How Much is Zofran Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Zofran (ondansetron) is an FDA-approved medication that prevents nausea and vomiting by blocking the effects of serotonin in different parts of the body.
Brand-name Zofran is no longer on the U.S. market. However, you can still get ondansetron — its generic version — as an oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, or oral liquid solution.
Without insurance, the average cost for 30 tablets of ondansetron 4 mg is around $119.39. You could pay as little as $6.00 with a GoodRx coupon.
Access savings on related medications
Zofran (ondansetron) is an FDA-approved medication that helps prevent nausea and vomiting. It’s commonly used for people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or those recovering from surgery. This medication works by blocking the effects of serotonin, a chemical involved in many health processes, in different parts of the body. Zofran is also sometimes used off-label to manage nausea related to migraines, pregnancy, or vertigo.
Brand-name Zofran is no longer on the U.S. market, but you can still get ondansetron — its generic version — as an oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), or oral liquid solution. Injectable forms of ondansetron are also available, though these are generally used only in hospitals and medical clinics.
Whether it’s your first time filling a Zofran prescription or you’re hoping to cut costs on your refills, what you’ll pay for the medication depends on the form, dosage, and other factors. But there are ways to save money on Zofran.
How much does Zofran cost?
The cost of generic Zofran without insurance varies based on your prescription strength and dosage. A 30-tablet supply of generic Zofran 8 mg costs around $215.09 without insurance, coupons, or discounts. The lower 4 mg dose runs about $119.39 for 30 tablets. Here's a look at what different forms of generic Zofran could cost at various pharmacies:
Generic Zofran quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 4 mg | |
30 tablets | 8 mg | |
30 ODTs | 4 mg | |
30 ODTs | 8 mg | |
One 50 mL bottle of oral solution | 4 mg/5 mL |
The oral solution form of generic Zofran may work well for children, people who struggle to swallow tablets, or those who can't take the ODT (tablets that dissolve in your mouth). Your prescribed dosage will determine how many doses you can get from each bottle. For example, when managing nausea from chemotherapy, you might take one 8 mg dose every 8 to 12 hours over a few days. In this case, a 50 mL bottle of the 4 mg/5 mL oral solution provides about 5 doses.
What factors affect the cost of Zofran?
The cost of generic Zofran varies depending on several factors:
Location: Cities such as Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans typically have higher prescription costs, while you might find lower prices in places such as Houston and Atlanta, based on GoodRx research.
Pharmacy: Costs can differ significantly between pharmacies in your area, even ones located close to each other. Comparing prices can help you find the best deal.
Insurance: Your insurance may cover generic Zofran, but you might still be responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, or copays.
Dosage: Your age, medical background, and reason for taking Zofran determine your prescribed dose. Higher doses or extended treatment periods typically result in higher costs.
Form: Prices can also vary based on which form of Zofran you need. For instance, ODTs might cost more than regular tablets at some pharmacies, even for the same dose.
Discount: Using prescription coupons from services such as GoodRx can make a significant difference in what you’ll pay.
Does insurance cover Zofran?
Coverage for generic Zofran varies by insurance type, but nearly all health plans cover this medication. Commercial and Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) insurance plans provide wide coverage, with some requiring prior authorization or step therapy first. Most Medicare plans cover generic Zofran, though prior authorization is required for nearly 70% of people in these plans. Medicaid plans also typically cover the medication, with prior authorization required for only a small percentage of people.
On top of that, health plans may impose quantity limits on Zofran prescriptions, meaning they only cover a specific quantity of the medication within a certain time period.
You can get more information about coverage requirements, pricing tiers, and potential out-of-pocket costs by checking your health plan's formulary (its list of covered medications) and summary of benefits and coverage.
Looking for ways to save on Zofran? From using a GoodRx coupon to making the most of your health savings account, here are some ways to save on prescription medications.
Wondering how soon Zofran will help with your nausea? Pharmacists explain when you can expect Zofran to start working and answer other common questions about this medication.
Headache, fatigue, and digestive issues are common but mild side effects of Zofran. But there are also some rare but serious side effects you shouldn’t ignore.
How different insurance plans cover generic Zofran
The table below provides an overview of generic Zofran coverage, including whether prior authorization or step therapy may apply for various insurance plan types.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans | 99.6% | 0.0% | 3.32% |
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 99.3% | 2.2% | 0% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 100% | 68.4% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 4.7% | 0% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of November 13, 2024. (See methodology below.)
Ways to save on Zofran
Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of Zofran, regardless of your insurance status.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
GoodRx provides free coupons that can significantly reduce the cost of Zofran. These coupons work at many pharmacies, and you can use GoodRx to compare prices across different locations to find the best deal. Get your GoodRx coupon by visiting www.goodrx.com or downloading the GoodRx app.
Curious about how much you could save? The following table compares retail prices for generic Zofran to what you’d pay with a GoodRx coupon:
Generic Zofran quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 4 mg | ||
30 tablets | 8 mg | ||
30 ODTs | 4 mg | ||
30 ODTs | 8 mg | ||
One 50 mL bottle of oral solution | 4 mg/5 mL |
2. Ask about lower-cost alternatives
While GoodRx coupons can make Zofran more affordable, there are other nausea medications.
Some alternatives might cost less, or your insurance plan might cover them at a lower tier than Zofran, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs. If Zofran's cost is too high, talk to your prescriber about whether a more affordable option could work for you.
3. Make use of your tax-advantaged accounts
Have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)? Consider using them when buying Zofran. These accounts can reduce your overall healthcare expenses, since they use pretax dollars. You can either pay directly with your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy or save your receipts for reimbursement later. Remember that FSA funds expire annually, unlike HSA funds, so use them before your deadline.
The bottom line
If you don't have insurance, generic Zofran (ondansetron) 8 mg typically costs around $215.09 for 30 tablets. You might pay around $119.39 for the same quantity of the 4 mg dose. Still, your actual price will depend on factors including your pharmacy choice, insurance coverage, and whether you use discount programs. To save money, try a GoodRx coupon, shop around for the best pharmacy prices, or use funds from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to cover the expense tax-free.
Why trust our experts?
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).
References
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2024). Ondansetron hydrochloride- ondansetron hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert].
Haque, W., et al. (2021). Payer-imposed quantity limits for antiemetics: Everybody hurts. JCO Oncology Practice.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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