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How much is olanzapine without insurance?

Learn how to get olanzapine without insurance, or find cheaper alternatives.
Karen Berger medical writer and reviewer headshot
By | Updated on Feb. 6, 2025 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Spilled Rx pills: How much does olanzapine cost without insurance?

Key takeaways

  • Olanzapine is a generic prescription drug used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

  • The price without insurance for a typical 30-day prescription can be as high as $573 for brand-name Zyprexa, but you can use a free SingleCare discount to pay as low as $12 per month for generic olanzapine, saving 96% on this prescription.

  • Other alternatives to olanzapine include quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone, lurasidone, and lamotrigine, among others.

  • Some ways to save on your generic olanzapine prescription include using a SingleCare card or coupon, purchasing a three-month supply, and checking prices at different pharmacies.

  • Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or any questions or concerns you have about your olanzapine prescription.

In this article:

Olanzapine is a generic prescription antipsychotic medication, also known by the brand name Zyprexa. Olanzapine is part of a group of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Olanzapine works by affecting neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain called dopamine and serotonin. For people without insurance, paying out of pocket for olanzapine can be costly. However, there are various ways to save on your prescription. 

Related: Olanzapine dosage | Olanzapine side effects | What is 0lanzapine

Is olanzapine covered by insurance?

The good news is that olanzapine is a generic prescription medication, and generics typically cost significantly less than brand-name drugs. Insurance plans and Medicare prescription plans typically cover generic versions of olanzapine. 

Copays or out-of-pocket costs will vary by plan, so if you have insurance, you can contact your company for the most recent information on coverage for generic olanzapine. 

Insurance plans and Medicare prescription plans may not cover brand-name Zyprexa. If they do provide coverage, the drug may require a prior authorization, and/or you may have a higher out-of-pocket cost than what you would pay for generic olanzapine. 

How much does olanzapine cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the average cost of a 30-day supply of generic olanzapine (#30, 5 mg tablets) is about $307. This can seem quite costly, at about $10 per pill and almost $3,700 per year. 

However, you can use a free SingleCare card or coupon to pay as low as $12 per month at participating pharmacies in the US and Puerto Rico. That’s only about 40 cents per pill and less than $150 per year—a savings of 96% on this drug’s cost.

Note that different factors will affect prices, such as pharmacy location, dosage, and quantity of medication. 

If you are interested in exploring alternatives to olanzapine, there are some options that are similar to olanzapine but may be lower in cost. 

RELATED: Olanzapine alternatives
Drug name Price without insurance of brand-name drug  SingleCare price Savings options
Zyprexa (olanzapine) $573 per 30, 5 mg tablets $12 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic olanzapine See updated prices
Seroquel (quetiapine) $252 per 30, 100 mg tablets $9 per 30, 100 mg tablets of generic quetiapine See updated prices
Abilify 

(aripiprazole)

 $907 per 30, 5 mg tablets $12 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic aripiprazole See updated prices
Risperdal (risperidone) $372 per 30, 1 mg tablets $4 per 30, 1 mg tablets of generic risperidone See updated prices
Latuda (lurasidone) $1,863 per 30, 40 mg tablets $18 per 30, 40 mg tablets of generic lurasidone See updated prices
Lamictal (lamotrigine) $764 per 30, 200 mg tablets $9 per 30, 200 mg tablets of generic lamotrigine 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 olanzapine without insurance

Even though olanzapine is available as a generic medication, paying full price without insurance can be expensive. The good news is that there are ways to save money on olanzapine.

  1. Use a SingleCare discount card. You can use the discount on a new prescription, as well as your refills. When you use a SingleCare discount to pay for olanzapine, you will save about 96% on your prescription. For a typical prescription, the price without insurance is $307, but you can pay as low as $12 per month at a participating pharmacy with your free SingleCare discount. Anyone can use SingleCare—there are no program requirements or eligibility criteria except for a valid prescription and using a participating pharmacy.
  2. Look into olanzapine alternatives. Although a typical prescription for olanzapine with a SingleCare card can cost as low as $12 per month, there may be other alternatives that cost even less. For example, in the table above, a one-month supply of risperidone costs as low as $4 by using SingleCare’s discount program. Prices will vary based on pharmacy location, dose, and quantity of medicine. Your doctor can help you explore these options, taking into account the dosage and quantity you will need.
  3. Get a three-month supply. Ask your pharmacist for a price quote for a 30-day supply compared to a 90-day supply—or even more. You may save more money when purchasing a larger quantity of medicine. Research has found that getting a 90-day supply (compared to a 30-day supply) results in greater cost savings as well as better adherence (taking your medicines as directed). One caveat—only do this if you do not expect your dosage to change. 
  4. Price shop. Compare prices at different pharmacies. It’s best to get all of your medicines at one pharmacy, though, so your pharmacist has your full list of medications and can check for drug interactions. If you are paying out of pocket for all of your medicines, see if you can find a pharmacy that will work with you in regard to prices. If you decide to use an online pharmacy or mail order pharmacy, make sure you are using a licensed, reputable pharmacy by checking the FDA pharmacy list. 
  5. Ask for advice. Ask your health care provider and pharmacist if they have any additional tips for saving money on your prescription and other prescriptions. They may know of resources available in your local community.

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