What buprenorphine and naloxone cost if you have no insurance
What this medicine is for
MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says buprenorphine and the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone treat opioid dependence. That means addiction to opioids, such as heroin or strong prescription pain medicines. The combination comes as a tablet or a film that dissolves under the tongue.
SAMHSA is the federal agency for mental health and substance use. It says buprenorphine should be prescribed as part of a full treatment plan that includes counseling and other services. Only a prescriber can write the order for it. SAMHSA says a 2023 federal law removed the rule that prescribers had to file a special notice before prescribing it.
What Medicare plans spent per fill
We found no government list of cash prices for this medicine. The best government number comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal health agency. It publishes how much Medicare drug plans and their members spent per fill of each drug. This is not a cash price, but it comes from real pharmacy fills.
- For generic buprenorphine and naloxone, the average was about $123 per fill in 2024, across more than 1.6 million fills.
- The average depended on the maker of the generic, and it ran from about $44 to about $162 per fill.
- For the brand-name version, the average was about $473 per fill.
One fill means one visit to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. The size of a fill and the strength vary from person to person, so your own bill may be higher or lower. The gap between makers shows that it pays to ask a pharmacy which version it stocks.
When you call a pharmacy, give the exact strength and number of units on your prescription and ask for the cash price. Also ask which maker's version the pharmacy keeps in stock. Write down each quote with the date, so you can compare them side by side and pick the lowest one.
What pharmacies pay
Medicaid runs a national survey called NADAC, short for National Average Drug Acquisition Cost. It tracks the average amount that pharmacies pay to buy a drug. The counter price is higher, because the pharmacy adds its own costs and fees. The numbers below are for the week of October 21, 2026, and every one is for a generic.
- Dissolving films of 2 mg and 0.5 mg cost pharmacies about $1.39 each.
- Films of 4 mg and 1 mg cost about $2.54 each, and films of 8 mg and 2 mg cost about $1.95 each.
- Films of 12 mg and 3 mg cost about $4.27 each.
- Tablets of 2 mg and 0.5 mg cost about $0.54 each. Tablets of 8 mg and 2 mg cost about $0.72 each.
Your prescriber picks the strength and the number of units. As an example of size only, 30 of the 8 mg and 2 mg films come to about $58 at the survey price. Thirty tablets of the same strength come to about $22. Tablets cost pharmacies less than films in this survey. Whether a tablet or a film suits you is a choice for you and your prescriber.
Savings from the maker of the brand
The company that makes the brand-name film posts a savings card for patients who are not using insurance. Its website says eligible patients can save up to $0.96 on each 2 mg film, for up to 90 films. The savings are up to $1.92 on each 4 mg or 8 mg film. They are up to $3.84 on each 12 mg film for up to 60 films. The savings cannot be more than your out-of-pocket cost. Patients in the maker's separate assistance program cannot use the card. The maker may change or end the offer at any time.
The card lowers the brand price, but the generic costs pharmacies much less, according to the survey above. Ask your pharmacist for the cash price of both. Our guide on how to compare prescription prices explains how to call around.
Paying for the visits, not only the medicine
Treatment includes visits with a clinician, and those visits have a price too. Many community health centers set fees on a sliding scale. HRSA says health centers treat substance use needs and see everyone who comes in, even people who cannot pay. Our guides on community health centers and addiction treatment without insurance explain how to find one.
The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free and private, and someone answers at any hour of any day. SAMHSA says many treatment providers offer a sliding-fee scale, so ask about it when you call to make an appointment. Our guide on naltrexone costs covers the other common medicine for opioid and alcohol use. If you prefer a cash-pay doctor, ask the office whether it treats opioid dependence before you book. Direct primary care plans usually cost $50 to $200 a month. Our search for a cash-pay doctor near you is one way to find a practice.
Safety points and emergencies
MedlinePlus says to take this medicine exactly as your doctor directs, and not to take more or less or take it more often. If cost is the problem, please do not skip doses or stretch your supply on your own. Please call your prescriber or pharmacist before your supply ends and explain that cost is the reason.
MedlinePlus also says to ask your doctor about keeping naloxone at home. Naloxone is a rescue medicine for an opioid overdose, and our guide on naloxone costs explains where to find it, often for free. In an emergency, such as someone who has collapsed, cannot be woken or has trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 at any hour. The information on this page is general and is not medical advice.
Common questions
How much are buprenorphine and naloxone without insurance?
Medicare drug plans and their members spent about $123 per fill of the generic in 2024, and about $473 per fill of the brand. Those amounts are not what you would pay in cash. Call a few pharmacies for cash prices and ask for the generic.
Is there a generic version of buprenorphine and naloxone?
Yes, generic films and tablets are on sale. You will find both in the national pharmacy cost survey, and the Medicare data show many generic makers. Ask your pharmacist for the generic cash price.
Do I need a prescription for it?
Yes, a clinician has to write the prescription. Without insurance you can pay for the visit yourself, so ask what the visit costs before you book.
Where can I find low-cost treatment?
Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, which is free and private. You can also ask a community health center about its sliding-fee scale.
What if I cannot afford my next fill?
Contact your prescriber or pharmacist a few days before you run out, and explain that cost is the problem. A lower price or a help program may be something they can point you to. Please do not stop or stretch the medicine on your own.
Can I get a maker discount without insurance?
The maker of the brand posts a savings card for patients who are not using insurance. It has limits on the amount and on the number of films. The generic often costs less than the brand even with the card, so compare both prices.
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This guide is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.