How Much Are Antibiotics Without Insurance? 2026 Price Index of 23 Common Antibiotics
Most common antibiotics are cheaper than people expect. A full course of a generic usually costs less than a takeout lunch with a free discount card. But the same bottle can cost 2–11× more at the wrong pharmacy, and a few brand-name antibiotics cost hundreds. Here are real prices for the 23 antibiotics Americans are prescribed most, and how to pay the lowest one.
- Updated Sep 24, 2026
- Prices checked Aug 17, 2026 · Medicare data 2024
- 7 cited sources
- No paid placements
On this page 9 sections
Quick answer
Most common antibiotics cost about $6–$30 for a full course without insurance when you use a free pharmacy discount card. In our 2026 data the cheapest was sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim) from $5.80, and amoxicillin started at $6.22.
Where you fill it matters a lot. The same bottle cost 2–3× more at the priciest chain for most drugs, and 11× more for trimethoprim ($7.90 vs. $87.99). No single chain was cheapest for everything.
The exceptions are brand-only and newer drugs. Xifaxan (rifaximin) runs $374+ for 6 tablets, and brand names like Macrobid list for 12× their generic. Getting the prescription costs extra: about $25–$99 online or $150+ at urgent care.
2026 antibiotic price index: the 23 most-prescribed antibiotics
Ranked by how often Medicare patients were prescribed them in 2024. Tap any column header to sort by price, price gap or popularity.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Antibiotic | Package priced | Lowest cash price | Highest cash price | Pharmacy gap | Medicare Rx, 2024 | Medicare cost per Rx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmoxicillinAmoxil | 500 mg × 21 caps | $6.22 | $15.73 | 2.5× | 9.46M | $3.10 |
| AzithromycinZithromax, Z-Pak | 6 tabs (Z-Pak) | $8.93 | $25.05 | 2.8× | 8.78M | $5.20 |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanateAugmentin | 875/125 mg × 20 tabs | $13.84 | $27.78 | 2.0× | 7.72M | $9.36 |
| CephalexinKeflex | 500 mg × 28 caps | $11.46 | $25.92 | 2.3× | 7.49M | $7.68 |
| Doxycycline hyclateVibramycin | 100 mg × 14 caps | $10.11 | $25.11 | 2.5× | 6.67M | $12.23 |
| CiprofloxacinCipro | 500 mg × 14 tabs | $10.60 | $22.76 | 2.1× | 4.86M | $6.72 |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprimBactrim | 800/160 mg × 14 tabs | $5.80 | $16.65 | 2.9× | 4.74M | $4.92 |
| NitrofurantoinMacrobid | 100 mg × 10 caps | $8.50 | $25.54 | 3.0× | 4.19M | $14.69 |
| LevofloxacinLevaquin | 500 mg × 10 tabs | $10.21 | $30.75 | 3.0× | 2.50M | $5.97 |
| CefdinirOmnicef | 300 mg × 20 caps | $17.80 | $29.20 | 1.6× | 2.31M | $15.28 |
| MetronidazoleFlagyl | 500 mg × 14 tabs | $6.01 | $17.55 | 2.9× | 2.26M | $24.95 |
| ClindamycinCleocin | 300 mg × 30 caps | $11.83 | $33.70 | 2.8× | 2.15M | $7.80 |
| Doxycycline monohydrateMonodox | 100 mg × 14 caps | $10.82 | $26.04 | 2.4× | 1.93M | $15.67 |
| ErythromycinEry-Tab | 500 mg × 6 tabs | $29.14 | $82.81 | 2.8× | 1.49M | $19.49 |
| CefuroximeCeftin | 500 mg × 14 tabs | $15.91 | $27.99 | 1.8× | 1.15M | $14.97 |
| Cefadroxil | 500 mg × 14 caps | $11.57 | $26.04 | 2.3× | 0.54M | $13.51 |
| Cefpodoxime | 200 mg × 14 tabs | $35.59 | $74.26 | 2.1× | 0.53M | $48.32 |
| Penicillin VPenicillin VK | 500 mg × 28 tabs | $11.64 | $29.19 | 2.5× | 0.47M | $6.52 |
| MinocyclineMinocin | 100 mg × 60 caps | $30.50 | $39.84 | 1.3× | 0.35M | $25.96 |
| Trimethoprim | 100 mg × 30 tabs | $7.90 | $87.99 | 11.1× | 0.19M | $54.35 |
| LinezolidZyvox | 600 mg × 14 tabs | $32.64 | $205.94 | 6.3× | 0.15M | $119.77 |
| FosfomycinMonurol | 3 g × 1 packet | $30.61 | $42.67 | 1.4× | 0.13M | $156.10 |
| RifaximinXifaxan, brand only | 550 mg × 6 tabs | $373.95 | $420.75 | 1.1× | 0.42M | $2,779.31 |
Cash prices: discount-card prices across 9 US pharmacy chains (RxHelp US pharmacy price panel, Aug 17, 2026) for the package shown. Your prescribed quantity may differ. "Pharmacy gap" = highest ÷ lowest price. Medicare columns: CMS Part D Spending by Drug, 2024, gross cost per prescription (plan + patient share, before rebates), across all strengths and quantities. The clinician chooses the drug; this table is for budgeting.
Same bottle, different price: the pharmacy gap
For most antibiotics the priciest chain charged 2–3× the cheapest for the identical package. For trimethoprim it was 11×.
Lowest to highest discount-card price, same package
Each bar spans the cheapest and the most expensive of 9 US chains.
RxHelp US pharmacy price panel, discount-card prices, Aug 17, 2026. Linezolid is off this scale: $32.64–$205.94 for 14 tablets, a 6.3× gap.
No chain wins everything
In our data CVS was the most expensive chain for nitrofurantoin ($25.54) but the cheapest for trimethoprim ($7.90, versus $87.99 at Costco). Check the price for your specific drug. "My usual pharmacy is cheap" isn't a safe assumption.
Three prices for the same antibiotic
What you pay depends on which price the pharmacy runs. You can ask for the lowest one.
| Price | What it is | When it's the lowest |
|---|---|---|
| List ("retail") price | The pharmacy's undiscounted cash price | Almost never. It's the number you get if you just walk up and pay |
| Discount-card price | A pre-negotiated cash price through a free discount program. No insurance involved | Usually, for cheap generics without insurance, and sometimes even with insurance |
| Insurance copay | Your plan's share, set by your formulary and deductible | For expensive or brand-name drugs, once your deductible is met |
Your pharmacist is allowed to tell you
Two 2018 federal laws, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act, banned "gag clauses" that stopped pharmacists from saying when paying cash is cheaper than your copay. Ask "What's the cash price with a discount card versus my copay?" You generally use one or the other on a single fill, not both.
Brand vs. generic: the biggest single saving
At the same pharmacy, the brand name listed for 2–12× the generic. FDA-approved generics have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route as the brand.
Average retail (list) prices at Walgreens for the same quantity, before discounts: Macrobid $188.00 vs generic nitrofurantoin $15.33 · Cipro $108.36 vs $26.22 · Bactrim DS $48.86 vs $17.42 · Cleocin $123.60 vs $54.08 · Zithromax Z-Pak $55.02 vs $29.58. RxHelp US pharmacy price panel, Aug 17, 2026.
The expensive exceptions
Nearly every common antibiotic is a cheap generic. One brand-only drug cost Medicare more than the other 22 antibiotics in our index combined.
Xifaxan (rifaximin) made up just 0.5% of Medicare antibiotic prescriptions in 2024 but 39% of the spending: $1.16 billion of $2.94 billion. Amoxicillin was the reverse, at 11% of prescriptions and 1% of spending.CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug, 2024, 226 antibiotic products (gross cost, before rebates)
Brand-only or newer drugs
Hundreds of dollars without coverage
- Xifaxan 550 mg × 6 tabs: $373.95–$420.75 (Medicare average $2,779 per prescription)
- Linezolid 600 mg × 14: $32.64–$205.94
- New UTI brands (Pivya, Blujepa, Orlynvah): $912–$3,147 per box. See the UTI price table
If you're prescribed one
Before paying cash
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic alternative fits your case
- Ask whether insurance needs prior authorization, which can turn a $400 bill into a copay
- Ask the pharmacist about manufacturer copay programs
Would Canada be cheaper?
Per pill, Canada was cheaper for 13 of 17 antibiotics we could match, and the US was cheaper for 4. For a course you need to start today, shipping time usually makes it moot.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Antibiotic | US, lowest per pill | Canada, lowest per pill | Cheaper in | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erythromycin | $4.36 | $0.29 | Canada | 93% |
| Ciprofloxacin | $0.56 | $0.12 | Canada | 78% |
| Cefpodoxime | $2.33 | $0.63 | Canada | 73% |
| Cefadroxil | $0.61 | $0.18 | Canada | 71% |
| Levofloxacin | $0.83 | $0.27 | Canada | 67% |
| Azithromycin | $0.99 | $0.40 | Canada | 60% |
| Doxycycline hyclate | $0.55 | $0.30 | Canada | 45% |
| Cephalexin | $0.30 | $0.18 | Canada | 40% |
| Minocycline | $0.51 | $0.33 | Canada | 35% |
| Linezolid | $2.12 | $1.38 | Canada | 35% |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanate | $0.54 | $0.37 | Canada | 32% |
| Metronidazole | $0.21 | $0.15 | Canada | 30% |
| Amoxicillin | $0.15 | $0.11 | Canada | 28% |
| Clindamycin | $0.29 | $0.32 | US | 8% |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim | $0.20 | $0.27 | US | 26% |
| Penicillin V | $0.35 | $0.50 | US | 30% |
| Trimethoprim | $0.16 | $0.98 | US | 83% |
Lowest per-pill prices for oral tablets and capsules. US: discount-card prices. Canada: licensed online Canadian pharmacies. RxHelp price panel, Aug 2026. Canadian mail-order usually takes days to weeks, so it suits long courses (e.g. acne treatment) more than acute infections. See US vs Canada pharmacy prices for the legal side.
How to pay the lowest price for an antibiotic
Four steps, about five minutes, and the savings on most generics are $5–$20. On brand names it's much more.
- At the visit
Ask for the generic
Nearly every common antibiotic has one. Ask the prescriber if a generic works for you.
- Before the e-Rx
Pick the cheapest chain
Check prices for your drug first. The e-prescription goes where you tell it, and moving it later takes a call.
- At the counter
Ask for both prices
Discount-card cash price versus your copay. Pay the lower one.
- Long courses
Check Canada
For multi-month treatment, compare Canadian per-pill prices.
Don't forget the cost of getting the prescription
Without insurance, the visit often costs more than the antibiotic. Online care is the cheapest way to get a prescription for simple infections.
Visit prices from providers' own pages, Sep 2026. Full comparison: 10 online prescription services compared.
Frequently asked questions
How much are antibiotics without insurance?
For the most commonly prescribed generics, about $6–$30 for a typical course with a free pharmacy discount card. For example, in our August 2026 data: amoxicillin 500 mg × 21 from $6.22, azithromycin Z-Pak from $8.93, cephalexin 500 mg × 28 from $11.46, and amoxicillin-clavulanate 875 mg × 20 from $13.84. Without a discount card, the pharmacy's list price is often much higher. Brand-only drugs like Xifaxan cost hundreds.
How much is amoxicillin without insurance?
Generic amoxicillin 500 mg (21 capsules) cost $6.22–$15.73 with a discount card across 9 US chains in August 2026. It's the most prescribed antibiotic in Medicare, with 9.5 million prescriptions in 2024. See amoxicillin prices by pharmacy.
How much is a Z-Pak without insurance?
Generic azithromycin (6-tablet Z-Pak) cost $8.93–$25.05 with a discount card in our data. The brand, Zithromax Z-Pak, listed at $55.02 at Walgreens versus $29.58 for the generic at the same store, before any discount.
How much are UTI antibiotics without insurance?
Common UTI generics: sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim from $5.80, nitrofurantoin (Macrobid generic) from $8.50, cephalexin from $11.46, and single-dose fosfomycin from $30.61. The prescription itself costs about $25–$65 online. Details in how to get antibiotics for a UTI.
What is the cheapest antibiotic?
In our index, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (from $5.80 for 14 tablets), metronidazole (from $6.01) and amoxicillin (from $6.22) had the lowest course prices. The "cheapest" antibiotic only matters if it's the right one. Your prescriber picks the drug, and you pick the pharmacy.
How can I get antibiotics without insurance?
Get the prescription from a cash-price telehealth service ($25–$129) or a retail clinic, then fill it with a free pharmacy discount card at the cheapest nearby chain. Compare online prescription services.
Is a discount card cheaper than insurance for antibiotics?
Often, for cheap generics. If your copay is $10–$20, a $6–$12 discount-card price can beat it. You generally use one or the other on a single fill, not both. Since 2018, federal law has barred insurer "gag clauses," so your pharmacist can tell you when paying cash is cheaper. Ask them to check both.
Why do antibiotic prices vary so much between pharmacies?
Each chain sets its own cash prices and negotiates its own discount-program rates, so there's no standard price. In our data the spread was usually 2–3× and reached 11× for trimethoprim. The same chain can be cheapest for one drug and priciest for another.
Are antibiotics cheaper in Canada?
Per pill, often yes. Ciprofloxacin was 78% cheaper and erythromycin 93% cheaper in our data, while sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, trimethoprim, penicillin V and clindamycin were cheaper in the US. For a short course you need today, mail-order shipping time usually rules Canada out. See US vs Canada pharmacy prices.
Related guides
Sources
- CMS — Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (2024 data)
- CMS — Medicare Part D Spending by Drug methodology (gross cost, rebates not reflected)
- Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (S. 2554, 2018)
- ASHP — Pharmacists now can tell insured patients about lower-cost option (2018)
- FDA — Generic drugs: overview and basics
- FDA — What is the approval process for generic drugs?
- RxHelp — Methodology: how we collect prices
How we researched this
Cash prices are discount-card prices from our US pharmacy price panel (9 chains, checked Aug 17, 2026) for the package shown. The "most prescribed" ranking and Medicare cost per prescription come from CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (2024), which reports gross cost (plan plus patient share, before manufacturer rebates). Canada prices are the lowest per-pill oral tablet/capsule prices from licensed online Canadian pharmacies in our panel. We don't take payment from any pharmacy or discount program. Methodology · Editorial policy
Last updated September 24, 2026. General education, not medical advice — a licensed clinician or pharmacist decides whether you need an antibiotic and which one.