How Much Is Flagyl Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Flagyl (metronidazole) is an antibiotic that comes in tablet and capsule forms. Brand-name Flagyl tablets were discontinued by the manufacturer, but they still may be available at your pharmacy. Generic metronidazole remains available in various formulations, including capsules and tablets.
Flagyl can treat skin infections and lower respiratory infections in adults and children, as well as infections of the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems. This medication kills bacteria in the body. It also stops certain parasites from reproducing, making it effective for treating some parasitic infections.
Without insurance, the average price of 14 capsules of 375 mg Flagyl is $148.04. You may be able to pay a lower price with a GoodRx coupon or by switching to the generic version of the medication.
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Table of contents
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. Flagyl (metronidazole) is a brand-name antibiotic that fights bacteria and is also effective at treating some conditions caused by parasites.
Healthcare professionals prescribe different antibiotics for different conditions. You may be given a prescription for Flagyl if you have a skin, lower respiratory, gastrointestinal, or gynecologic infection. Other uses include the treatment of bone and joint infections, central nervous system infections, and intra-abdominal infections.
While Flagyl is an effective treatment for certain bacterial and parasitic infections, it is not helpful with treating viral infections. Experts warn that if it's prescribed for a viral infection, it raises the risk of the individual being affected by drug-resistant bacteria and parasites.
Flagyl works by damaging the DNA structure of bacteria so they cannot continue to grow and eventually die. It can also stop certain parasites from reproducing.
Flagyl basics
Brand-name Flagyl comes as capsules. Flagyl tablet formulations have been discontinued, but they may remain available at your pharmacy. The generic form of Flagyl is called metronidazole. There are forms of metronidazole that are not available under the Flagyl brand. These forms, which include a vaginal gel and an injectable medication, are dispensed as generic metronidazole or under other brand names.
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about Flagyl.
Flagyl Basics
Generic name | Metronidazole |
Brand-name forms | • Capsules • Tablets (now discontinued by manufacturer) |
FDA-approved uses | Flagyl is used for many different conditions, including: • Bone and joint infections • Central nervous system infections • Endocarditis (a serious type of heart infection) • Intra-abdominal infections, including Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea and peritonitis • Lower respiratory tract infections • Skin infections |
Benefits | • Treats a variety of bacterial infections • Treats some conditions caused by parasitic infections |
Possible side effects | Side effects of Flagyl capsules and tablets include: • Nausea • Headaches • Anorexia • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Abdominal cramping • Constipation • Metallic taste • Darkened urine • Dizziness • Neuropathy • Numbness • Seizures Flagyl also carries an FDA boxed warning, which means there are potentially serious risks to consider. The warning states that Flagyl has been shown to cause cancer in mice and rats that ingested it, but this has not been proven in humans. |
Is Flagyl covered by insurance?
Some insurers cover brand-name Flagyl, and most cover its generic form, metronidazole.
Almost every Medicaid plan and more than 80% of commercial plans cover Flagyl 375 mg capsules. Coverage is less likely if you purchased a plan through an Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) marketplace or are covered by Medicare.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether Flagyl is covered. If not, contact your prescription medication plan provider and ask about your options, including whether the generic version is covered. You can also discuss alternatives with your prescriber or a pharmacist.
Flagyl (metronidazole) dosages vary. The amount you take depends on the reason you’re using the medication, your age, and other factors.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) medications: Flagyl is one of the most common treatments for the vaginal infection known as BV.
Flagyl for pets: Flagyl and its generic version, metronidazole, are also used to treat diarrhea, infections, and inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.
How insurance covers Flagyl
The following charts show the likelihood of having coverage for Flagyl 375 mg capsules, based on the type of insurance plan. It also shows the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Most ACA and commercial health insurance plans don’t require enrollees to get prior authorization or do step therapy before covering Flagyl. But prior authorization is required for almost everyone covered by Medicaid.
Insurance Coverage for Flagyl (375 mg capsule)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Flagyl 375 mg capsules | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 83.5% | 10.4% | 5.2% |
18.3% | 11.9% | 0% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 4% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.4% | 89.8% | 6.6% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of March 15, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
Here are a few steps you can consider taking if your health insurance doesn’t cover Flagyl:
Ask your prescriber about switching to a less costly option or the lower-cost generic if you were prescribed brand-name Flagyl.
Use a GoodRx coupon to save on your prescription.
Request a formulary exception from your prescription medication plan. You may be required to do step therapy or get prior authorization to be covered.
If you request a formulary exception and are denied coverage, file an appeal with your plan.
During your next open enrollment period, weigh your options. You may be eligible for another plan with better prescription medication coverage.
How much does Flagyl cost without insurance?
Flagyl is a brand-name antibiotic. Brand-name treatments typically cost more than their generic counterparts. The difference in cost can sometimes be substantial, so make sure you compare your options. Without insurance, what you pay for Flagyl depends on several factors, including your:
Specific pharmacy
Geographic location
Fill amount
Prescribed dosage
The following table shows the average retail price for different doses, forms, and quantities of Flagyl.
Flagyl Costs
Quantity, form, and dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|
14 capsules (375 mg) | |
30 tablets (250 mg) | |
14 tablets (500 mg) |
Ways to save on Flagyl without insurance
As a class, antibiotics have typically been relatively affordable when compared to other types of medications, such as those used to fight cancer or heart disease. But that doesn't mean the full cost of a prescription is within your budget if you don't have help from health insurance. Here are four ways to save on Flagyl without insurance.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your Flagyl prescription. For example, you may be able to get 14 capsules of 375 mg Flagyl for as little as $91.78 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx coupon.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com, or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Flagyl” or “metronidazole” in the search field.
Select your location and the correct quantity, dose, and form.
Choose to receive your coupon via email or text, or print it out.
Show the coupon at your pharmacy when you pick up your medication. If you present the coupon to your pharmacy staff early in the filling process, such as when you first receive your prescription, this could prevent delays at the pickup counter.
2. Compare prices at various pharmacies
With GoodRx, you can easily compare costs at different pharmacies to find the best Flagyl price in your area. You can also explore the prices of generic metronidazole.
3. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
If you’re concerned about the cost of Flagyl, speak with a pharmacist or your prescriber. There may be another medication that adequately treats your condition and fits your budget. Since Flagyl is a brand-name medication, consider using the generic version, metronidazole. Generic medications typically cost less than the brand-name versions, and they have the same active ingredient(s).
4. Use tax-advantaged healthcare funds
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), consider using those funds to buy your medication. This can lower your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
The bottom line
Flagyl (metronidazole) is an antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections, including skin, lower respiratory, and gastrointestinal infections. It also can be used to treat certain parasitic infections. It works by stopping certain bacteria and parasites from growing and multiplying.
The cost of Flagyl depends on the pharmacy, location, quantity, and dosage form. Your insurance status and other factors can also play a role. If you don’t have insurance coverage for Flagyl, one way to save on your prescription is with a GoodRx coupon. For example, a typical course of 14 capsules of Flagyl 375 mg could cost as little as $91.78 with a GoodRx coupon.
Other ways to save on Flagyl without insurance include switching to the generic form of the medication, using tax-advantaged healthcare funds, and comparing prices at different pharmacies. You can also ask your prescriber if there’s an alternative medication that costs less.
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 March 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
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Antibiotic use and stewardship in the United States, 2024 update: Progress and opportunities.
Cornell University. (2018). Expensive antibiotics and game theory.
HealthyChildren.org. (2015). Tips for treating viruses, fungi, and parasites. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Metronidazole injection.
Pfizer Laboratories. (2024). Flagyl - metronidazole capsule [package insert].
Pfizer Laboratories. (2024). Flagyl- metronidazole capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Pfizer Laboratories. (2024). Flagyl (metronidazole) capsule [package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Pfizer Laboratories. (2024). Flagyl - metronidazole tablet, film coated [package insert].
Weir, C. B., et al. (2023). Metronidazole. StatPearls.
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