Misoprostol costs as little as $7 for a small quantity at retail pharmacies, but the total you pay depends on why you need it, how many tablets are required, and whether you’re getting it through a clinic, telehealth service, or pharmacy. For medication abortion specifically, the combined cost of the visit and medications typically runs between $150 and $800.
Retail Pharmacy Prices Without Insurance
At U.S. retail pharmacies, generic misoprostol 200 mcg tablets start around $7 for a pack of four. A larger supply of 60 tablets at the 100 mcg strength starts around $32. These are cash prices without insurance or discount coupons, so the amount you pay at your local pharmacy could be higher or lower depending on the chain and your location. Brand-name Cytotec, the original version made by Pfizer, is rarely stocked anymore and costs significantly more when available.
For context, the international wholesale price through the United Nations is under $1 per tablet. The markup in U.S. retail pharmacies reflects distribution costs, pharmacy fees, and the lack of price regulation on generic drugs in the American market.
Cost for Medication Abortion
Most people searching for misoprostol pricing are looking into medication abortion, which uses misoprostol alongside a second drug. At a clinic, you’re not just paying for the pills. The total includes the consultation, lab work or ultrasound, the medications themselves, and a follow-up visit. The average cost at Planned Parenthood is around $580, and at other clinics it can reach $800 or more depending on your state and gestational age.
Telehealth services offer a substantially cheaper route. Aid Access, one of the most widely used telehealth abortion providers, charges $150 for medications sent by mail. That fee covers the consultation and both medications. For patients who can’t afford the full price, Aid Access offers a sliding scale, and the average adjusted price paid by those who request it is about $68. Research from the University of Washington found that roughly 23 percent of Aid Access patients in California were unable to pay the full $150, which suggests cost remains a real barrier even at lower price points.
Cost for Ulcer Prevention
Misoprostol is also prescribed to prevent stomach ulcers in people who take NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen long-term. The standard dose for this use is 200 mcg four times daily, meaning you’d go through about 120 tablets per month. At retail cash prices, a 60-tablet supply of the 100 mcg strength starts around $32, so a full month of treatment could run $60 to $100 or more without insurance. This ongoing cost adds up quickly, making insurance coverage or discount programs especially important for long-term use.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Generic misoprostol is on most insurance formularies, including the VA system, where it sits on the second copay tier. With commercial insurance, your copay will depend on your plan’s tier structure, but generic drugs on a second tier typically cost between $10 and $40 per fill. Medicaid covers misoprostol in most states, often with no copay or a nominal one.
Coverage for medication abortion is more complicated. Some private insurance plans cover it, but many don’t, and state-level restrictions increasingly affect what insurers will pay for. If your plan doesn’t cover abortion-related care, you’ll pay the full clinic or telehealth price out of pocket even if the same medication would be covered for ulcer prevention.
Ways to Lower Your Cost
Pharmacy discount programs like GoodRx and RxSaver can reduce the cash price at retail pharmacies, sometimes significantly. These are free to use and work even without insurance. If you’re prescribed the brand-name version, Pfizer’s patient assistance program (Pfizer RxPathways) provides eligible patients with medications for free or at reduced cost, and you can reach them at 1-844-989-7284.
For medication abortion specifically, abortion funds operate in most states and can help cover both the cost of medications and related expenses like travel. Planned Parenthood health centers also offer financial assistance based on income and household size. The fastest way to find out what you qualify for is to contact your nearest clinic directly or search the National Abortion Federation’s hotline for fund referrals in your area.
Community health centers that participate in the federal 340B drug pricing program purchase medications at steep discounts below retail and can pass those savings along to uninsured or underinsured patients. If you receive care at a federally qualified health center, ask whether 340B pricing applies to your prescription.