How Much Is Arazlo Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Arazlo (tazarotene) is a prescription topical lotion used to treat and prevent acne for people ages 9 and older.
Without insurance, 1 tube of Arazlo (45 g of 0.045% lotion) can cost an average of $649.78. You could pay as little as $522.05 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
Arazlo’s manufacturer offers a copay card for most commercially insured consumers that can drop what you pay out of pocket for Arazlo to $0 after your prescription plan deductible is met. This savings card is accepted at Walgreens and participating independent pharmacies.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Arazlo, a brand name for tazarotene lotion, is a prescription retinoid used to treat and prevent acne. This treatment can be used by adults and children who are at least 9 years old and should be applied to the affected area(s) once a day. Thoroughly wash your face and pat it dry before use. Also wash your hands after applying the lotion.
Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that boost cell turnover and healing, which works via Arazlo to clear skin and reduce inflammation. Retinoids for acne come in different forms, including pills, gels, creams, and more.
Arazlo should start to work after using it daily for a couple of weeks. The side effects of Arazlo include dry skin, peeling skin, and stinging/burning of the skin. People who are pregnant shouldn’t use Arazlo.
The cost of Arazlo depends on several factors, including whether you have health insurance that covers this medication. If your health insurance doesn’t cover Arazlo, a GoodRx coupon can lower your cost at certain pharmacies.
Arazlo basics
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about Arazlo.
Arazlo basics
| Brand name | Arazlo |
| Form | Lotion |
| FDA-approved use | Topical treatment for acne vulgaris |
| Benefits |
|
| Possible side effects |
|
Is Arazlo covered by insurance?
Some health insurance plans cover brand-name Arazlo. Nearly all Medicaid plans and about half of commercial plans, including those purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) marketplace, provide coverage for this acne treatment.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether brand-name Arazlo 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.
How insurance covers Arazlo
The following chart shows the likelihood of coverage for Arazlo, based on the type of insurance plan.
If covered, there’s a higher likelihood than with most medications that your health insurance plan will require enrollees to get prior authorization or do step therapy.
How acne shows up: Bumps from clogged pores, pimples, nodules, and cysts are among the ways acne presents itself on your skin.
Understanding what works for different types of acne: Learn about the types of acne and the treatments that are available, including prescription and over-the-counter options.
Ways to get rid of acne: In addition to prescription medication and over-the-counter treatments, lifestyle changes such as skin care and a skin-healthy diet can help clear your acne.
Insurance coverage for Arazlo (45 g of 0.045%)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Arazlo, 1 tube of lotion | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial plans (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 47% | 27.6% | 12.8% |
43.3% | 39.1% | 29.3% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 7.3% | 7.3% | 1.2% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 98.5% | 88.5% | 23.5% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of April 14, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover Arazlo, you still have options:
Ask your prescriber about switching to a less-costly topical retinoid that meets your needs, such as a lower-cost generic acne medication.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company to have Arazlo 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.
When it’s time for open enrollment, compare different health insurance plans to find one that provides the coverage you need.
How much does Arazlo cost without insurance?
Without insurance, what you pay for Arazlo depends on several factors, including your:
Specific pharmacy
Geographic location
Fill quantity
The following table shows what you might pay for Arazlo as a cash-pay consumer.
Arazlo costs
Arazlo form and dose | Average cash price |
|---|---|
1 tube of lotion (45 g of 0.045%) |
Ways to save on Arazlo without insurance
Arazlo 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 can use a free GoodRx coupon to lower the price of your Arazlo prescription at your pharmacy. For example, without insurance, you could pay as low as $522.05 for 1 tube of Arazlo (45 g of 0.045% lotion) with a GoodRx coupon at certain pharmacies. Visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device to get and use a coupon today. Here’s how to do so:
On the app or website, type “Arazlo” in the search field.
Choose the desired quantity. Input your ZIP code or address, or select “Use my current location” so the results show local pharmacies.
Choose how to receive your coupon (printed, emailed, or texted).
Take your coupon with you to the pharmacy. You can also present the coupon to the pharmacy staff early in the filling process to avoid delays at the pickup counter.
2. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx lets you easily compare Arazlo costs at different pharmacies in your area. You might find it’s worth traveling a bit further to get a discounted price.
3. Try manufacturer savings programs
You may be able to save more money on Arazlo and other medications using a manufacturer savings card at Walgreens and participating independent pharmacies. Most consumers with commercial insurance that covers this medication — and who have met their deductibles — can use this coupon to potentially pay $0 for their first Arazlo prescription and eligible refills.
When Arazlo is not covered by your commercial insurance, most people who qualify for the manufacturer’s savings program will pay as little as a $90 copay on the first fill and eligible refills.
4. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
Arazlo isn’t the only topical retinoid available. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost options that may adequately treat your condition.
5. Use tax-advantaged healthcare funds
Consider using a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to cover your medication. These types of accounts have multiple tax benefits when used to pay for healthcare. This can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings. Review your account’s contribution limits, rollover limits, and eligible expenses.
The bottom line
Arazlo (tazarotene) is a prescription-only topical lotion used to treat and prevent acne in adults and children ages 9 and older. The cost of Arazlo depends on factors such as the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage status. If you don’t have insurance, the average price of Arazlo is $649.78, but you could pay as little as $522.05 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
If you have insurance but your plan doesn’t cover Arazlo, you could still save money by using a GoodRx coupon. If you have commercial insurance, you could also pay less with the manufacturer’s saving coupon at Walgreens and participating independent pharmacies — whether your plan covers Arazlo or not. Other ways to save include using funds from a tax-advantaged healthcare account, asking your prescriber about cost-effective alternatives, and shopping around at different pharmacies.
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 April 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 the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
Ortho Dermatologics. (n.d.). Ortho Dermatologics Rx Access Program.
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