How Much Is Buspar Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Buspar (buspirone) is a commonly prescribed oral medication that’s FDA approved to treat anxiety. The brand-name version is no longer made, so you’ll find this medication as buspirone — its generic form.
Without insurance, a 30-day supply of buspirone at a dosage of 10 mg twice daily (60 tablets) can cost around $20.99. What you pay will depend on your dosage and factors such as your location, pharmacy, and insurance coverage.
A GoodRx coupon may be able to help you save on buspirone.
Table of contents
Antianxiety medications are common. One notable prescription is Buspar — the well-known brand name of the generic buspirone — which is used to treat anxiety.
The manufacturer of brand-name Buspar no longer makes the medication, but generic versions are available.
Buspar may cause side effects, which often subside as your body adjusts to the medication.
Buspar (buspirone) basics
Brand name | Buspar |
|---|---|
Generic name | buspirone |
Typical dosages | |
FDA-approved use | Anxiety |
Off-label uses | Depression, gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) |
How it works | It’s thought to manage serotonin levels in the brain |
Benefits | Doesn’t make most people tired like other antianxiety medications, isn’t a controlled substance, and sexual side effects are unlikely (but possible) |
Possible side effects | Dizziness, nausea, headache, drowsiness, abnormal dreams, chest pain, and numbness of the hands and feet |
Is generic Buspar covered by insurance?
Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments — including medications like generic Buspar — but coverage varies. Check your summary of benefits and coverage and your plan’s formulary to determine whether generic Buspar is covered.
If you have Medicare Part D, these prescription drug plans are required to cover at least two medications in every drug category. Generic Buspar is covered by Medicare Part D plans.
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
Here are a few options if your insurance does not cover generic Buspar:
Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.
Ask for an exception from your prescription plan, though you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.
File an appeal with your health plan.
Try a patient assistance program.
Use a free GoodRx coupon for potential savings.
Reconsider your prescription plan during your next open enrollment period.
How much does generic Buspar cost without insurance?
If you have no health insurance, the retail price of generic Buspar depends on the following factors:
Dosage
Fill amount — 90-day supply versus 30-day supply
Location
Pharmacy
The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different Buspar doses taken twice daily.
Generic Buspar (buspirone) doses (60 tablets) | GoodRx price |
|---|---|
5 mg | |
7.5 mg | |
10 mg | |
15 mg | |
30 mg |
How to afford generic Buspar without insurance
Here are ways to save on generic Buspar without insurance:
How does Buspar work? Though not fully understood, this medication is believed to manage serotonin levels in the brain to treat anxiety.
Buspar can have side effects. This medication can cause side effects such as drowsiness, abnormal dreams, chest pain, muscle tremors, and extremity numbness.
Buspar can have sexual side effects. Generic Buspar may help with changes in libido or sexual performance caused by antidepressants.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your prescription.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Buspar” in the search field. Be sure to select “Buspar (generic)” in the drop-down menu.
Choose the correct dosage and quantity, and make sure your location is correct.
Click on “Search prices” to find costs at pharmacies near you.
Select the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled, and you’ll receive a coupon.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your generic Buspar prescription.
2. Request a 90-day supply
Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Buspar instead of a 30-day supply to compare costs. Getting a 3-month supply may be a better value than filling your prescription every month. This can lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, saving you time and money. If your insurance covers Buspar, ask if there are discounts for using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.
3. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx can easily compare costs at different pharmacies to help you find the best Buspar price in your area.
4. Split your pills if it’s safe to do so
Not all pills should be divided, but buspirone tablets are scored to be split in half or in thirds. For instance, filling a prescription for 10 mg tablets of buspirone is typically not twice as much as the same quantity of 5 mg tablets. You may be able to fill a prescription for a higher dose and split the pill to save 50% or more on your prescription. Often, you can buy a pill splitter at a pharmacy for about $5.
5. Talk to your doctor about alternatives
Your doctor isn’t obligated to consider prices when prescribing your medications. If you are concerned about cost, tell your prescriber. You might be able to find another medication that adequately treats your condition and fits your budget.
6. Use your HSA or FSA funds
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can save on your Buspar prescription. Paying for the medication with your HSA or FSA funds reduces your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
Frequently asked questions
Pharmacists say that it’s fine to take generic Buspar with or without food, but you should be consistent because food in your stomach affects absorption and how the medication works. Generally, you can take generic Buspar at the same time as other medications, but ask a pharmacist to make sure. And if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. But if you’re close to the next dose, skip the missed one and resume your regular schedule with the next tablet. It takes 3 to 4 weeks for Buspar to start working, so you may not see results right away.
This medication can sometimes decrease libido and cause changes in sexual performance, but it’s not a common issue. Buspar is also prescribed to offset sexual side effects from antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which include Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).
Generic Buspar is not a first-choice medication for treating anxiety. Also, it may take a few weeks to a month to have a full effect. If you want quick relief from anxiety, Xanax can start working in 30 minutes. It’s important to note that generic Buspar isn’t a controlled substance like Xanax, which has a potential for misuse.
The bottom line
A 30-day supply of generic Buspar (buspirone) at a dosage of a 10 mg tablet twice daily (60 tablets) can cost around $20.99. The amount you’ll pay depends on many factors, including where you live, the pharmacy you choose, your dosage, and your insurance coverage. You may be able to find lower prices for generic Buspar by using a GoodRx coupon or getting a 90-day supply. Generic Buspar tablets are scored to be divided in half or in thirds. Getting a higher-dose prescription and splitting the pills can save you 50% or more on your prescription.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Your guide to Medicare drug coverage.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision.
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