How Much Is Valtrex Without Insurance?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is a brand-name antiviral medication. It is FDA-approved to treat or prevent various viral infections brought on by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). These conditions can include cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. When symptoms flare up, it is often referred to as a “herpes outbreak.” 

Though Valtrex does not cure herpes infections, it can decrease the severity and number of outbreaks by suppressing the virus’s ability to replicate. Valtrex and its generic, valacyclovir, come in tablets of 500 mg or 1,000 mg (1 g). And a compounding pharmacy can turn the tablets into a liquid medication for children and adults who have difficulty swallowing pills. 

The best dosage for you and the length of time you’ll need to take Valtrex depend on the condition you’re treating. A typical dose can range from 2 g taken by mouth 12 hours apart for one day, for a cold sore, to 1 g taken once a day every day to prevent recurring genital herpes infections for people who have them consistently. For children ages 2 and up, dosages may be adjusted based on their age and body weight.

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How much does Valtrex cost?

The price of Valtrex without insurance depends on the prescribed dosage and whether you are prescribed the brand-name or generic version. Without insurance, discounts, or coupons, brand-name Valtrex can cost around $472.83 for 30 tablets of the 500 mg dose. You may pay around $76.53 for the same quantity of generic valacyclovir.

The following table shows what you might pay for different quantities and doses of brand-name or generic Valtrex. 

What factors affect the cost of Valtrex?

The cost of Valtrex can vary depending on several factors:

• Location: The cost of medication can be affected by demand, competition among pharmacies, and the cost of living in the area where you’re filling your prescription. For instance, GoodRx research shows that Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans are the most expensive cities for prescription medications, while Denver and Houston are the most affordable.

• Brand vs. generic: The generic version of Valtrex, valacyclovir, is much more affordable than the brand-name version.

• Insurance: Even if your insurance covers brand-name Valtrex, you may still have out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. These expenses can vary based on your health plan’s formulary (its list of covered medications).

• Dosage: Higher doses of Valtrex may be more expensive than lower doses. Your prescriber will determine your recommended dose based on your condition and symptoms. For example, for some conditions, such as cold sores or shingles, you may only need to take the medication for a very short time, versus other conditions that may require long-term use, such as genital herpes.

Does insurance cover Valtrex?

Some health insurance plans cover brand-name Valtrex, while many others only cover its generic version, valacyclovir. If you have insurance, check your plan’s formulary to see if brand-name Valtrex is covered. 

Many Medicaid plans may cover Valtrex. However, nearly three-quarters of people in those plans will need prior authorization.  

How different insurance plans cover Valtrex

The following table shows the likelihood of coverage — as well as requirements for prior authorization or step therapy — for Valtrex based on the type of insurance plan.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How much Valtrex should you take? From cold sores to shingles, find out how much Valtrex you’ll need to treat your condition.

• Does Valtrex have side effects? Learn the most common side effects and when you should contact your prescriber.

• Is it safe to swim with a herpes outbreak? Here’s what our experts have to say; the answer might surprise you.

Insurance coverage for brand-name Valtrex

Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of November 13, 2024. (See methodology below.)

If Valtrex is not covered by your insurance, you can try the following steps:

• Talk to your prescriber about alternative medications that might be covered or are more affordable.

• Request a formulary exception from your insurer. If the request is denied, consider filing an appeal for coverage. 

• Consider changing your insurance plan during open enrollment.

Ways to save on Valtrex

Regardless of whether you have insurance, here are four ways you can save on brand-name and generic Valtrex:

1. Save with a GoodRx coupon

A free GoodRx coupon may help you save on your prescription for brand-name Valtrex or generic valacyclovir. Here’s how to get a GoodRx coupon:

• Go to www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device.

• Enter “Valtrex” in the search bar and select either the brand-name or generic version (valacyclovir). Click, tap, or hit return on your selection.

• Select the correct quantity and location.

• Choose to receive your coupon by text, email, or as a printable version.

• Show the coupon at the pharmacy when picking up your Valtrex prescription. If possible, show the coupon before they start filling your prescription to avoid delays in processing.

2. Compare prices at different pharmacies 

The cost of a medication can vary from one pharmacy to another, even in the same neighborhood. Use the GoodRx website or app to compare prices from multiple pharmacies in your area.

3. Try a lower-cost alternative

Generic medications, such as valacyclovir, can cost much less than brand-name medications, such as Valtrex, regardless of whether you're paying out of pocket or using insurance. The FDA ensures that generic drugs meet the same strict quality standards as their brand-name counterparts. You can also ask your prescriber about more affordable, but equally effective, medications in the same class.

4. Request a larger quantity

If you take Valtrex on a regular basis, ask your healthcare professional to prescribe a larger quantity, such as a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply. Pharmacies often provide discounts for purchasing a larger quantity of medication at once.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

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Methodology

We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflect health insurance coverage as of November 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 the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).