Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is a prescription drug used to prevent and treat various infections. Bactrim’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

Bactrim comes in two forms: Bactrim oral tablets and Bactrim DS (double-strength) oral tablets. The price you pay for the drug can vary.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Bactrim or Bactrim DS, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Bactrim prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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Bactrim and Bactrim DS are available as the generic drug sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

To find out how the costs of Bactrim and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Bactrim and you’re interested in trying sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend you take one version instead of another. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one version or another.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

For most conditions, Bactrim is used as a short-term treatment. Some people with certain conditions may need to take the drug long term to help prevent or treat a certain type of infection. If you take Bactrim or Bactrim DS long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Bactrim if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of either medication, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Bactrim. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Bactrim or Bactrim DS or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Bactrim and cost.

What’s the cost of Bactrim without insurance vs. with insurance?

The cost of Bactrim or Bactrim DS without insurance versus with insurance can vary based on several factors.

Some factors that may affect your cost of the drug without insurance include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the form of the drug you’re prescribed
  • the quantity you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • any cost savings programs you qualify and apply for

The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But in addition, your cost with insurance may depend on:

  • your individual plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements for your plan (see the “Prior authorization” section below for more information)

To find out more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Whether you have insurance or not, you can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Bactrim or Bactrim DS when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.)

Is Bactrim covered by Medicare?

It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of Bactrim or Bactrim DS, call your plan provider. There are many types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.

Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover Bactrim. (See the “Prior authorization” section below for more information.)

You can also ask your doctor about the cost of Bactrim if you have Medicare.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Bactrim or Bactrim DS. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Bactrim or Bactrim DS requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether this medication requires prior authorization.

If you still have questions about the cost of Bactrim, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual price you’d pay.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Which would cost more, Bactrim DS or twice the amount of regular-strength tablets?
  • What other brand-name alternatives to Bactrim or Bactrim DS could I take to treat my infection?
  • If I can’t afford Bactrim, what other treatment options do I have?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy, where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.