Cheapest Pharmacy for Antibiotics (2026): 7 Chains, 90 Prescriptions Compared
Same pills, same prescription, and the price swings up to 11× depending on where you fill it. We checked 7 pharmacy chains on 90 antibiotics, from amoxicillin to eye drops, to find who is cheapest, who isn't, and why the answer changes with the drug.
- Updated Nov 4, 2026
- Prices collected Nov 4, 2026
- 8 cited sources
- No paid placements
On this page 10 sections
Quick answer
Kroger family pharmacies (Kroger and Harris Teeter) were cheapest for everyday antibiotics: $10.74 average per course across 13 common prescriptions. Food Lion ($11.73) and Walmart ($13.75) followed. CVS was the most expensive at $23.62, 2.2× Kroger.
No chain wins everything. Kroger had the lowest price on 19 of 42 prescriptions under $30, but CVS was cheapest on 21 of 27 that cost $30–$100. The right pharmacy depends on the drug.
The same generic package varied a median 2.6× between chains, and up to 11× (trimethoprim: $7.90 at CVS, $87.99 at Costco). Check your own prescription in the price finder below.
Find the cheapest pharmacy for your antibiotic
Pick a prescription to see its free discount-card price at every chain, cheapest first. Amoxicillin is selected to start: $5.65 at Walmart, $15.73 at CVS.
RxHelp US pharmacy price panel, free discount-card prices, collected Nov 4, 2026. Prices vary by store location. Kroger and Harris Teeter priced identically, so they appear as one line. A dash or a missing chain means the product wasn't priced there. Download all 90 prices as CSV.
The 13 everyday antibiotics: Kroger cheapest, CVS priciest
Across amoxicillin, Z-Pak, cephalexin, cipro, Augmentin and 8 other common prescriptions, one course cost $10.74 on average at Kroger and $23.62 at CVS.
Average of the lowest discount-card price per course across the 13 prescriptions in the table below, Nov 4, 2026. Costco and Walgreens averaged $16.28 and $16.22; Publix $20.02.
A typical course of a common antibiotic costs CVS customers 2.2 times what it costs at Kroger. $23.62 versus $10.74 on average for the same 13 prescriptions. Pick a chain at random and the same drug costs a median 69% more than the cheapest option.RxHelp US pharmacy price panel, Nov 4, 2026
Swipe the table sideways →
| Antibiotic | Cheapest | Gap | Walmart | Kroger+ HT | Publix | Walgreens | CVS | Costco | Food Lion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin500 mg × 21 capsules | $5.65Walmart | 2.8× | $5.65 | $7.99 | $14.75 | $14.22 | $15.73 | $13.99 | $10.38 |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate875/125 mg × 20 tablets · Augmentin | $13.84Kroger | 2.0× | $17.52 | $13.84 | $19.30 | $20.36 | $27.74 | $17.99 | $14.71 |
| Azithromycin250 mg × 6 tablets · Z-Pak | $8.93Kroger | 2.8× | $10.31 | $8.93 | $17.99 | $12.63 | $25.05 | $13.99 | $10.15 |
| Cefdinir300 mg × 20 capsules · Omnicef | $17.37Walmart | 1.7× | $17.37 | $17.99 | $26.99 | $20.62 | $29.20 | $22.99 | $17.80 |
| Cephalexin500 mg × 28 capsules · Keflex | $9.95Walmart | 2.6× | $9.95 | $9.99 | $21.02 | $10.79 | $25.94 | $16.99 | $11.74 |
| Ciprofloxacin500 mg × 14 tablets · Cipro | $9.33Walmart | 2.4× | $9.33 | $10.99 | $19.69 | $15.63 | $22.76 | $14.99 | $10.60 |
| Clindamycin300 mg × 30 capsules · Cleocin | $11.83Kroger | 2.3× | $17.18 | $11.83 | $25.99 | $18.96 | $27.02 | $19.99 | $13.70 |
| Doxycycline hyclate100 mg × 14 capsules | $9.67Walmart | 2.6× | $9.67 | $10.65 | $19.51 | $15.88 | $25.12 | $16.79 | $10.11 |
| Levofloxacin500 mg × 10 tablets · Levaquin | $10.21Food Lion | 2.9× | $27.79 | $11.26 | $19.35 | $29.35 | $25.05 | $14.99 | $10.21 |
| Metronidazole500 mg × 14 tablets · Flagyl | $5.46Walmart | 3.2× | $5.46 | $9.09 | $17.55 | $15.49 | $17.42 | $15.99 | $10.40 |
| Nitrofurantoin100 mg × 10 capsules · Macrobid | $8.50Kroger | 3.0× | $12.25 | $8.50 | $20.72 | $10.73 | $25.54 | $14.99 | $11.56 |
| Penicillin V potassium500 mg × 28 tablets | $11.64Food Lion | 2.5× | $29.19 | $12.77 | $20.79 | $15.47 | $20.68 | $15.99 | $11.64 |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim DS800/160 mg × 14 tablets · Bactrim DS | $5.80Kroger | 3.4× | $7.12 | $5.80 | $16.65 | $10.79 | $19.87 | $11.99 | $9.43 |
Free discount-card prices for the package shown. "Gap" is the highest chain price divided by the lowest. The Kroger column also covers Harris Teeter (HT). Walmart was cheapest on 6 of the 13, Kroger on 5, Food Lion on 2. CVS, Publix, Walgreens and Costco were not cheapest on any of them.
Who wins depends on how pricey the drug is
Cheap generics favor Kroger, Walmart and Food Lion. For mid-priced prescriptions such as ear drops, acne gels and newer generics, CVS is usually cheapest.
Under $30
$30–$100
Over $100
Each bar counts the prescriptions a chain was cheapest on, by the lowest price found for that prescription. Ties count for every tied chain, so a bar can exceed the number of prescriptions. 76 prescriptions with competing prices; 14 brand-only drugs are covered separately below.
Why "my pharmacy is cheap" can be wrong
Ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone ear drops (Ciprodex) cost $45.40 at CVS and $139.98 at the priciest chain. For amoxicillin the order flips: Walmart $5.65, CVS $15.73. One chain can be the best and the worst choice in the same week, depending on the drug.
Biggest price gaps: the same package, up to 11× apart
56 of 76 competing prescriptions had a gap of 2× or more between the cheapest and the priciest chain, and 28 had 3× or more.
Cheapest to most expensive chain, same package
Each bar spans the lowest and highest of the chains priced. The line under the name shows who is cheapest → who is priciest.
Free discount-card prices, Nov 4, 2026. Shown: the 10 largest gaps among prescriptions under $110. Off the scale: minocycline ER 55 mg, $53.77 at CVS versus $943.24 at Walmart (17.5×); linezolid 600 mg, $32.62 to $205.94.
Chain by chain
Sorted by average everyday course price. Wins counts how often a chain had the lowest price among 76 prescriptions with competing generics.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Chain | Avg. course, 13 everyday drugs | Wins, all 76 | Typical markup over cheapest, everyday | What stood out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KrogerKroger + Harris Teeter | $10.74 | 22 | +4% | Cheapest for everyday antibiotics. Lowest price on 22 of 76 prescriptions and within 10% of the lowest on 29. Strongest on the cheap generics. |
| Food Lion | $11.73 | 11 | +14% | A strong second. Beat Walmart on penicillin V ($11.64 vs $29.19) and levofloxacin ($10.21 vs $27.79). Not available in every region, so check for a store near you. |
| Walmart | $13.75 | 10 | +15% | Cheapest on 6 of 13 everyday drugs. Hard to beat on amoxicillin, cephalexin, cipro and metronidazole, but not on every drug (penicillin V $29.19, levofloxacin $27.79). |
| Walgreens | $16.22 | 4 | +60% | Mid-to-high. Won 4 products, among them clarithromycin and demeclocycline. Dearer than Kroger and Walmart on nearly all everyday antibiotics. |
| Costco | $16.28 | 1 | +69% | Mid-pack. Cheapest on one product. The priciest chain for trimethoprim ($87.99) and for several clindamycin gels and foams. |
| Publix | $20.02 | 1 | +111% | Higher on everyday antibiotics. Won only one product. Its free-antibiotics program ended in June 2022. |
| CVS | $23.62 | 27 | +160% | Priciest on everyday, cheapest on pricier drugs. Highest average course price, yet the cheapest on 21 of the 27 prescriptions that cost $30–$100. |
"Typical markup" is the median of (chain price ÷ cheapest price − 1) across the 13 everyday antibiotics. Kroger and Harris Teeter priced identically on every product, and Walmart Pharmacy matched Walmart Neighborhood Market, so each pair appears once.
Brand-only drugs: where you fill matters far less
When there is no generic, chains charge almost the same. The median gap for 14 brand-only antibiotics was just 1.08×, versus 2.6× for generics.
| Brand-only drug | Lowest | Highest | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozenoxacin cream1%, 10 g · Xepi | $127.25 | $150.96 | 1.19× |
| Clindamycin vaginal gel2%, 8 g · Xaciato | $141.92 | $168.65 | 1.19× |
| Besifloxacin eye drops0.6%, 5 mL · Besivance | $207.26 | $235.67 | 1.14× |
| Rifaximin550 mg × 6 tablets · Xifaxan | $428.35 | $460.95 | 1.08× |
| Minocycline foam 4%30 g can · Amzeeq | $518.04 | $558.96 | 1.08× |
| Minocycline ER (biphasic)105 mg × 31 tablets | $543.04 | $614.71 | 1.13× |
| Pivmecillinam185 mg × 9 tablets · Pivya | $911.61 | $983.91 | 1.08× |
| Sarecycline100 mg × 30 tablets · Seysara | $1,098.66 | $1,185.88 | 1.08× |
| Doxycycline delayed-release60 mg × 60 tablets · Doryx MPC | $1,237.28 | $1,335.56 | 1.08× |
| Delafloxacin450 mg × 20 tablets · Baxdela | $1,603.93 | $1,796.26 | 1.12× |
| Omadacycline150 mg × 6 tablets · Nuzyra | $1,628.09 | $1,759.38 | 1.08× |
| Metronidazole cream 1%60 g tube · Noritate | $2,316.07 | $2,500.39 | 1.08× |
| Tedizolid200 mg × 6 tablets · Sivextro | $2,884.05 | $3,114.77 | 1.08× |
| Paromomycin250 mg × 42 capsules · Humatin | $5,404.91 | $5,835.58 | 1.08× |
Free discount-card prices, Nov 4, 2026, for drugs with a single manufacturer and no generic equivalent in our data. If your prescription is on this list, your savings come from the card, a manufacturer program or your insurance, not from picking a chain.
All 76 competing prescriptions
Tap a column header to sort: by gap to see where choosing matters most, or by lowest price to see cheap courses first.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Antibiotic | Cheapest | Gap | Walmart | Kroger+ HT | Publix | Walgreens | CVS | Costco | Food Lion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin500 mg × 21 capsules | $5.65Walmart | 2.8× | $5.65 | $7.99 | $14.75 | $14.22 | $15.73 | $13.99 | $10.38 |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate875/125 mg × 20 tablets · Augmentin | $13.84Kroger | 2.0× | $17.52 | $13.84 | $19.30 | $20.36 | $27.74 | $17.99 | $14.71 |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate ER1,000/62.5 mg × 20 tablets · Augmentin XR | $88.93CVS | 1.6× | $141.90 | $127.54 | $97.12 | $133.42 | $88.93 | $144.90 | $142.90 |
| Ampicillin500 mg × 28 capsules | $16.53Kroger | 1.9× | $29.20 | $16.53 | $23.38 | $30.82 | $25.58 | $24.50 | $22.50 |
| Azithromycin250 mg × 6 tablets · Z-Pak | $8.93Kroger | 2.8× | $10.31 | $8.93 | $17.99 | $12.63 | $25.05 | $13.99 | $10.15 |
| Azithromycin500 mg × 3 tablets · 3-day Tri-Pak | $4.35Kroger | 5.7× | $16.39 | $4.35 | $19.09 | $15.93 | $24.82 | $11.66 | $9.22 |
| Bacitracin ointment500 units/g, 28.4 g tube | $10.78Food Lion | 1.5× | – | $14.22 | $16.20 | – | – | $12.78 | $10.78 |
| Bacitracin-polymyxin B eye ointment3.5 g tube · Polycin | $28.35Kroger | 1.7× | $30.58 | $28.35 | $32.64 | $31.53 | $47.52 | $33.71 | $32.35 |
| Cefaclor500 mg × 30 capsules | $96.75CVS | 1.5× | $138.41 | $128.79 | $138.63 | $138.13 | $96.75 | $147.09 | $137.11 |
| Cefaclor ER500 mg × 14 tablets | $222.83CVS | 1.4× | $291.23 | $271.13 | $288.83 | $289.21 | $222.83 | $307.77 | $285.56 |
| Cefadroxil500 mg × 14 capsules | $10.10Walmart | 2.6× | $10.10 | $11.57 | $21.81 | $15.11 | $26.04 | $14.99 | $12.07 |
| Cefdinir300 mg × 20 capsules · Omnicef | $17.37Walmart | 1.7× | $17.37 | $17.99 | $26.99 | $20.62 | $29.20 | $22.99 | $17.80 |
| Cefixime400 mg × 2 capsules · Suprax | $17.18Kroger | 2.6× | $27.07 | $17.18 | $38.42 | $35.99 | $35.33 | $44.50 | $31.92 |
| Cefpodoxime200 mg × 14 tablets | $35.61CVS | 2.1× | $54.49 | $74.26 | $37.83 | $43.20 | $35.61 | $39.99 | $50.14 |
| Cefprozil500 mg × 20 tablets | $33.40Food Lion | 3.1× | $45.06 | $41.08 | $103.13 | $53.38 | $33.43 | $40.24 | $33.40 |
| Cefuroxime500 mg × 14 tablets · Ceftin | $15.91Food Lion | 1.8× | $20.01 | $17.70 | $22.83 | $19.67 | $27.23 | $27.99 | $15.91 |
| Cephalexin500 mg × 28 capsules · Keflex | $9.95Walmart | 2.6× | $9.95 | $9.99 | $21.02 | $10.79 | $25.94 | $16.99 | $11.74 |
| Ciprofloxacin500 mg × 14 tablets · Cipro | $9.33Walmart | 2.4× | $9.33 | $10.99 | $19.69 | $15.63 | $22.76 | $14.99 | $10.60 |
| Ciprofloxacin eye ointment0.3%, 3.5 g tube · Ciloxan | $11.71Kroger | 3.4× | $26.14 | $11.71 | $24.99 | $39.29 | $14.84 | $22.99 | $16.24 |
| Ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone ear drops0.3%/0.1%, 7.5 mL · Ciprodex | $45.40CVS | 3.1× | $75.57 | $139.98 | $71.81 | $68.56 | $45.40 | $133.99 | $74.00 |
| Ciprofloxacin-hydrocortisone ear drops0.2%/1%, 10 mL · Cipro HC | $185.08CVS | 1.8× | $321.89 | $299.11 | $207.37 | $290.61 | $185.08 | $324.89 | $322.89 |
| Clarithromycin500 mg × 28 tablets · Biaxin | $25.14Walgreens | 1.6× | $40.14 | $25.99 | $31.07 | $25.14 | $31.58 | $30.99 | $27.88 |
| Clarithromycin ER500 mg × 20 tablets · Biaxin XL | $52.28CVS | 2.9× | $150.21 | $93.65 | $88.30 | $68.34 | $52.28 | $131.91 | $101.60 |
| Clindamycin300 mg × 30 capsules · Cleocin | $11.83Kroger | 2.3× | $17.18 | $11.83 | $25.99 | $18.96 | $27.02 | $19.99 | $13.70 |
| Clindamycin foam1%, 100 g can · Clindacin | $64.70CVS | 4.4× | $284.39 | $242.22 | $104.50 | $126.23 | $64.70 | $285.62 | $161.50 |
| Clindamycin once-daily gel1%, 75 mL · Clindagel | $266.68CVS | 3.2× | $431.54 | $646.18 | $549.03 | $299.89 | $266.68 | $863.09 | $668.00 |
| Clindamycin oral solution75 mg per 5 mL, 100 mL · Cleocin Pediatric | $41.93Kroger | 1.7× | $71.69 | $41.93 | $44.56 | $54.56 | $42.44 | $61.52 | $56.00 |
| Clindamycin topical1%, 60 g tube | $19.71Food Lion | 8.1× | $38.84 | $22.08 | $26.17 | $36.17 | $27.82 | $159.37 | $19.71 |
| Clindamycin topical solution1%, 60 mL · Cleocin T | $28.80Kroger | 1.4× | $41.57 | $28.80 | $31.94 | $29.71 | $33.74 | $37.99 | $30.80 |
| Clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide gel1.2%/2.5%, 50 g pump · Acanya | $47.12CVS | 6.6× | $108.62 | $101.61 | $309.17 | $80.74 | $47.12 | $136.90 | $111.00 |
| Clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide gel1.2%/3.75%, 50 g pump · Onexton | $64.70CVS | 9.3× | $597.13 | $557.14 | $397.19 | $141.93 | $64.70 | $600.13 | $492.00 |
| Clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide gel1.2%/5%, 45 g tube · Duac | $33.99Costco | 1.7× | $58.85 | $36.14 | $36.73 | $44.82 | $35.32 | $33.99 | $36.35 |
| Clindamycin-tretinoin gel1.2%/0.025%, 30 g tube · Veltin | $98.08CVS | 2.6× | $176.75 | $181.23 | $208.50 | $162.85 | $98.08 | $254.95 | $166.40 |
| Dapsone gel7.5%, 60 g pump · Aczone | $51.68CVS | 3.2× | $166.86 | $145.59 | $52.97 | $62.97 | $51.68 | $114.99 | $109.40 |
| Dapsone tablets100 mg × 30 tablets | $34.13CVS | 1.7× | $57.00 | $36.24 | $58.94 | $43.86 | $34.13 | $52.03 | $40.40 |
| Demeclocycline300 mg × 28 tablets · Declomycin | $118.95Walgreens | 6.5× | $771.62 | $210.28 | $482.83 | $118.95 | $130.13 | $294.69 | $247.40 |
| Doxycycline 40 mg40 mg × 30 capsules · Oracea | $98.08CVS | 7.8× | $657.64 | $708.26 | $474.68 | $180.95 | $98.08 | $761.32 | $437.90 |
| Doxycycline hyclate100 mg × 14 capsules | $9.67Walmart | 2.6× | $9.67 | $10.65 | $19.51 | $15.88 | $25.12 | $16.79 | $10.11 |
| Doxycycline hyclate 50 mg50 mg × 30 tablets · Targadox | $90.07CVS | 3.6× | $271.66 | $177.01 | $149.79 | $150.29 | $90.07 | $326.80 | $217.70 |
| Doxycycline monohydrate100 mg × 14 capsules · Monodox | $10.82Kroger | 2.4× | $16.19 | $10.82 | $21.99 | $12.74 | $26.04 | $15.99 | $11.30 |
| Doxycycline monohydrate100 mg × 14 tablets · Avidoxy | $12.90Food Lion | 2.0× | $22.93 | $16.99 | $21.61 | $16.73 | $26.04 | $14.69 | $12.90 |
| Erythromycin500 mg × 6 tablets · Ery-Tab | $29.15CVS | 2.8× | $82.81 | $49.77 | $73.13 | $50.50 | $29.15 | $72.44 | $44.96 |
| Erythromycin ethylsuccinate suspension200 mg per 5 mL, 100 mL | $69.93CVS | 3.5× | $159.99 | $154.71 | $213.15 | $129.12 | $69.93 | $246.32 | $209.00 |
| Erythromycin ethylsuccinate suspension400 mg per 5 mL, 100 mL · EryPed 400 | $83.72CVS | 5.3× | $284.25 | $357.28 | $248.70 | $185.42 | $83.72 | $447.79 | $249.00 |
| Erythromycin ointment5 mg/g, 3.5 g tube | $15.99Kroger | 1.8× | $18.51 | $15.99 | $21.99 | $28.30 | $23.75 | $21.99 | $23.08 |
| Erythromycin-benzoyl peroxide gel3%/5%, 46.6 g jar · Benzamycin | $51.99CVS | 4.2× | $83.27 | $69.59 | $217.75 | $77.34 | $51.99 | $113.99 | $70.91 |
| Levofloxacin500 mg × 10 tablets · Levaquin | $10.21Food Lion | 2.9× | $27.79 | $11.26 | $19.35 | $29.35 | $25.05 | $14.99 | $10.21 |
| Linezolid600 mg × 14 tablets · Zyvox | $32.62CVS | 6.3× | $53.32 | $205.94 | $38.64 | $48.64 | $32.62 | $38.49 | $49.16 |
| Loteprednol-tobramycin eye drops0.5%/0.3%, 5 mL · Zylet | $139.01CVS | 2.2× | $297.02 | $275.79 | $192.13 | $215.82 | $139.01 | $300.02 | $283.66 |
| Metronidazole500 mg × 14 tablets · Flagyl | $5.46Walmart | 3.2× | $5.46 | $9.09 | $17.55 | $15.49 | $17.42 | $15.99 | $10.40 |
| Metronidazole vaginal gel0.75%, 70 g tube · Vandazole | $22.88Food Lion | 2.7× | $47.28 | $62.58 | $28.24 | $26.24 | $29.52 | $37.99 | $22.88 |
| Minocycline100 mg × 60 capsules · Minocin | $30.50Food Lion | 1.5× | $47.08 | $33.99 | $38.08 | $35.86 | $39.89 | $33.99 | $30.50 |
| Minocycline ER55 mg × 30 tablets · Solodyn | $53.77CVS | 17.5× | $943.24 | $108.16 | $587.95 | $105.91 | $53.77 | $217.92 | $184.40 |
| Mupirocin cream2%, 15 g tube | $30.21Publix | 2.5× | $75.94 | $33.71 | $30.21 | $40.21 | $31.14 | $65.93 | $32.30 |
| Mupirocin ointment2%, 22 g tube · Bactroban | $9.60Walmart | 2.7× | $9.60 | $9.99 | $19.99 | $11.25 | $25.94 | $17.99 | $11.96 |
| Neomycin tablets500 mg × 6 tablets | $10.63Kroger | 3.9× | $41.53 | $10.63 | $18.87 | $23.62 | $14.84 | $17.14 | $14.66 |
| Neomycin-bacitracin-polymyxin eye ointment3.5 g tube · Neo-Polycin | $49.56Kroger | 1.4× | $53.36 | $49.56 | $55.02 | $54.05 | $70.48 | $57.66 | $54.48 |
| Neomycin-polymyxin-dexamethasone eye drops5 mL · Maxitrol | $10.47Walmart | 2.7× | $10.47 | $18.94 | $26.02 | $27.76 | $22.76 | $19.99 | $23.89 |
| Nitrofurantoin100 mg × 10 capsules · Macrobid | $8.50Kroger | 3.0× | $12.25 | $8.50 | $20.72 | $10.73 | $25.54 | $14.99 | $11.56 |
| Nitrofurantoin macrocrystals100 mg × 14 capsules · Macrodantin | $13.91Food Lion | 2.3× | $23.76 | $18.36 | $19.71 | $31.59 | $25.34 | $16.80 | $13.91 |
| Ofloxacin eye drops0.3%, 5 mL · Ocuflox | $10.75Walmart | 2.5× | $10.75 | $15.99 | $24.15 | $20.90 | $26.58 | $17.99 | $17.56 |
| Penicillin V potassium500 mg × 28 tablets | $11.64Food Lion | 2.5× | $29.19 | $12.77 | $20.79 | $15.47 | $20.68 | $15.99 | $11.64 |
| Polymyxin B-trimethoprim eye drops10 mL · Polytrim | $12.97Kroger | 1.8× | $16.47 | $12.97 | $19.80 | $21.76 | $22.76 | $12.99 | $13.52 |
| Silver sulfadiazine cream1%, 50 g jar · Silvadene | $11.72Kroger | 2.3× | $15.79 | $11.72 | $18.98 | $24.51 | $25.52 | $26.99 | $22.02 |
| Sulfacetamide wash10%, 118 mL · Klaron | $42.86CVS | 3.3× | $102.97 | $104.61 | $85.99 | $90.42 | $42.86 | $143.42 | $97.68 |
| Sulfadiazine500 mg × 60 tablets | $284.25Kroger | 3.5× | $968.76 | $284.25 | $603.58 | $921.80 | $988.99 | $971.76 | $969.76 |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim400/80 mg × 30 tablets · Bactrim | $11.01Kroger | 2.3× | $17.39 | $11.01 | $19.25 | $19.75 | $25.15 | $11.48 | $11.77 |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim DS800/160 mg × 14 tablets · Bactrim DS | $5.80Kroger | 3.4× | $7.12 | $5.80 | $16.65 | $10.79 | $19.87 | $11.99 | $9.43 |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim suspension200/40 mg per 5 mL, 473 mL · Sulfatrim | $26.00Food Lion | 1.9× | $48.88 | $34.30 | $29.07 | $39.07 | $29.98 | $29.99 | $26.00 |
| Tetracycline500 mg × 56 capsules | $49.85CVS | 2.0× | $73.78 | $94.44 | $54.74 | $64.74 | $49.85 | $77.99 | $101.15 |
| Tinidazole500 mg × 4 tablets · Tindamax | $14.74Kroger | 3.2× | $46.82 | $14.74 | $34.39 | $37.88 | $29.90 | $23.90 | $19.70 |
| Tobramycin eye ointment0.3%, 3.5 g tube · Tobrex | $5.99Kroger | 5.5× | $7.07 | $5.99 | $17.53 | $33.13 | $26.58 | $12.99 | $13.00 |
| Tobramycin-dexamethasone eye drops0.3%/0.1%, 5 mL · Tobradex | $29.99Walgreens | 1.5× | $35.93 | $33.99 | $35.49 | $29.99 | $33.64 | $43.99 | $31.65 |
| Trimethoprim100 mg × 30 tablets | $7.90CVS | 11.1× | $69.16 | $35.30 | $68.08 | $60.15 | $7.90 | $87.99 | $63.89 |
| Vancomycin capsules125 mg × 40 capsules · Vancocin | $42.55CVS | 2.8× | $85.39 | $118.05 | $66.20 | $65.67 | $42.55 | $87.99 | $73.60 |
| Vancomycin oral solution250 mg per 5 mL, 150 mL | $133.34Walgreens | 3.1× | $416.50 | $387.81 | $265.32 | $133.34 | $171.63 | $293.90 | $188.00 |
Free discount-card prices, collected Nov 4, 2026. Package sizes differ between rows, so compare chains within a row, not drugs against each other. The Kroger column also covers Harris Teeter (HT). Download this table as CSV.
How to pay less for an antibiotic
Pick the drug with your prescriber, then shop the fill. You are comparing the price of the same prescription, never choosing a different antibiotic to save money.
- Before you leave
Ask for the generic
Ask the prescriber to write for the generic name and to e-prescribe it, so you can still pick the pharmacy afterwards.
- 5 minutes
Check 2–3 chains
Look up your exact drug and quantity at Kroger, Walmart and Food Lion if any is near you, plus your usual pharmacy.
- At the counter
Ask for the lowest cash price
Have the pharmacist run your insurance and a discount card. Take the lower of the two.
- If it is cheaper elsewhere
Transfer or send it
Pharmacies can usually transfer a new prescription. Ask your prescriber to resend it, or ask the new pharmacy to call for it.
Don't skip or stretch a course to save money
Stopping early or splitting doses can leave an infection untreated and feeds antibiotic resistance. If the price is a problem, call the prescriber or pharmacist and ask for a lower-cost option. Prices on this page are for comparison, not medical advice; your clinician chooses the drug, strength and length of treatment. Seek urgent care for high fever, trouble breathing, fainting or rapidly spreading redness.
Free antibiotics at Publix? Not anymore
Publix ran a free-antibiotics program from 2007 and ended its free prescription program on June 1, 2022. Its statement lists amoxicillin at $7.50 for a 14-day supply. Our discount-card price at Publix for amoxicillin 500 mg × 21 was $14.75, so ask the pharmacy for its own cash price before you use a card.
How we did this, and what it doesn't cover
We compared free discount-card prices for one package of each product, all collected on Nov 4, 2026.
What we did
- Collected 254 antibiotic product pages with prices at 9 pharmacy banners (Walmart ×2, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Publix, Walgreens, CVS, Costco, Food Lion).
- Removed injectables, hospital IV products, bulk powders, kits and duplicate listings, leaving 90 distinct prescriptions.
- Counted Kroger + Harris Teeter and Walmart's two outlets once, because their prices were identical.
- Defined "everyday" as 13 widely prescribed oral antibiotics, listed in the table above.
What it doesn't cover
- Insurance copays, Medicare plans, manufacturer coupons and each pharmacy's own cash or club prices.
- Your exact store: prices differ by city, state and day.
- Other strengths and pack sizes: each product is the one default package listed.
- Independent pharmacies, mail order and online pharmacies.
Where a brand name page returned another product's price, we dropped it or relabeled it by active ingredient, strength and quantity. The CSV above has every price in this study.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest pharmacy for antibiotics?
For everyday antibiotics, Kroger family pharmacies (Kroger and Harris Teeter) were cheapest in our data: $10.74 on average for one course of 13 common prescriptions, ahead of Food Lion ($11.73) and Walmart ($13.75). CVS was the highest at $23.62. The cheapest chain changes by drug, so check your specific prescription with the price finder above.
Is Walmart the cheapest pharmacy for antibiotics?
Often, but not always. Walmart had the lowest discount-card price on 6 of 13 everyday antibiotics, including amoxicillin ($5.65), cephalexin ($9.95), ciprofloxacin ($9.33) and metronidazole ($5.46). But Kroger beat it on Augmentin, Z-Pak, Bactrim DS, Macrobid and clindamycin, and Food Lion on penicillin V and levofloxacin.
Is CVS expensive for antibiotics?
For common ones, yes. CVS averaged $23.62 per course across 13 everyday antibiotics, about 2.2× Kroger. Amoxicillin was $15.73 at CVS versus $5.65 at Walmart. But CVS had the lowest price on 21 of the 27 prescriptions that cost $30–$100, including ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone ear drops ($45.40 vs $139.98 at the priciest chain).
What is the cheapest pharmacy for amoxicillin?
In our data Walmart, at $5.65 for 500 mg × 21 capsules, then Kroger ($7.99) and Food Lion ($10.38). CVS charged $15.73, 2.8× more. See the full amoxicillin price page.
Does Publix still give out free antibiotics?
No. Publix ended its free prescription program on June 1, 2022. The company's statement said amoxicillin became $7.50 for a 14-day supply under its replacement pricing. Publix's discount-card prices in our data were higher than Kroger, Walmart and Food Lion on nearly every everyday antibiotic, so ask the Publix pharmacy for its own cash price before using a card.
Why does the same antibiotic cost so different amounts?
Each pharmacy sets its own cash price and discount-card rate, and they differ drug by drug. In our data the same generic package cost a median 2.6× more at the priciest chain than at the cheapest. 56 of 76 competing prescriptions had a gap of 2× or more.
Are antibiotics from the cheaper pharmacy the same medicine?
A generic must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route as the brand and be bioequivalent, according to the FDA. Different generic makers can supply different pharmacies, but all must meet the same FDA quality standards. Price differences between chains are not a sign of weaker medicine.
How much do antibiotics cost without insurance?
A course of a common generic antibiotic cost $5–$30 with a free discount card in our data. The average across 13 everyday antibiotics ran from $10.74 at Kroger to $23.62 at CVS. Brand-only and specialty antibiotics cost far more, from $127 to $5,400. See our antibiotic price index.
Should I use my insurance or a discount card?
Ask the pharmacist to run both and tell you which is lower. A discount-card purchase is processed outside your insurance, so it may not count toward your deductible. For cheap generic antibiotics the card price is often below the copay, but not always.
Do these prices change?
Yes. Prices vary by store, city and date, and discount-card rates change. We re-collect prices regularly and show the date on every table. Treat these numbers as a guide to which chain tends to be cheaper, then confirm with the pharmacy before you pay.
Related guides
Sources
- RxHelp US pharmacy price panel: discount-card prices for 254 antibiotic products at 9 pharmacy banners (7 chains), collected Nov 4, 2026
- FDA — Generic drug facts (same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route; bioequivalence)
- FDA — What is the approval process for generic drugs?
- WEAR-TV (Pensacola) — Publix ends its free prescription program; statement: effective June 1, 2022, amoxicillin $7.50 for a 14-day supply
- Consumer Reports — So many drugstores, so many prices (2013 secret-shopper survey of 200+ pharmacies)
- Consumer Reports — Shop around for better drug prices
- CDC — Be Antibiotics Aware: when antibiotics are and aren't needed
- CDC — Antibiotic resistance: why finishing the prescribed course matters
How we researched this
Free discount-card prices (no membership) for 254 antibiotic product pages at 9 pharmacy banners, collected Nov 4, 2026 by the RxHelp US pharmacy price panel. We removed injectables, hospital IV products, bulk powders and duplicates, leaving 90 distinct retail prescriptions (76 with competing generic prices, 14 brand-only). Kroger and Harris Teeter priced identically on every product and Walmart's two outlets matched, so they count as one chain each. Prices vary by store and date. Methodology · Editorial policy
Last updated November 4, 2026. General education, not medical advice — a licensed clinician or pharmacist decides whether you need an antibiotic and which one.