How Much is Azithromycin Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an FDA-approved antibiotic used for treating mild-to-moderate bacterial infections in adults and children age 6 months and older.
Most insurance plans cover azithromycin, with Medicaid covering the highest percentage of enrollees. If you’re paying out of pocket, you can download a GoodRx coupon to save money.
Without insurance, the average cost for 6 tablets of 250 mg azithromycin may cost around $26.83. For Zithromax, the brand-name version of azithromycin, you can expect to pay about $72.93 for the same dose and quantity.
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Table of contents
Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic. It is FDA approved to treat bacterial infections, including sinus infections, ear infections, and pneumonia.
Azithromycin works by preventing the growth of certain bacteria in adults and children age 6 and older. But antibiotics like azithromycin don’t work for colds, the flu, and other virus-related illnesses.
Generally, azithromycin is taken once a day by mouth as a tablet or a liquid. The tablets are often prescribed in a popular prepackaged form known as a Z-Pak. The medication is also available as eye drops (AzaSite) or as an injection given by a healthcare professional.
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Your recommended dosage of azithromycin treatment will depend on the type and severity of the illness being treated. Some infections require only one dose, while others require several days of treatment.
How much does azithromycin cost?
Without insurance, the average cash price for six tablets of 250 mg azithromycin is $26.83. For the same quantity and dose of the brand-name version, the cost is about $72.93.
The exact price you pay for azithromycin may vary based on several factors, including:
The state you live in
The prescription dose, quantity, and form
The pharmacy you select
The availability of coupons, discounts, or insurance
Whether you choose a brand-name or generic version of the medication
The table below shows the average retail price for different quantities, forms, and doses of brand-name and generic azithromycin. Dosages range from 250 mg to 1 g, but the standard Z-Pak dosage contains six 250 mg tablets taken over 5 days. For children, the recommended doses are determined by their body weight.
Azithromycin | Quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
Azithromycin (generic) | 6 tablets | 250 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 3 tablets | 500 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 Z-Pak (6 tablets) | 250 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 packet of dry powder | 1 g | |
AzaSite (brand name) | 1 eyedropper | 2.5 mL of 1% | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 6 tablets | 250 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 3 tablets | 500 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 Z-Pak (6 tablets) | 250 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 packet of dry powder | 1 g |
Does insurance cover azithromycin?
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid plans, cover azithromycin. State marketplace and Medicare plans typically cover the medication without restrictions.
Medicaid also covers azithromycin for most enrollees, with prior authorization rarely required. Check your plan’s formulary to confirm your out-of-pocket costs and coverage for azithromycin, the brand-name version (Zithromax), or both.
How different insurance plans cover azithromycin
The following table shows the likelihood of coverage — as well as requirements for prior authorization or step therapy — for azithromycin based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans | 85.9% | 0% | 0% |
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 98.6% | 0.1% | 0% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 96.8% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 1.7% | 0% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 13, 2024. (See methodology below)
If your insurer does not cover azithromycin, you still have several options:
Check if your plan covers a different dosage form of the generic.
Ask a healthcare professional about alternative medications that your insurance may cover.
Request a formulary exception for azithromycin from your insurer.
If the exception is denied, consider filing an appeal.
During open enrollment, explore different insurance plans that better align with your medication needs.
Ways to save on azithromycin
Regardless of whether you have insurance, here are four ways you can save on brand-name and generic azithromycin:
Ways to save on prescription medications: From using a GoodRx coupon to making the most of your health savings account, here are some ways to save on prescription medications.
Do you have a flexible spending account (FSA)? Consider using your FSA dollars to pay for prescription medications like azithromycin before your money expires.
What to expect when taking azithromycin: Read real-life accounts from people who have taken the antibiotic.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a free GoodRx coupon, you can save on your brand-name or generic azithromycin prescription.
Here’s what you could expect to pay for various doses of brand-name and generic azithromycin using a GoodRx coupon.
Azithromycin | Quantity and form | Dose | Price with a GoodRx coupon |
|---|---|---|---|
Azithromycin (generic) | 6 tablets | 250 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 3 tablets | 500 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15mL of 100 mg/5 mL | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 Z-Pak (6 tablets) | 250 mg | |
Azithromycin (generic) | 1 packet of dry powder | 1 g | |
Azasite (brand name) | 1 eyedropper | 2.5 mL of 1% | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 6 tablets | 250 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 3 tablets | 500 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 bottle of oral suspension | 15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 Z-Pak (6 tablets) | 250 mg | |
Zithromax (brand name) | 1 packet of dry powder | 1 g |
To get your free coupon for azithromycin:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your phone.
Search for “azithromycin,” and choose your prescribed dosage and form of the brand-name or generic version.
Click “Find the lowest prices” or press enter.
Select to receive your coupon by text or email, or print it out.
Present the coupon at your pharmacy when picking up your azithromycin prescription.
2. Consider a lower-cost alternative
Other medications similar to azithromycin may treat your condition just as effectively at a lower price. Ask a healthcare professional about options, including generic alternatives.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
Use the GoodRx app or website to compare azithromycin prices at pharmacies near you. You might discover a lower price at a pharmacy you don’t usually use.
4. Use an HSA or FSA
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can use the money in your account to pay for eligible medical expenses tax free. This includes prescription medications like azithromycin. If you have an HSA or FSA card, you can use it at checkout. If not, you can pay out of pocket and request reimbursement from your account later. HSA dollars don’t expire, but you could lose your FSA funds if you don’t use them before the deadline.
The bottom line
Without insurance, six 250 mg tablets of azithromycin cost around $26.83, while the brand-name version, Zithromax, costs about $72.93. Prices for azithromycin can vary depending on your location, dosage, pharmacy, and insurance coverage. But there are ways to save money, including using a GoodRx coupon.
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 2024.
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
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.) Appealing a health plan decision.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Azithromycin.
RemedyRepack. (2024). Azithromycin- azithromycin tablet, film coated [package insert].
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