How Much Is Pradaxa Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an oral blood thinner used to treat and prevent blood clots in adults and children. It’s also used to reduce the risk of stroke in adults with atrial fibrillation.
Without insurance, 60 capsules of brand-name Pradaxa 150 mg can cost around $434.79. The generic version may cost around $161.73 for the same quantity, dose, and form.
Insurance coverage for Pradaxa varies widely depending on your health plan. But you may be able to save by using a GoodRx coupon.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Pradaxa (dabigatran) is a blood thinner classified as a direct-acting oral anticoagulant. It works by blocking thrombin, a substance responsible for blood clot formation. It helps treat and prevent blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism). Pradaxa also helps lower the risk of stroke in people with an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation.
Brand-name and generic versions of Pradaxa are available, and it comes as oral capsules for adults and children. Oral pellets for children are another option. Pradaxa is typically taken twice a day, but the exact dosage depends on the medical condition being treated.
The cost of Pradaxa can vary based on a few factors. If you’re looking for ways to save, options like using a GoodRx coupon can help lower the price for both the brand-name and generic versions.
How much does Pradaxa cost?
Without insurance or discounts, 60 capsules of brand-name Pradaxa 150 mg cost around $434.79. This quantity would last about a month if taken twice a day. The generic version might cost about $161.73 for the same quantity, form, and dose.
Here’s what you might pay for brand-name and generic Pradaxa capsules at various pharmacies:
Pradaxa version | Quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 60 capsules | 75 mg | |
Brand name | 60 capsules | 110 mg | |
Brand name | 60 capsules | 150 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 75 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 110 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 150 mg |
For children, brand-name Pradaxa also comes as oral pellets that can be sprinkled on certain soft foods or mixed with apple juice, making the medication easier to swallow. The prescribed dosage depends on the child’s age and body weight.
Generic versions of these pellets may become available after March 2026, though there’s no exact date yet.
What factors affect the cost of Pradaxa?
The cost of Pradaxa can vary based on several factors, including:
Location: Where you live affects your prescription costs. GoodRx research shows that people in places like New York City and Lexington, Kentucky, often pay above the national average for their prescription medications. But areas like Houston typically have lower medication costs.
Pharmacy: The price of Pradaxa can differ depending on the pharmacy you choose.
Generic vs. brand name: Choosing the generic version can offer significant savings compared with the brand-name version.
Insurance: Even with insurance coverage, you may face out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays when buying Pradaxa. Additionally, the tier in which Pradaxa is placed on your plan’s formulary can affect your cost.
Dosage: Your prescribed dosage will depend on factors like the condition being treated and your kidney function. This can affect what you pay.
Does insurance cover Pradaxa?
Less than 40% of people enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage for brand-name Pradaxa. Some of these plans require prior authorization, and a small number of enrollees must try other medications first (step therapy) before accessing Pradaxa. Commercial insurance plans cover Pradaxa for more than half of enrollees.
Can you use your HSA to pay for Pradaxa? Yes. Find out how to use your health savings account (HSA) to cover Pradaxa and other eligible expenses.
Common Pradaxa side effects include stomach upset and bleeding. Pharmacists explain other Pradaxa side effects and how to manage them.
Save money on medication costs: These tips can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Medicare rarely covers Pradaxa. When it is covered, few enrollees need prior authorization or step therapy. Almost all Medicaid enrollees have coverage for Pradaxa. But some will need prior authorization, and a smaller percentage of enrollees require step therapy.
To understand how your insurance covers Pradaxa, check your health plan’s formulary or contact your insurer for more details.
How different insurance plans cover Pradaxa
The following tables show how different types of insurance plans cover brand-name Pradaxa and whether prior authorization and step therapy may be needed:
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Pradaxa 75 mg capsules | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
36% | 12.1% | 3.6% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 55.5% | 15.8% | 8.3% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans) | 10.8% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 28.1% | 5.5% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of April 14, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Pradaxa 150 mg capsules | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 30% | 12.2% | 3.6% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 55.5% | 15.6% | 8.3% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans) | 9.7% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 26.1% | 7.1% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of April 14, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Pradaxa, consider the following options:
Ask your prescriber about switching to a different blood thinner covered by your insurance or one with lower out-of-pocket costs, including the generic version of the medication.
Request a formulary exception from your insurer. This is a special request asking your insurance company to cover Pradaxa, even if it’s not on their formulary. Your prescriber may need to submit a letter of medical necessity explaining why you need this medication.
If the formulary exception is denied, you can appeal the decision.
During open enrollment, look for plans that cover Pradaxa and other medications you take regularly.
Ways to save on Pradaxa
Whether or not you have insurance coverage, there are ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for Pradaxa.
1. Use a free GoodRx coupon
A free GoodRx coupon can lower the cost of generic and brand-name Pradaxa at many pharmacies. Here’s what you might pay for the medication based on quantity, form, and dose when you use a GoodRx coupon:
Pradaxa version | Quantity and form | Dose | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 60 capsules | 75 mg | |
Brand name | 60 capsules | 110 mg | |
Brand name | 60 capsules | 150 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 20 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 30 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 40 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 50 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 110 mg | |
Brand name | 60 packets of the oral pellets | 150 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 75 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 110 mg | |
Generic | 60 capsules | 150 mg |
To get your coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the app.
Search for “Pradaxa,” then click “Find the lowest prices.”
Select your prescribed dose, quantity, and form.
Print your coupon, or choose to receive it via text or email.
Show the coupon when dropping off your prescription to get the savings and avoid delays at the pharmacy.
2. Ask about the generic version
The generic version generally costs less than brand-name Pradaxa. Generic medications are made to work the same way as brand-name prescriptions, so it’s an option worth considering to reduce your costs. Ask your prescriber about switching to generic Pradaxa to save money.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
Pharmacy prices for Pradaxa can vary, so it’s a good idea to shop around. You can easily compare prices and find the best deal in your area by visiting www.goodrx.com.
4. Get a 90-day supply
Consider asking your prescriber about a 90-day prescription of Pradaxa. Many pharmacies offer discounts for larger quantities, and some insurance plans may have lower copays for a 90-day supply instead of monthly refills. Savings aren’t guaranteed, but it’s worth comparing prices to see if this option could save you money.
If Pradaxa is covered under your plan, see if your insurer’s mail-order program provides savings on larger quantities. If they do, ask your prescriber for a 90-day prescription to take advantage of these potential savings.
5. Take advantage of your HSA or FSA funds
Use the tax-free dollars in your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for qualified medical expenses. This includes the out-of-pocket costs for your Pradaxa prescription.
You can use your HSA or FSA card for the purchase or pay out-of-pocket and request reimbursement later. The funds in your HSA don’t expire, but you’ll have to use your FSA funds before your plan’s deadline.
The bottom line
Without insurance, 60 capsules of brand-name Pradaxa 150 mg cost around $434.79. You might pay about $161.73 for the same quantity and dose in the generic version. What you’ll pay depends on several factors, including your location, the pharmacy, and the form and dose of the medication.
You can lower your costs by using a GoodRx coupon and comparing prices at different pharmacies. Another money-saving option is to use a mail-order pharmacy and pay with funds from your health savings account or flexible spending account.
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 April 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
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. (2023). Pradaxa- dabigatran etexilate pellet [package insert]. DailyMed.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Orange Book: Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.
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