How Much is Ciprodex Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) is a prescription medication used to treat middle ear infections in kids with ear tubes. It’s also used to treat outer ear canal infections in adults and children, commonly known as swimmer’s ear.
Without insurance, a 7.5 mL bottle of brand-name Ciprodex costs about $309.24, while the generic version is about $160.95. Insurance coverage varies widely, but most Medicaid plans cover the medication.
With a GoodRx coupon, you could pay as little as $245.38 for brand-name Ciprodex or $63.27 for the generic version.
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Table of contents
Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) is an FDA-approved ear drop medication. It’s used to treat acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in kids with ear tubes and acute otitis externa (outer ear infection, or swimmer’s ear) in adults and children. The medication contains two active ingredients: ciprofloxacin 0.3% (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic) and dexamethasone 0.1% (a corticosteroid). Together, these medications work to fight the infection and reduce inflammation and swelling in the ear.
The typical dosage is 4 drops in the affected ear, applied twice a day for 7 days. The medication is available as brand-name Ciprodex and its lower-cost generic version, ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone. What you’ll pay for either version can vary based on several factors. But there are options to save on Ciprodex and the generic, including using a GoodRx coupon.
How much does Ciprodex cost?
Without insurance, discounts, or coupons, brand-name Ciprodex costs about $309.24 for a 7.5 mL bottle at some pharmacies. You might pay around $160.95 for the generic version in the same-size bottle. One 7.5 mL bottle contains enough medication to complete a full week of treatment, even if both ears need to be treated.
Still, your actual out-of-pocket costs will depend on several factors, including:
Location: Medication prices can vary from city to city. GoodRx research shows that people living in certain cities, like Denver and Atlanta, often pay less for their prescriptions than those in New Orleans and New York.
Pharmacy: Pharmacies in the same neighborhood may charge different prices for Ciprodex.
Insurance: Even with an insurance plan that covers Ciprodex, you may still need to pay deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.
Generic vs. brand name: Ciprodex is available as a generic, which costs less than the brand name.
Discount: Using prescription coupons from services such as GoodRx can lower your out-of-pocket costs for brand-name and generic Ciprodex.
Does insurance cover Ciprodex?
Health insurance plans cover brand-name Ciprodex differently, though most include the generic version. Step therapy is rarely required for this medication.
About 1 out of every 3 people enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage for Ciprodex. Some of these plans require prior authorization. Many commercial insurance plans cover Ciprodex, with prior authorization needed for a small number of these plans.
Nearly all people enrolled in Medicaid have coverage for Ciprodex. But more than half will need prior authorization. Medicare plans rarely cover Ciprodex — about 2% of enrollees have coverage for this medication.
To better understand your insurance coverage and costs, check your health plan’s formulary and summary of benefits and coverage documents.
The best treatment for your ear infection depends on which part of the ear is affected. Find out when you might be prescribed medications like Ciprodex and what you can do at home for relief.
Ear infections are not just for children. Physicians explain the symptoms of ear infections in adults and when to seek treatment.
Not sure why you or your child keeps getting middle ear infections? Here’s what triggers otitis media (middle ear infections) and how it’s treated.
Swimmer’s ear can be uncomfortable, but it’s preventable and treatable. Read what causes this common ear infection and the most effective ways to prevent and treat it.
How different insurance plans cover Ciprodex
The following table shows the likelihood of coverage and prior authorization and step therapy requirements for brand-name Ciprodex based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance coverage for Ciprodex
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Ciprodex | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 32.5% | 12.8% | 0% |
Commercial plans (not including ACA plans) | 76.4% | 10.6% | 0.39% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 2.2% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.4% | 55.4% | 0% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 13, 2024. (See methodology below)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Ciprodex, try one or more of the following:
Request a prescription for generic ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone if you were prescribed brand-name Ciprodex.
Talk to your prescriber about other ear drop medications that your insurance might cover or that might cost less out of pocket.
Ask your insurance company for a formulary exception to cover Ciprodex.
If your insurance denies the exception request, you can file an appeal to challenge their decision.
During your next open enrollment, compare different plans to find one that offers better prescription coverage for your needs.
Ways to save on Ciprodex
Whether or not you have insurance, here are ways to save on brand-name and generic Ciprodex:
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
GoodRx offers free coupons that can lower the cost of Ciprodex at many pharmacies. Get a coupon by visiting www.goodrx.com or downloading the GoodRx app.
The table below shows the average retail price for one 7.5 mL bottle of Ciprodex and what you might pay using a GoodRx coupon:
Formulation | Dose | Average retail price | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
Ciprodex (brand name) | 0.3% / 0.1% | ||
Ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone (generic) | 0.3% / 0.1% |
2. Compare pharmacy prices
Pharmacy prices for Ciprodex can vary quite a bit, even in the same area. Call a few pharmacies or compare prices online. Some people find significant savings by switching pharmacies.
3. Ask about a lower-cost alternative
If you’re concerned about the cost of Ciprodex, talk to your prescriber about other options. You might find that a similar lower-priced medication could work just as well for you.
4. Use your HSA or FSA funds
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can use these tax-free funds to pay for Ciprodex. Use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy, or save your receipts for reimbursement. You must use your FSA funds by the end of the plan year, or you’ll lose them. But HSA funds roll over annually and are available for use anytime.
The bottom line
Without insurance, brand-name Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) costs about $309.24 for a 7.5 mL bottle. The generic version costs around $160.95 for the same-size bottle. Your actual cost will depend on factors like your insurance coverage, which pharmacy you use, and where you live. To save money, consider using a GoodRx coupon, comparing prices at different pharmacies, or using tax-advantaged health funds if you have them.
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. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals. (2023). CIPRODEX- ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone suspension/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
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