Key takeaways:
Alrex (loteprednol) is a corticosteroid eye drop that treats allergic conjunctivitis, also known as eye allergies. These prescription-only drops are intended for short-term use to reduce redness, itching, and swelling in the eyes. A generic version is also available.
Without insurance, a 5 mL bottle of brand-name Alrex 0.2% eye drops costs an average of $380.12. Getting the generic version can help you save. You could pay as little as $80.50 for a 5 mL bottle of generic loteprednol 0.2% with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
Alrex is no longer included in the Bausch + Lomb Access Program, a copay savings card program for people with commercial insurance. But savings are still available to qualified applicants who have experienced financial or insurance hardships through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program.
Save on related medications
Seasonal allergies can come with uncomfortable symptoms ranging from sinus pressure to red and itchy eyes. For people suffering from allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), Alrex (loteprednol) may provide relief. This prescription-only eye drop is a corticosteroid (“steroid”) medication intended for short-term use to reduce eye redness, swelling, and itching.
Though Alrex may help minimize your symptoms, it can be pricey if you don’t have insurance. You can likely save by using the generic version of these allergy eye drops.
How much does Alrex cost without insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, Alrex can cost more than $300 per bottle. The table below shows the average retail prices for the most commonly prescribed quantity and dose of Alrex and its generic version.
Brand-Name and Generic Alrex Costs
Dose and quantity | Average retail price |
Alrex 0.2%, 5 mL bottle | |
Loteprednol 0.2%, 5 mL bottle |
What factors affect the cost of Alrex?
Without insurance, what you’ll pay for Alrex depends on several factors, including your:
Pharmacy: Pharmacies set their own prices, so where you fill your prescription matters.
Location: Prescription medication costs can vary by geographic location, as well.
Choice of brand name versus generic: A generic medication typically costs less than its brand-name counterpart. So you’ll likely spend less if you opt for generic loteprednol instead of Alrex.
Is Alrex covered by insurance?
Nearly all Medicaid plans cover Alrex. Some commercial insurance plans, including those purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, also cover these eye drops. Medicare prescription plans are least likely to cover the medication.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether Alrex is covered. If not, contact your prescription plan provider and ask about your coverage options. You can also discuss alternatives with your prescriber or a pharmacist.
More than one-third of Medicaid enrollees and people with ACA plans who fill a prescription for Alrex are required to get prior authorization. About 1 in 4 people with Medicaid or ACA coverage have to do step therapy (trying other medications first).
How insurance covers Alrex
The following chart shows the likelihood of having coverage — as well as prior authorization and step therapy requirements — for Alrex, based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance Coverage for Brand-Name Alrex
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Alrex 0.2% eye drops | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial plans (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 57.9% | 15.5% | 8.1% |
47.5% | 37.8% | 25.5% | |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans) | 14.3% | 0% | 1.7% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 42.1% | 24.3% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover Alrex, you still have options:
Ask your pharmacist if they’re able to dispense you the generic version of Alrex, loteprednol, using your current prescription. In most cases, pharmacists can make this switch without needing to contact a prescriber.
Ask your prescriber about Alrex alternatives. Some options may cost less than Alrex and its generic version.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company to get Alrex covered. If your request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with your plan.
Use a GoodRx coupon to save on your prescription.
Relief from eye pain: Learn how corticosteroid drops can reduce inflammation and protect your vision.
Artificial tears vs. redness-reducing eye drops: Here’s what to consider when deciding between these different types of over-the-counter eye medications.
Seeing red? Here are possible causes for your bloodshot eyes.
Ways to save on Alrex without insurance
Without savings, Alrex may be a stretch for your budget. Whether or not you have insurance, there are ways to reduce the cost. Here are five options.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
You may be able to use a free GoodRx coupon to lower the price of your Alrex prescription. For example, without insurance, you could pay as little as $308.85 for a 5 mL bottle of brand-name Alrex 0.2% eye drops using a GoodRx coupon.
As mentioned, there is also a generic version of Alrex available. Generic versions of medications typically cost less than their brand-name counterparts. You could pay as little as $80.50 for 5 mL of generic loteprednol 0.2% with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
Visit www.goodrx.com or the GoodRx app to download and use a coupon today. Here’s how:
On the app or website, type “Alrex” in the search field. You can select “Alrex (brand)” for the brand-name medication or “Alrex (generic)” for the generic version.
Choose the desired quantity (i.e., 5 mL or 10 mL). Enter your ZIP code or address, or select “Use my current location,” so you see results for local pharmacies.
Choose how to receive your coupon. You may want it emailed or texted to you, or you may want to print it out.
Take your coupon with you to the pharmacy. You can also present the coupon to the pharmacy’s staff early in the filling process to avoid delays at the pickup counter.
2. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx lets you easily compare Alrex prices at different pharmacies in your area. You might find it’s worth traveling a bit farther to get a lower price.
3. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
Alrex isn’t the only steroid eye drop that’s available to treat symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost options that may adequately treat your condition. You can also ask about the generic version of Alrex, which usually costs less than the brand-name medication.
4. Try a patient assistance program
Alrex is included in the Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program, which provides free medication to qualified applicants. You may be eligible if you have experienced financial or insurance hardships, such as not having adequate coverage or not being able to afford copays. You must also be a legal U.S. resident. If you qualify, you could receive free Alrex for up to a year, with an option to renew annually.
5. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
Consider using a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to pay for your medication. You can enjoy multiple tax benefits when you use funds from an FSA, an HSA, or an HRA to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. This can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings. Be sure to review your account’s contribution limits, rollover limits, and eligible expenses.
The bottom line
Alrex (loteprednol) is a prescription-only corticosteroid eye drop that treats allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies). A generic version is also available and usually costs less than the brand-name medication.
Without insurance, a 5 mL bottle of brand-name Alrex 0.2% costs an average of $380.12. You could pay as little as $308.85 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies. Or you could pay as little as $80.50 for a 5 mL bottle of generic loteprednol 0.2% with a GoodRx coupon.
You can also apply for the Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program, which provides free medication to qualified individuals who have experienced financial or insurance hardships. Using a tax-advantaged healthcare account to pay for Alrex is another way to save.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of December 6, 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program. (n.d.). Find out if you may be eligible to apply to the Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program.
Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program. (n.d.). Is your product included in the program?
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
