Key takeaways:
Memantine is a prescription medication used to treat moderate-to-severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s available in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) forms.
Without insurance, 60 tablets of memantine IR 10 mg have an average retail price of $130.28. Your price can vary based on your dosage, quantity, and the pharmacy you use to fill your prescription.
You may be able to lower your cost by using a GoodRx discount, enrolling in GoodRx Companion, or filling a 90-day supply when possible.
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Memantine is a prescription medication used to treat moderate-to-severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. It comes in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) forms. And if you or a loved one have difficulty swallowing pills, it also comes in liquid form.
If you’re paying for memantine without insurance, it’s a good idea to understand how much it’ll cost before filling your prescription. Here’s what you should know about memantine’s cost and ways to save.
How much does memantine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, 60 tablets of memantine IR 10 mg have an average retail price of $130.28. Memantine is available only as a generic medication. Its brand-name versions, Namenda and Namenda XR, have been discontinued. Generic options include IR tablets and oral solution, as well as ER capsules.
The table below shows average retail prices for common memantine dosages.
Which factors affect the cost of memantine?
Several factors can affect how much you pay for memantine.
Dosage and quantity
Your cost depends on the dose, dosage form, and quantity prescribed. For example, 10 mg tablets and 28 mg ER capsules can have different prices. A 90-day supply may also have a different per-dose cost than three 30-day fills.
Location
Where you live can affect your prescription prices. GoodRx research on prescription costs by city found that cash prices for commonly prescribed medications vary across U.S. cities. For example, medications are typically more affordable in Denver than in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Pharmacy
Pharmacies set their own cash prices and may negotiate different rates with pharmacy benefit managers. That’s why the same prescription may cost less at one pharmacy than another. A GoodRx price search can help you compare prices at pharmacies in your area.
Insurance coverage
Insurance may lower your prescription costs, but you may still have a copay, coinsurance, or a deductible. Your plan’s formulary places medications, including memantine, into cost-sharing tiers. Lower tiers typically have less out-of-pocket costs.
Check your plan’s formulary and summary of benefits and coverage to see how your plan covers memantine. How much you pay can change depending on whether you’ve met your deductible and where you fill the prescription.
What to do if memantine isn’t covered by your insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover memantine, try these options:
Ask your prescriber to submit a letter of medical necessity or request a formulary exception. If your plan denies the request, ask how to appeal the denied claim.
Look into other savings options, including GoodRx discounts and patient assistance programs.
During your next open enrollment period, compare plans and look for one that covers memantine and any other medications you or your loved ones may take.
Ways to save on memantine
Because memantine is available as a generic, you may have multiple ways to lower your prescription costs. Here are five strategies to consider.
1. Use a GoodRx discount
A GoodRx discount may help you pay less for memantine. You can compare prices at pharmacies near you. To avoid delays, show proof of the discount to the pharmacy before you pick up your prescription.
Below are examples of what you could pay with a GoodRx discount.
Dose, form, and quantity | Average cash price | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
5 mg (60 tablets) | $217.76 | |
10 mg (60 tablets) | $130.28 | |
2 mg/mL oral solution (150 mL) | $277.26 | |
7 mg (30 ER capsules) | $359.68 | |
14 mg (30 ER capsules) | $287.49 | |
21 mg (30 ER capsules) | $373.65 | |
28 mg (30 ER capsules) | $203.19 |
Keep in mind: GoodRx savings may vary by pharmacy and geographic location. The GoodRx website and app can help you compare prices in your area.
2. Enroll in GoodRx Companion
You may be able to save even more on memantine with a GoodRx Companion subscription. GoodRx Companion offers savings on select medications and other health services. Over 250 medications (including some forms of memantine) are available for free, with hundreds more for under $10. Check the current program details to see whether memantine is included and what price applies to your prescription.
The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for telehealth visits and discounts on dental care and other health services.
3. Ask about 90-day supplies
If you take memantine long term, ask your prescriber and pharmacist whether a 90-day supply is an option. A 90-day fill may have a lower per-dose cost or fewer dispensing fees than three 30-day fills. Compare the total price before filling it.
4. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
You may be able to use funds from a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to pay eligible out-of-pocket prescription costs.
HSA funds usually roll over from year to year. FSA funds may expire at the end of the plan year, although your employer may offer a grace period or carryover option. HRA rollover rules can vary by employer. Check your plan’s rules and keep your receipts.
5. See if you qualify for Medicare Extra Help
Many people who take memantine have Medicare coverage. If you have Medicare Part D and limited income and resources, you may qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program. Extra Help can reduce Part D premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing for covered prescriptions.
The bottom line
Memantine is a medication used to manage symptoms of moderate-to-severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Without insurance, 60 tablets of memantine IR 10 mg have an average retail price of $130.28. Your price depends on factors such as your dosage and form, quantity, and pharmacy.
Using a GoodRx discount, enrolling in GoodRx Companion, and filling a 90-day supply, when possible, may help lower your costs. Your pharmacist can help you understand your options to get the best price.
Why trust our experts?
References
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Help with drug costs: What’s Extra Help?
