazolam tablets that are swallowed and the ones that melt inside the mouth?
• How can I lower my cost for alprazolam?

Resources

• Alprazolam solution, concentrate. (2023). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b945ac6f-796e-41ef-85e9-61007e4a4e9a
• Alprazolam tablet. (2023). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2fd0b3e-9b78-44d0-82a6-96d6c6238750
• Alprazolam tablet, extended- (2023). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=326fa31a-5420-429b-9f7f-170cb38f64bd
• Alprazolam tablet, orally disintegrating. (2022). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5ceed721-2e65-4c81-bd84-f110b1ac9d2e

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.