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Key takeaways
Nurtec ODT, a prescription drug for migraine prevention and relief, costs $1,260 for eight 75 mg tablets without insurance, potentially reaching over $30,000 annually for prevention.
Many health insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid plans cover Nurtec, but coverage varies, and high copays may apply, though copay cards can help reduce costs.
Generic alternatives for Nurtec won’t be available until 2039, but savings can be found through SingleCare coupons, reducing the cost to as low as $862 for eight tablets.
To manage costs without insurance, consider using SingleCare, comparing pharmacy prices, exploring health insurance or Medicaid, and discussing generic drug options with healthcare providers.
Nurtec ODT (orally disintegrating tablet) is a brand-name prescription drug that helps prevent migraine headaches or relieve the symptoms of a migraine episode. Its active ingredient, rimegepant, affects blood vessel dilation, inflammation, and pain signals. All of these contribute to migraine symptoms. For prevention, Nurtec is taken every other day to reduce the incidence of migraine headaches. For symptom relief, people take Nurtec at the onset of a migraine headache. Nurtec is a brand-name drug with a premium price. There are no generic versions, but there are ways to save money without insurance coverage.
Related: Nurtec side effects
What is the generic for Nurtec?
The active ingredient in Nurtec is rimegepant. A generic version will not be available until 2039.
Is Nurtec covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans, Medicare Part D plans, and Medicaid plans cover Nurtec. But coverage is not universal. Many insurance companies put Nurtec in their higher copay tiers, but eligible patients can defray part of that cost using a copay card from Biohaven, the manufacturer. Deductibles or coverage gaps may add to the cost.
How much does Nurtec cost without insurance?
Nurtec is a premium-priced drug. At the average retail price, eight 75 mg tablets cost $1,326. The monthly cost will vary. For episodic migraine relief, eight pills may be enough to last for more than a month. But for migraine prevention, the standard dose is 15 to 16 pills per month, with one pill taken every other day. That will cost around $2,600 per month or $31,200 annually.
Tablets similar to Nurtec are also premium-priced, so switching may not save money. Nurtec belongs to a family of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors (CGRP inhibitors). Most are injections, but three can be taken as tablets: Nurtec, Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), and Qulipta (atogepant). Ubrelvy is FDA-approved only to treat migraine attacks. Qulipta is FDA-approved only to prevent migraines. Nurtec ODT is FDA-approved for both treatment and prevention.
The injectable CGRP inhibitors—Aimovig (erenumab), Ajovy (fremanezumab), Emgality (galcanezumab), and Vyepti (eptinezumab)—are only used to prevent migraines. These drugs are taken as self-administered injections, usually once per month. All cost about $1,000 or more per month at full cash price, so for migraine prevention, most cost less than Nurtec.
If these newer migraine medications are too pricey, lower-priced generic migraine prevention treatments such as beta blockers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants are also available. Lower-cost generic drugs can also be used for the acute treatment of migraine, including NSAIDs, triptans, and ergot drugs.
Nurtec ODT savings are also available by using a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare discount price for eight Nurtec tablets is $852.
| Compare Nurtec (rimegepant) prices to related drugs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Nurtec
(rimegepant) |
$1,326 per 8, 75 mg tablets | $852 per 8, 75 mg tablets of brand-name Nurtec | See latest prices |
| Aimovig
(erenumab-aooe) |
$1,065 per 1, 1 mL of 140 mg/mL auto-injector pen | $741 per 1, 140 mg/mL pen of brand-name Aimovig | See latest prices |
| Emgality
(galcanezumab-gnlm) |
$934 per 1, 1 mL of 120 mg/mL auto-injector pen | $696 per 1, 120 mg/mL auto-injector pen of brand-name Emgality | See latest prices |
| Ajovy
(Fremanezumab-vfrm) |
$989 per 1, 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL auto-injector pen | $644 per 1, 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL auto-injector pen of brand-name Ajovy | See latest prices |
| Qulipta
(atogepant) |
$1495 per 30, 60 mg tablets | $883 per 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Qulipta | See latest 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 (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 Nurtec without insurance
The newest migraine medications, though effective, are all higher-priced brand-name drugs. For migraine prevention, Nurtec could cost over $30,000 per year without insurance coverage. The manufacturer’s patient assistance program might help some uninsured people, but not everyone meets the rigorous eligibility requirements. Everyone can, however, find significant Nurtec ODT savings using a free coupon from SingleCare.
1. Purchase Nurtec with a SingleCare savings card
SingleCare’s savings program offers Nurtec coupons that can reduce the cost of eight Nurtec tablets from $1,326 to as low as $852. In addition to available discounts, the Nurtec coupons page has a FAQ section filled with information on saving money.
2. Find the lowest pharmacy price
While it is true that pharmacies charge different prices for the same prescription, comparing prices for prescription medications can be hard to do. Instead, visit SingleCare’s Nurtec price history table to quickly find the lowest price for Nurtec.
3. Consider health insurance
Health insurance may be less expensive in the long run for long-term medical conditions like migraines. Visit your state’s health insurance marketplace to research the available prices and offerings. Talk to an agent about calculating a policy’s total value. Make sure needed prescription drugs like Nurtec are covered at an affordable out-of-pocket cost.
4. Consider Medicaid
If you qualify for Medicaid, prescription medications for conditions like migraine may be covered. Eligibility requirements can be found on each state’s Medicaid website. If you are eligible, you can enroll on the website or with the help of local health department staff.
5. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about other migraine drugs
There are other types of medications that prevent and treat migraines. They work differently and may not be as effective as Nurtec for some people. They also have different side effects and drug interactions. Start by having a talk with your healthcare professional about the migraine treatment that is best for you.
Sources
- Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2021)
- Nurtec ODT Savings and Support, Pfizer Inc. (2024)