How Much Does an EpiPen Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

An EpiPen is a device that is used to treat acute allergic reactions such as those caused by food, drugs, and insect bites.

If you suffer from severe allergies, a negative reaction is always something you may constantly worry about.  This is especially true if you are a parent of a child with severe allergies.  If you or your child has allergic reactions, it would be best if you keep an epinephrine autoinjector or EpiPen handy.  It helps to tighten blood vessels and open up the lung’s airways so that the affected person can breathe normally.

EpiPen Auto Injector by gregfriese, on Flickr
“EpiPen Auto Injector” (CC BY 2.0) by  gregfriese

How much does an EpiPen cost?

The cost of the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. depends on the pharmacy and if you have insurance.  Plan on spending at least $600 to $700 without insurance for two auto injectors.  However, as we stated in our saving money section below, there are ways to bring the costs down, even without insurance.

Mylan, the manufacturer, has raised the price from as little as $100 in 2009 to more than $600 in 2017, according to The Washington Times.

Even though the device contains the drug, epinephrine, which costs as little as $1, the New York Times talked about how the company is charging $609 per box.

Inside our table below, we called various pharmacies across the United States and were given a “ballpark” cash price.  These prices could vary as prices for prescriptions always change.

RetailerAverage Cost
Costco- EpiPen (brand): $630
-EpiPen JR (brand): $630
- epinephrine (generic): $275
CVS- EpiPen (brand): $630
-EpiPen JR (brand): $630
- epinephrine (generic): $145
Independent- EpiPen (brand): $650
-EpiPen JR (brand): $650
- epinephrine (generic): $330
Kmart- EpiPen (brand): $660
-EpiPen JR (brand): $660
- epinephrine (generic): $345
Kroger- EpiPen (brand): $645
-EpiPen JR (brand): $645
- epinephrine (generic): $290
Meijer- EpiPen (brand): $615
-EpiPen JR (brand): $615
- epinephrine (generic): $320
Rite Aid- EpiPen (brand): $650
-EpiPen JR (brand): $650
- epinephrine (generic): $157
Sam's Club- EpiPen (brand): $630
-EpiPen JR (brand): $630
- epinephrine (generic): $387
Target- EpiPen (brand): $630
-EpiPen JR (brand): $630
- epinephrine (generic): $230
Walgreens- EpiPen (brand): $660
-EpiPen JR (brand): $660
- epinephrine (generic): $148
Walmart- EpiPen (brand): $650
-EpiPen JR (brand): $650
- epinephrine (generic): $387

NOTE:  You can bring these costs down if you use the coupons mentioned below.

What are the extra costs?

Since you need a prescription for an EpiPen, a doctor’s visit will be necessary, which depending on your insurance, can cost upwards of $150.  In the United States, at this time, you won’t be able to purchase it over the counter.

Tips to know:

The EpiPen comes with a spring-loaded needle that releases the medication through an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection and is manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals.   This medicine can only be injected into the muscle of the outer thigh only.

Side effects include sweating, nausea and vomiting, pale skin, dizziness, and headache.

In addition to carrying an EpiPen, inform the people around you that you have it, where it is, and how to use it.  If you are alone, you should carry a card in your purse or wallet listing your allergies;  this way, if something happens while you are out, the paramedics will have a better idea of what is wrong.

Always check the expiration date when picking up at the pharmacy.  At a minimum, it should be good for at least a year; if not, speak with the pharmacist for a different injector with a longer expiration date.

Even if you have insurance, talk with your provider to see what they cover.  For example, Cigna will only cover the generic version, not the branded EpiPen.  Medicare won’t cover the drug and the typical co-pay range is $360.

How can I save money?

Be sure to check with your insurance company to see how much money you can potentially save.  If you do not have health insurance or you are looking for a new policy, consider looking for policies on websites such as eHealthInsurance.com.

Refer to the official website for a coupon.  For example, at the time of this writing, there’s a coupon available that can help you save up to $300.  Also, if you meet certain income requirements, the manufacturer may also help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.  To enroll, you must fill out this form.

Ask your doctor for free samples of Epipen. Just try to check the expiration date on the samples before using them.

Check out State Prescription Assistance Programs. Some states provide this kind of assistance. You can visit their website for a plan based on your state.

Drugs.com recommends alternatives for the EpiPen such as an authorized generic, Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or Sympjepi, all of which, cost less than $360.  In fact, the generic Andrenaclick can cost as little as $10.  They also note that, in Canada, you can purchase the EpiPen for as little as $80, and you won’t need a prescription.  However, if you were to cross the border, you may be questioned and have it confiscated by customs officials.


Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.

Null

Average Reported Cost: $404.2

90 %
10 %
Less Expensive $1 $1.5K $3K $5K $6.5K More Expensive $8k

How much did you spend?

Was it worth it?  

  1. Kroger (ROANOKE,  Virginia) paid $780 and said:

    Your information must be OLD, a 2pack at Kroger is 780.00!!!
    Guess I’ll just die if stung – that’s outrageous!

    Was it worth it? Yes

  2. Summer (Albany,  New York) paid $351 and said:

    My brother has a horrible allergy but has never needed to use a epi pen. At CVS we had a 100 copay and was still very expenive. In 2015 the cost was 100 dollars less at CVS. Did we get roped of or did the price go up?

    Was it worth it? No

  3. MB (Zion,  Illinois) paid $ and said:

    Just went to pick up a prescription for a two pack yesterday at CVS when he said $600, I said no thanks! He told me my insurance covered $100 of the cost it was $700. And that I could go print a coupon off the internet and get another $100 off. Still walked out with no prescription. Decided on Benadryl for now. I camnot make myself pay $500 or $600 for something that will be thrown away and not used. We have bought these for 15 years and never used one, (luckily). I just wonder how many more people are gonna just go without. We can’t afford that. I checked around and the cheapest I could find was $585 at Meijer.

    Was it worth it? Yes

  4. Claire Alexander (New Orleans,  Louisiana) paid $600 and said:

    I have a severe allergy to any wheat product. My doctor gave me a prescription for the epi-pen. It was 600.00 at the Wal-mart on Behrman Highway. I couldn’t afford it and I really needed it. I ended up in the emergency room of Ochsner hospital. They saved my life and I am very grateful. Unfortunately, I now owe thousands of dollars in medical bills. I am afraid to eat in restaurants. I will eat nothing unless I read the label first. I am very, very careful of everything I eat. Oh, that epi-pen? I still don’t have it because I don’t have the money to buy it.

    Was it worth it? Yes

  5. Wineinger (Suffolk,  Virginia) paid $685 and said:

    they keep jacking up the price. this HAS TO BE ILLEGAL ! !

    Was it worth it? Yes

  6. Matty (Bloomington,  Illinois) paid $690 and said:

    Cash cost at Walmart in Normal, Illinois on Greenbriar was $690.31. These low costs they are reporting must be online prices, or yes, old prices. Yes it was worth it. Living is always worth it, yet that’s a mortgage payment!

    Was it worth it? Yes

  7. gerry (chicago,  Illinois) paid $500 and said:

    Good thing the corrupt greedy CEO of Mylan, the daughter of Democrat Senator of WVA Joe Manchin crooked dad wasn’t a Republican or she would be out of a job.
    Why deosn’t the Crooked Crime Family, the Arkansas mafia, the Clinton Foundation donate EpiPens to Charity, oh that’s right, Clinton’s only take millions in bribes, they don’t hand it out.

    Was it worth it? Yes

  8. Virginia (Louisa,  Virginia) paid $0 and said:

    I personally do not have any life-threatening allergies, but I feel that it could change in an instant. For my personal health maintenance, I do not carry an EpiPen, I use Benadryl liquid gels 25mg per capsule open and put under my tongue (absorbs fast, a little slower than injections)and albuterol emergency inhaler, 2 puffs/5min. This can help prior to emergency responders arrival. Please discuss this option with your Healthcare Provider if it is acceptable for your specific disease process and specific allergies.

    The above information is a drug management protocol specific to me and your Healthcare Provider may revise for your specific health needs.

    The cost of an EpiPen is prohibitive, mostly due to a sudden increase in prescriptions. (BTW, the demand for schools to have an on-hand stock of EpiPens, started in Trevillians Elementary School, 2 girls were at recess and the allergic girl ate a peanut she asked for from another girl). So the manufacturer had to up production, have enough drug, have enough injection apparatus, have enough packaging, and enough personnel to put it all together. For the first year or so, I understand the increased price on the EpiPen. Once the demand subsided to a manageable amount, the price should have come down at least 50%. One other thing many people do not take into consideration about medications, Pharmaceuticals have multiple layers of testing before a drug can go to market. That’s many million dollars in cost, this is why some drugs cost so much while they are sold by brand name only. The Federal Government does have grants available to help reduce the cost for some medications in development.

    Was it worth it? Yes

  9. Kristy (Manassas,  Virginia) paid $350 and said:

    With UnitedHealthCare/MDIPA health insurance.

    Was it worth it? Yes

  10. David Greene (seattle,  Washington) paid $86 and said:

    86 dollars

    Was it worth it? Yes

About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
Copyright © 2022 | Proudly affiliated with the T2 Web Network, LLC
The information contained on this website is intended as an educational aid only and is not intended as medical and/or legal advice.