If you’re looking at treatment options for anxiety disorders, you may want to learn more about Xanax (alprazolam). It’s a prescription drug used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.

Keep reading for details on Xanax and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Xanax, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Xanax can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Xanax, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Xanax. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Xanax in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Xanax 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 Xanax requires prior authorization.

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

What’s the cost of Xanax or Xanax XR without insurance vs. with insurance?

In general, the cost of Xanax or Xanax XR may be higher if you don’t have insurance. (Xanax XR is an extended-release tablet that releases the drug slowly into your system over time. It’s used to treat panic disorder.)

If you’re uninsured, you may be eligible for the drugmaker’s savings card. There are also online sites that may be able to help with the cost of Xanax. See the “Help paying for Xanax” section below for more details on these programs.

If you have insurance, your cost may vary depending on your copay and whether your plan covers brand-name Xanax. If you have private insurance (such as from an employer) you may also be eligible for the Xanax savings card. (But those with Medicare, Medicaid, or a similar government healthcare plan are not eligible for the savings card.)

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider to find out more about your copay cost.

Does the price of Xanax depend on the strength I take (such as 1 mg vs. 2 mg)?

It’s possible that the various strengths of Xanax might be priced differently. What you pay will depend on several factors, and dosage strength is just one of them. The cost may also differ if you’re paying out of pocket versus using an insurance plan. And plans can vary in how they cover Xanax and what they charge for a copay.

Contact your insurance provider or your pharmacy to find out more about the cost of your Xanax prescription.

Xanax is available as the generic drug alprazolam. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug and usually costs less.

To find out how the costs of Xanax and alprazolam compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Xanax and you’re interested in using alprazolam instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

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 drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug 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.

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

On these sites, 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.

If you still have questions about the cost of Xanax, 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 cost you’d pay for Xanax.

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

  • Will my dosage of Xanax affect the cost?
  • Is generic alprazolam an option for me?
  • Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Xanax, see these articles:

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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.