How Much Is Intuniv Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Intuniv (guanfacine ER) is an FDA-approved, nonstimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 17.
Insurance coverage for brand-name Intuniv varies significantly among plans. Nearly all Medicaid enrollees have coverage for Intuniv, while less than half of people with commercial insurance are covered. Many plans require enrollees to get prior authorization, and some require step therapy.
Without insurance, brand-name Intuniv costs an average of $362.47 for thirty 2 mg tablets. The average cost is around $262.47 for the same quantity and dose of the generic version.
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Table of contents
Intuniv (guanfacine ER) is a brand-name oral medication that belongs to a class known as alpha-2 agonists. It is an FDA-approved, nonstimulant medication used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 to 17. It is also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat adults with ADHD and children who have ADHD with a tic disorder.
A healthcare professional may prescribe Intuniv as a combination therapy with stimulants. It may also be taken on its own, as an alternative to stimulant medications. It is believed to help with focus and decrease hyperactivity by activating specific receptors in the brain.
The generic form of Intuniv is guanfacine extended-release (ER). An immediate-release (IR) form of guanfacine is also available. But the IR form is used primarily to treat high blood pressure.
If you’re paying out-of-pocket, brand-name Intuniv could cost you hundreds of dollars. But savings options like patient assistance programs and GoodRx coupons can help lower your costs.
How much does Intuniv cost?
Without insurance, 30 tablets of 2 mg Intuniv average around $362.47. The average price for the same quantity and dose of the generic form is $262.47
Intuniv is available in 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg tablets. The standard starting dosage is 1 mg taken by mouth once a day. The recommended maintenance dosage is between 2 mg and 7 mg a day. Your child’s exact dosage will be based on their age, body weight, and response to the medication.
The tables below display the average retail price for different quantities and doses of Intuniv and guanfacine ER.
Intuniv quantity | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 1 mg | |
30 tablets | 2 mg | |
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 4 mg | |
90 tablets | 2 mg |
Guanfacine ER (generic) quantity | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 1 mg | |
30 tablets | 2 mg | |
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 4 mg | |
90 tablets | 2 mg |
What factors affect the cost of Intuniv?
The price of Intuniv can vary based on several factors, including:
Location: The cost of prescription medications can be affected by where you live. For example, according to GoodRx research, cities like Atlanta and Denver tend to have lower medication prices than areas like New Orleans and Milwaukee.
Brand name versus generic: The generic version of Intuniv, guanfacine ER, typically costs less than brand-name Intuniv, but it’s just as safe and effective.
Insurance coverage: Even if you have insurance that covers Intuniv, you may still have out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.
Pharmacy choice: Prices can vary among pharmacies, even ones within the same area, so it may help to compare options.
Discounts: Pharmacy discount programs, patient assistance programs, and prescription discount services like GoodRx can help lower the cost of both brand-name and generic Intuniv.
Does insurance cover Intuniv?
Coverage for Intuniv varies by insurance plan. Since the medication is costly and there are other, more affordable options available, many plans require enrollees to do step therapy. In some cases, prior authorization may also be required.
Got a health savings account (HSA)? You can use your HSA to pay for prescription medications like Intuniv using tax-free dollars.
How to save on prescription medications: From signing up for patient assistance programs to downloading GoodRx coupons, here are ways to save on your medications.
Wondering about side effects? From dry mouth to sleepiness, here are some common side effects you should know about before taking Intuniv.
Only about 1 in 5 enrollees in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage for brand-name Intuniv. But nearly half of enrollees in commercial insurance plans are covered.
Medicare coverage for this medication is very limited, with only about 4% of enrollees having access. In contrast, Medicaid covers Intuniv for nearly all enrollees. However, it requires prior authorization for the highest percentage of enrollees — or nearly 74%.
To understand your coverage details and out-of-pocket costs, check your insurance plan’s formulary to see if it includes Intuniv. You can also contact a plan representative to ask about any additional requirements for coverage.
How different insurance plans cover brand-name and generic Intuniv
The tables below outline the percentage of enrollees who have coverage, along with prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for Intuniv and guanfacine ER across several insurance types. Most health insurance plans cover generic guanfacine ER, but Medicare and Medicaid require prior authorization for the highest percentages of enrollees.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Intuniv 1 mg | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
19.3% | 11.9% | 0.02% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 45.4% | 13.8% | 8.1% |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 3.9% | 1.8% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.4% | 73.8% | 6.7% |
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Intuniv 4 mg | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 19.3% | 11.9% | 0.02% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 45.4% | 13.8% | 8.1% |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 3.9% | 1.8% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.4% | 73.8% | 6.6% |
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for guanfacine ER 4 mg | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 99.1% | 7.2% | 7.2% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 99.0% | 5.3% | 1.2% |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 94.3% | 20.4% | 0.2% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 30.6% | 1.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of February 11, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance does not cover Intuniv, you have a few options:
Talk to your prescriber about alternative medications that your insurance may cover.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance provider to get coverage for Intuniv.
If your request for a formulary exception is denied, you can consider filing an appeal.
During the next open enrollment period, review other insurance plans to find one that better fits your coverage needs.
Ways to save on Intuniv
Taking Intuniv can come with a significant price tag. Here are five ways to save money and lower your out-of-pocket costs, whether or not you have insurance.
1. Download a GoodRx coupon
A free GoodRx coupon may help you save on the cost of your Intuniv prescription. Many pharmacies accept GoodRx coupons, and you can use the website or app’s price comparison tool to find the best deals in your area.
The tables below show what you might pay for different doses and quantities of Intuniv and guanfacine ER when using a GoodRx coupon at participating pharmacies.
Intuniv quantity | Dose | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 1 mg | |
30 tablets | 2 mg | |
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 4 mg | |
90 tablets | 2 mg |
Guanfacine ER (generic) quantity | Dose | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 1 mg | |
30 tablets | 2 mg | |
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 4 mg | |
90 tablets | 2 mg |
To get your free GoodRx coupon for Intuniv:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your phone.
Search for "Intuniv" and select the generic or brand-name version.
Enter your prescribed dose and quantity, and set your location.
Click "Find the lowest prices" or press enter.
Choose to receive your coupon via text or email, or print it out.
Show the coupon at your pharmacy when dropping off your prescription to ensure a smooth transaction.
2. Choose a generic form of Intuniv
Generic medications typically cost much less than brand-name medications, whether you’re paying out of pocket or using insurance. If you're covering the cost yourself, comparing prices for generic to brand-name Intuniv can help you find the most affordable option.
3. Sign up for a patient assistance program
The Takeda Help at Hand program provides certain medications at no cost for eligible individuals who demonstrate financial need. Currently, Intuniv is one of the medications available through this program.
You may be eligible for the program if all of the following apply:
You are prescribed Intuniv by a licensed physician practicing in the U.S. or its territories.
You currently reside in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. (Proof of citizenship is not required.)
You lack health insurance, have high medication costs, or need assistance due to limited coverage.
Your household income falls within the program's eligibility guidelines.
4. Fill a 90-day supply
Ask your healthcare professional if they can prescribe you a 90-day supply of Intuniv instead of a 30-day supply to see if it lowers your costs. Filling a larger supply may reduce your overall expenses and cut down on pharmacy visits, saving you both time and money.
If you have insurance that covers Intuniv, check if your plan offers discounts through a mail-order pharmacy.
5. Lower-cost alternatives
There are other nonstimulant medications that help manage ADHD besides Intuniv, and they may cost much less. If the cost of your Intuniv prescription makes it out of reach, talk to your prescriber about lower-cost alternatives that might be a good option for you.
The bottom line
Without insurance, the average price for 30 tablets of 2 mg Intuniv is around $362.47. The same quantity and dose of the generic version costs an average of $262.47. However, there are ways you can save on your brand-name or generic Intuniv prescription, such as using a GoodRx coupon or signing up for a patient assistance program. You could also ask your prescriber about more affordable, alternative medications.
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 February 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 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.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals America. (2022). Intuniv - guanfacine tablet, extended release; Intuniv - guanfacine kit [package insert]. DailyMed.
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