Zembrace Symtouch, Onzetra Xsail, Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose, Sumatriptan

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on October 26, 2023

Sumatriptan is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating migraine. The brand-name versions of this drug are Imitrex, Onzetra Xsail, Tosymra, and Zembrace SymTouch. The cost of sumatriptan with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Sumatriptan comes in these forms: a tablet that you swallow, a nasal spray, and an injection given subcutaneously (just under the skin).

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sumatriptan to treat migraine with or without an aura in adults. The injectable form of sumatriptan is also approved for the acute treatment of cluster headaches in adults.

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

Price of sumatriptan

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to purchase syringes to use with some forms of injectable sumatriptan

To find out how much sumatriptan 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 following section.

Coupons for sumatriptan

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

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 sumatriptan. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for sumatriptan. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking or using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking or using sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

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

Common questions about sumatriptan and cost

Here are some common questions about sumatriptan and their answers.

How much does sumatriptan cost without insurance?

The cost of sumatriptan without insurance will depend on several factors, including the pharmacy you use and whether you qualify for any coupons. If you have questions about how much sumatriptan will cost, talk with your 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.

What to ask about sumatriptan

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

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 are the different costs for generic sumatriptan and brand-name versions?
• Will my cost be less if you prescribe a higher quantity of sumatriptan?
• Are there other medications that can treat migraine that cost less?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Sumatriptan injection, for subcutaneous use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c009976a-4e29-4aeb-9e55-a88766ebb1fb/spl-doc
• Sumatriptan nasal spray. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/267dadc1-6960-4d8b-88ef-86be9c5f7159/spl-doc
• Sumatriptan tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9a7bd628-4909-4d7d-8285-900cedbcc62f/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.