Effient can cost over $700 without insurance. Learn how to save with generic Prasugrel, discount cards, coupons, and patient assistance programs in 2026.
If you've been prescribed Effient (Prasugrel) and looked up the price, you probably had a moment of sticker shock. Brand-name Effient can cost $400 to $733 for a single month's supply without insurance. That's a serious financial burden for a medication you need to take every day to protect your heart.
The good news? You almost certainly don't have to pay that much. Between generic Prasugrel, discount cards, patient assistance programs, and other strategies, most patients can bring their out-of-pocket cost down to $19 to $50 per month — or even $0 in some cases.
In this guide, we'll break down every way to save on Effient in 2026.
Let's start with the baseline numbers:
You'll notice that even generic Prasugrel has a high retail cash price. This is common with medications — the "list price" and the actual price you pay can be very different depending on whether you use a discount card or insurance.
The key takeaway: never pay the full retail cash price. There's always a way to pay less.
If you're currently taking brand-name Effient, the simplest way to save money is to switch to generic Prasugrel. Generic medications contain the same active ingredient, in the same dose and form, and are required by the FDA to be bioequivalent to the brand — meaning they work the same way in your body.
Generic Prasugrel is available in both 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. Ask your doctor to write your prescription for "Prasugrel" (generic) instead of "Effient" (brand), or ask your pharmacist if they can automatically substitute the generic. In most states, pharmacists can make this switch unless the prescriber specifically writes "dispense as written."
Prescription discount cards are free to use and can save you a dramatic amount on generic medications. Here are the top options for Prasugrel:
SingleCare offers Prasugrel 10 mg (30 tablets) for as low as $19.59 at participating pharmacies. This is one of the lowest prices available. You can get a free SingleCare card online at singlecare.com.
GoodRx typically offers generic Prasugrel for $20 to $45 for 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy. GoodRx also has a Gold membership ($9.99/month) that can unlock even lower prices on some medications.
Several other services offer competitive pricing on Prasugrel:
Pro tip: Prices vary by pharmacy, even with the same discount card. Always compare a few options before filling. A difference of just a few dollars per month adds up to $50 to $100+ over a year.
If you're uninsured or underinsured and can't afford your medication even with discount cards, patient assistance programs may provide Effient or generic Prasugrel at no cost. These programs are typically income-based.
Daiichi Sankyo, one of the companies behind Effient, offers a patient assistance program for eligible patients. You can find information and application forms at daiichisankyo.us or call their access program directly.
Eli Lilly's Lilly Cares Foundation provides free medications to qualifying patients who are uninsured and meet income guidelines. Visit lillycares.com or call 1-800-545-6962 for more information.
NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) is a nonprofit that maintains a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs, discount drug cards, and other savings resources. Search for "Prasugrel" or "Effient" to find all available programs.
RxAssist (rxassist.org) is another nonprofit resource that helps patients find assistance programs. They maintain a searchable database of programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers and independent organizations.
RxHope (rxhope.com) connects patients with manufacturer-sponsored assistance programs and provides application help.
If you have health insurance, here are ways to make sure you're getting the best deal:
Most insurance plans cover generic Prasugrel as a Tier 2 (preferred generic) medication. This typically means a copay of $10 to $30 per month. Brand-name Effient may be on a higher tier or require prior authorization.
Here's something many people don't realize: sometimes a discount card price is actually cheaper than your insurance copay. If your insurance charges a $40 copay for Prasugrel but GoodRx offers it for $25, you can use the discount card instead. Ask your pharmacist to run both and charge you the lower price.
Some plans require you to try Clopidogrel before covering Prasugrel (called step therapy). If your doctor believes Prasugrel is medically necessary — for example, if you have diabetes or are a CYP2C19 poor metabolizer — they can file an appeal or exception request with your insurance company.
Many insurance plans offer lower copays for 90-day supplies through their mail-order pharmacy. This can save you 20-30% compared to filling monthly at a retail pharmacy.
Costco pharmacies often have lower prices than other retail pharmacies — and you don't need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy. Check their pricing for generic Prasugrel.
Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com) offers transparent, low-cost pricing on generic medications. Check whether they carry Prasugrel — their markup is typically just 15% over cost plus a small pharmacy fee.
Prices for the same medication can vary dramatically between pharmacies — even in the same town. Using tools like GoodRx, SingleCare, or Medfinder to compare prices before filling can save you $20 to $50+ per month.
Whether through insurance or cash pay, 90-day fills are almost always cheaper per tablet than 30-day fills. Ask your doctor to write a 90-day prescription.
Effient (Prasugrel) is an important medication for protecting your heart after a stent procedure, and cost should never be the reason you stop taking it. With generic Prasugrel, discount cards, and patient assistance programs, most patients can bring their monthly cost down to $19 to $50 — and some can get it for free.
Here's your action plan:
For help finding a pharmacy that carries Prasugrel, see our guide: How to find Effient in stock near you. And for a full overview of this medication, check out What is Effient?
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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