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How Much is Azithromycin Without Insurance?

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RNJoshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS
Published on January 8, 2025

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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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

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Avg retail price
$37.99(Save 79.92%)
GoodRx discount
$7.63
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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

$28.11

Azithromycin (generic)

3 tablets

500 mg

$35.17

Azithromycin (generic)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL

$35.64

Azithromycin (generic)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL

$37.50

Azithromycin (generic)

1 Z-Pak (6 tablets)

250 mg

$26.83

Azithromycin (generic)

1 packet of dry powder

1 g

$35.08

AzaSite (brand name)

1 eyedropper

2.5 mL of 1%

$305.58

Zithromax (brand name)

6 tablets

250 mg

$75.62

Zithromax (brand name)

3 tablets

500 mg

$179.56

Zithromax (brand name)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL

$32.99

Zithromax (brand name)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL

$65.08

Zithromax (brand name)

1 Z-Pak (6 tablets)

250 mg

$72.93

Zithromax (brand name)

1 packet of dry powder

1 g

$126.14

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:

GoodRx icon
  • 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

$7.78

Azithromycin (generic)

3 tablets

500 mg

$9.57

Azithromycin (generic)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15mL of 100 mg/5 mL

$12.21

Azithromycin (generic)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL

$9.84

Azithromycin (generic)

1 Z-Pak (6 tablets)

250 mg

$7.63

Azithromycin (generic)

1 packet of dry powder

1 g

$15.92

Azasite (brand name)

1 eyedropper

2.5 mL of 1%

$205.02

Zithromax (brand name)

6 tablets

250 mg

$16.17

Zithromax (brand name)

3 tablets

500 mg

$11.93

Zithromax (brand name)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 100 mg/5 mL

$30.54

Zithromax (brand name)

1 bottle of oral suspension

15 mL of 200 mg/5 mL

$56.55

Zithromax (brand name)

1 Z-Pak (6 tablets)

250 mg

$16.19

Zithromax (brand name)

1 packet of dry powder

1 g

$26.76

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.

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Why trust our experts?

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN
DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.
Charlene Rhinehart, CPA
Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.
Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS
Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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.

View All References (2)
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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