Apriso can cost over $500/month without insurance. Learn how to save with generic Mesalamine ER, coupon cards, and patient assistance programs.
If you've looked at the price tag on Apriso and felt your stomach drop, you're not alone. Brand-name Apriso can cost $500 to $700 per month without insurance — that's $6,000 to $8,400 a year just for one medication. For a drug you need to take every single day to keep ulcerative colitis in remission, that price is a serious barrier.
But here's what your pharmacy might not tell you: there are multiple ways to bring that cost down dramatically. Some patients pay as little as $42 per month. In this guide, we'll walk through every money-saving option available for Apriso and Mesalamine ER in 2026.
Let's start with the numbers. Apriso is prescribed as four 0.375 g capsules taken once daily, which means a 30-day supply is 120 capsules. Here's what that costs:
The key insight: the retail price of the generic is barely cheaper than the brand. But with a free coupon card, the generic price drops by over 90%. That's where the real savings are.
If you're still paying for brand-name Apriso, the single biggest thing you can do is switch to generic Mesalamine ER. It's the same medication — same active ingredient (Mesalamine 0.375 g), same extended-release formulation, same once-daily dosing.
Ask your doctor to write your prescription for "Mesalamine ER" instead of "Apriso," or simply ask your pharmacist if they can substitute the generic. In most states, pharmacists can automatically substitute the generic unless your doctor has written "brand name only" on the prescription.
Even without a coupon, the generic is available at most pharmacies. But you definitely want to combine the generic with a coupon card for maximum savings.
Prescription coupon cards are free to use and can reduce the price of generic Mesalamine ER dramatically. Here are the best options:
SingleCare consistently offers some of the lowest prices for generic Mesalamine ER:
GoodRx is another widely used option:
Several other services offer competitive pricing:
Important tip: Prices vary between pharmacies even with the same coupon. Check two or three locations before filling to find the best deal. Costco and independent pharmacies often have the lowest prices.
If you need or prefer brand-name Apriso, Salix Pharmaceuticals (the manufacturer) offers a savings card:
To get the savings card, visit the Apriso website or ask your doctor's office for a card. Your pharmacy processes it as a coordination of benefits (COB) claim alongside your regular insurance.
Note: This card may have periodic availability changes. Check the manufacturer's website for the most current offer.
If you're uninsured, underinsured, or can't afford your medication even with the options above, patient assistance programs (PAPs) may provide Apriso for free or at very low cost.
Bausch Health (the parent company of Salix Pharmaceuticals) offers a PAP for eligible patients. Requirements typically include:
Apply through your doctor's office or directly through Bausch Health's website.
Several organizations can help you navigate assistance programs:
Many states offer their own prescription assistance programs, especially for seniors and low-income residents. Check with your state's Department of Health or visit Medicare.gov for a list of State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs).
Many insurance plans offer mail-order pharmacy options with 90-day supplies at a lower cost than three separate monthly fills. This works especially well for maintenance medications like Mesalamine ER. Check with your insurance plan about:
Even at a retail pharmacy, filling a 90-day supply is often cheaper per-capsule than a 30-day supply. Ask your doctor to write for 360 capsules (90-day supply) and compare pricing with your coupon card.
Pharmacy prices vary more than most people realize. For the same medication with the same coupon, you might see a $20–$30 difference between chains. Generally:
If you receive care at a federally qualified health center, community health center, or qualifying hospital, you may have access to 340B pricing, which offers significant discounts on prescription medications.
Here's a summary of what you might pay per month for 120 capsules of Mesalamine 0.375 g:
No one should have to choose between their health and their budget. With generic Mesalamine ER and a free coupon card, most patients can bring their monthly cost down to under $55 — a far cry from the $500+ retail price.
Start by asking your doctor about the generic. Then grab a free coupon from SingleCare or GoodRx. If you're uninsured or still struggling with cost, explore patient assistance programs — there's no shame in using resources that exist specifically to help.
Need help finding Apriso or Mesalamine ER in stock? Use Medfinder to check pharmacy availability near you. And for more information about the medication itself, check out our guides:
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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