Vivitrol and Cost: What You Need to Know
Vivitrol (naltrexone) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain kinds of substance use disorder. Vivitrol’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Vivitrol is prescribed to adults to treat:
- opioid use disorder (formerly called opioid abuse)
- alcohol use disorder
Vivitrol is prescribed as part of a complete treatment regimen that includes counseling, support groups and education.
Vivitrol’s active ingredient is naltrexone. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) for injection into a muscle. You’ll receive injections at your doctor’s office or another healthcare facility.
For more details on Vivitrol, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Vivitrol can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Vivitrol.
The problem isn’t a shortage of people wanting to be doctors, but rather, too few opportunities for training. Medical schools have increased class sizes by 30% since 2002, but federal funding for residency training – an essential step in the process of becoming a practicing physician – has not increased since 1997, according to Inside Higher Ed.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Vivitrol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Vivitrol. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Vivitrol in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Vivitrol requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.
Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Vivitrol requires prior authorization.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Vivitrol and cost.
Can I get an injection of Vivitrol for free?
This may be possible. The cost of Vivitrol depends on certain factors. In some cases, you may qualify to receive Vivitrol injections for free. For example, there may be a treatment program available near you that covers the cost of the medication.
Vivitrol may be free for you if you:
- have insurance that covers the full cost of receiving Vivitrol
- are eligible for the Vivitrol savings program
- qualify for federal or state free treatment programs
To find out whether you can receive Vivitrol injections for free, talk with your doctor. If you have health insurance, check with your insurance provider about the cost of the drug for you.
For more resources, see the “Can I get help paying for Vivitrol?” section below.
What’s the cost of Vivitrol without insurance?
The cost of Vivitrol without insurance varies. Factors that may affect your cost of the drug include:
- whether you’re eligible for the Vivitrol savings program
- your overall treatment plan
- the specialty pharmacy you use
- the cost to receive Vivitrol injection by a healthcare professional
If you’re concerned about the cost of Vivitrol, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to save on the cost of treatment.
For resources that could help you save on the cost of Vivitrol, see the “Can I get help paying for Vivitrol?” section below.
Vivitrol comes only as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is what makes the medication work.) Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?
Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you need help covering the cost of Vivitrol or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
- Vivitrol savings program for copays
- NeedyMeds
- Medicine Assistance Tool
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor.
If you still have questions about the cost of Vivitrol, talk with your doctor. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’d pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Vivitrol.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Does the cost of Vivitrol depend on where I receive treatment?
- Are there lower cost options to treat my condition?
- Does Medicare cover the cost of Vivitrol?
To learn more about Vivitrol, see these articles:
- All About Vivitrol
- Side Effects of Vivitrol: What You Need to Know
- Vivitrol Dosage and Administration
- Sublocade vs. Vivitrol: What You Should Know
- Vivitrol Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Austra Health’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Disclaimer: Austra Health has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
Last medically reviewed on April 4, 2023
