How much is Addyi without insurance?

In this article:

• What is the generic for Addyi?
• Is Addyi covered by insurance?
• How much does Addyi cost without insurance?
• How to get Addyi without insurance

In this article

• What is the generic for Addyi?
• Is Addyi covered by insurance?
• How much does Addyi cost without insurance?
• How to get Addyi without insurance

Addyi (generic active ingredient, flibanserin) is a prescription medication used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or low sexual desire, in pre-menopausal women. Without insurance, Addyi costs $1055 for 30, 100mg tablets. Although there are no over-the-counter alternatives, there are several ways to make an Addyi prescription more affordable. 

What is the generic for Addyi?

Addyi, which Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Inc. manufactures, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2015 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in pre-menopausal women. The FDA approval was based on three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that demonstrated efficacy over placebo for HSDD symptoms, with efficacy found in approximately 50% of women. 

Unlike the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor drug class used for male erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Addyi is not an on-demand medication and must be taken daily at bedtime to increase desire. The active ingredient, flibanserin, is a postsynaptic serotonin agonist (5-HT1a) and antagonist (5-HT2a), with moderative antagonist activity at several other receptors, including dopamine D4. Dopamine and norepinephrine boost sexual interest, while serotonin impedes sexual desire. Therefore, this medication’s action is by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine while decreasing serotonin activity. 

Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is another medication that can treat low sex drive in women who have not yet gone through menopause and is available as an injectable product. Its cash price exceeds $2000 per 8 doses, which can be taken as needed. Addyi is currently only available as a brand-name drug, but a generic Addyi may be available after 2028. 

Is Addyi covered by insurance?

Some commercial insurance plans may help cover Addyi, but the final cost to consumers will depend on the health insurance coverage and formulary. You can contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about coverage and associated costs. Plans may have criteria to be met to offer coverage, including specific documentation from the provider to confirm the patient is pre-menopausal with a diagnosis of HSDD. Medicare plans do not typically cover Addyi. 

How much does Addyi cost without insurance?

Addyi copays with insurance will vary by plan. Some insurance providers may have a deductible that must be met before copays kick in, while others may have tiered formularies such that certain medications are assigned different copays. The average cash price, without insurance, is $1,055 for 30, 100mg tablets. Since Addyi must be taken daily, this amounts to approximately $12,660 per year and $35 per tablet (per day). 

While pharmacological options specific for the management of HSDD are limited, a variety of other treatment options are available to improve sexual performance, including lifestyle modifications and psychotherapy, as well as an evaluation of current medications that may be contributing to low sex drive. Seek medical advice from healthcare professionals, like a Pharm.D., to help review prescription drugs and herbal supplements that may be contributing to low libido. In addition, if there is a concern for an underlying medical condition causing the symptoms, those should be addressed. For example, if mental health concerns like depression are present, it can be associated with sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, many first-line agents used to treat depression may further cause sexual dysfunction, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs. There are a handful of antidepressants that either do not cause sexual dysfunction or have a less severe side effect that would be preferable in this scenario. These preferred options include buspirone, mirtazapine, vilazodone, and vortioxetine. 

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Addyi without insurance

Paying for expensive brand-name and even generic medications without insurance may be difficult for the average person. Addyi is no exception. Fortunately, there are alternatives to paying the full price of your Addyi prescription without insurance. Manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs are sometimes available, but not everyone is eligible for these discounts. Here are some more dependable ways to save money on Addyi:

1. Use a SingleCare discount card

A SingleCare discount card may help reduce the cost of Addyi. For example, instead of paying $1055 per month, you could pay as low as $790 per month at participating pharmacies. This could result in $265 in savings per month, or over $3000 in savings per year.

2. Try non-pharmacologic approaches

If cost is a barrier to Addyi, it is worthwhile discussing with your healthcare provider about non-pharmacological alternatives like psychotherapy to better understand a potential root cause of low libido.

3. Compare prices at multiple pharmacies

Prices for Addyi vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Scope out different pharmacies to see where you can get the lowest price and maximum savings. Pharmacies may also provide discounts or savings offers, so make sure to speak to your pharmacist. 

4. Seek professional advice from a healthcare provider on other treatment options

Financial constraints are difficult, and open communication with your healthcare provider is strongly encouraged if accessing Addyi is a problem. Sexual health is an important component of overall women’s health, and the right healthcare provider may provide safe alternatives. One area that can be explored is hormone testing to evaluate for any imbalances that could be managed. However, the verdict on the direct relationship between hormone levels and sexual desire remains unclear. In addition, a hormone-free dietary supplement known as Ristela has been used to improve sexual health in women.