Search for articles or Rx savings
Key takeaways
Atenolol is a cost-effective generic beta blocker prescribed for high blood pressure and various heart conditions, with the brand-name version, Tenormin, being more expensive.
Health insurance typically covers atenolol, with prices for uninsured patients averaging around $18 for 30, 50 mg tablets, but varying by pharmacy.
Atenolol is the cheapest beta blocker available; however, less expensive alternatives for blood pressure medication exist, such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics, though they may have different side effects.
Savings on atenolol for those without insurance can be achieved through using SingleCare discount cards, shopping around for the best pharmacy prices, or considering online pharmacies and 90-day prescriptions for additional discounts.
Is atenolol covered by insurance? | How much does atenolol cost without insurance? | How to get atenolol without insurance
Atenolol is a generic prescription drug that is FDA-approved to lower high blood pressure (hypertension), control chest pain (angina), and reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. It may also be given off-label to treat migraines, heart failure, or irregular heartbeats. Atenolol belongs to the class known as beta blockers, a family of drugs that widen blood vessels, slow the heart rate, and decrease the force of individual heartbeats.
Atenolol tablets are taken once a day and doses are determined by the type and severity of the condition being treated. The side effects of atenolol include low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, and allergic reactions. Atenolol is an inexpensive drug, but expect to pay more for the brand-name version, Tenormin. However, you can always pay less just by following a few simple cost-savings tips.
Is atenolol covered by insurance?
Health insurance usually covers atenolol if it’s prescribed for an FDA-approved indication. This includes commercial health insurance, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, VA, and Tricare.
How much does atenolol cost without insurance?
Most uninsured people won’t pay much for atenolol. The average cash price is about $18 for 30, 50 mg tablets, but the price can range from $6 to $22, depending on the pharmacy. The price usually is not affected by the dosage strength prescribed.
As with all prescription medications, a health insurance plan can lower the out-of-pocket expense. Insurance companies typically place atenolol in their lowest tier in terms of copay cost. Other factors, however, determine the final out-of-pocket cost, including any deductibles, coinsurance, or, for Medicare Part D, the coverage phase.
For those wondering about less expensive alternatives, atenolol is currently the cheapest beta blocker on the market. Other beta blockers can be used to treat high blood pressure or angina, but they will cost more. Acebutolol costs about twice as much as generic atenolol. Generic metoprolol, propranolol, bisoprolol, and betaxolol will cost about three times as much.
However, there are less expensive blood pressure medications available. These include ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, angiotensin II receptor blockers such as losartan, calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, and diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide. That doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea to switch blood pressure medications. These alternatives may not be as effective and can have different side effects or drug interactions. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice and additional drug information before switching medications.
Compare atenolol prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Tenormin
(atenolol) |
$480 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $1 per 30, 50 mg tablets of generic atenolol | See updated prices |
| Acebutolol | $35 per 30, 200 mg tablets of generic acebutolol | $6 per 30, 200 mg tablets of generic acebutolol | See updated prices |
| Propranolol | $42 per 60, 20 mg tablets of generic propranolol | $4 per 60, 20 mg tablets of generic propranolol | See updated prices |
| Bisoprolol | $50 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic bisoprolol | $5 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic bisoprolol | See updated prices |
| Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) | $102 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $2 per 60, 50 mg tablets of generic metoprolol tartrate | See updated prices |
| Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate ER) | $59 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $3 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic metoprolol succinate ER | See updated prices |
| Inderal LA (extended-release propranolol) | $1,929 per 30, 60 mg capsules | $8 per 30, 60 mg capsules of generic propranolol ER | See updated prices |
| Betaxolol hydrochloride | $78 per 5 mL bottle of 5% generic betaxolol hydrochloride solution | $12 per 5 mL bottle of 5% generic betaxolol hydrochloride solution | See updated prices |
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. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get atenolol without insurance
Although atenolol is mostly affordable, some people who can’t afford the drug can turn to state or community assistance programs. Because of eligibility requirements, many people won’t qualify and will still have to pay the full cash price. But why pay full retail price even if it’s affordable? People lacking health insurance do have ready and easily-accessible ways to cut that price down to as low as $1 per month.
1. Start by using a SingleCare savings card
With a SingleCare discount card, people can purchase a 30-day supply of atenolol at possibly the lowest discount price available: $1. Discount prices will vary by participating pharmacies, so SingleCare users can choose atenolol coupons based on the lowest price or their favorite local pharmacy. Consult SingleCare’s FAQs for additional information.
2. Call around for the lowest price
The average price per month for atenolol is $18. That’s the average price. Pharmacies, like other businesses, charge different prices. Purchasing atenolol at its highest pharmacy price will cost about $22. Finding the lowest price will reduce that cost to about $6.
3. Or just go to a pharmacy with a $4 generic meds program
If calling around sounds like too much effort, find a pharmacy that has a cheap generics program that includes atenolol. These programs typically sell a host of inexpensive generic medications for $4 regardless of the dosage strength.
4. Unless an online pharmacy has a lower price
If waiting for a delivery is not a problem, some of the best prescription savings can be found at online mail-order pharmacies. The price for 30 days of atenolol can be as low as $3 at an online pharmacy including shipping.
5. Don’t forget to price out a 90-day prescription
Some pharmacies charge nearly the same amount for 90 atenolol tablets as they do for 30, a savings of 50% or more per tablet. Some, though, just charge three times as much. When calling around for prices, make sure to ask for the price for a 90-day supply. Of course, the prescribing healthcare provider may need to write out a 90-day prescription.