Cash prices for oxycodone prescriptions range from about $18–$70 for 90 IR 5-mg tablets to $130–$291 for 60 ER 10-mg tablets, per U.S. pharmacy data.
Sticker shock hits fast when a doctor writes for oxycodone and you are paying cash. The total depends on strength, quantity, release type, and the pharmacy’s contracts. This guide lays out typical ranges, what drives them, and fast ways to trim the bill while staying safe and legal.
What You’re Paying For
Oxycodone comes in two broad forms: immediate-release tablets and extended-release tablets. Many patients also receive a combo tablet that adds acetaminophen. Each route has a different price curve. Brand versions, like OxyContin, sit at the top of the range. Generics, like plain oxycodone 5-mg tablets, sit near the bottom.
Another driver is count. A 30-tablet fill often carries a higher price per pill than a 90-tablet fill. Pharmacies also apply fill fees and network contracts with prescription card processors, which explains why the same drug rings up at different totals across town.
Typical Cash Ranges By Product (Snapshot)
The ranges below come from recent U.S. discount-card quotes and retail averages. Use them as a ballpark only; your total can shift by location and stock.
| Product | Common Fill | Recent Cash Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Oxycodone IR tablets (generic) 5 mg | 90 tablets | $18–$70 |
| Oxycodone IR tablets (generic) 10 mg | 90 tablets | $22–$85 |
| Oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325 (Percocet-type) | 30–90 tablets | $24–$115 |
| Oxycodone ER tablets 10 mg (generic) | 60 tablets | $131–$291 |
| OxyContin 10 mg (brand ER) | 60 tablets | $131–$291+ |
*Ranges reflect national quotes and retail averages posted by price tools and pharmacy networks.
Why One Pharmacy Is Cheaper Than Another
Pharmacies buy from different wholesalers and run on different contracts with coupon processors. Two blocks apart, totals can swing by dozens of dollars. Discount cards can drop the price, but card rates do not stack with insurance and usually do not count toward a deductible. A news review also flagged privacy and acceptance limits with one well-known card; prices can change often and some independents won’t run those claims.
Brand Vs. Generic
Brand ER tablets like OxyContin carry a higher list price. Generic ER oxycodone and plain IR tablets usually post the lowest cash quotes. When the dose and release type fit your plan, ask your prescriber for the generic route to keep the bill down.
Release Type And Dose
IR tablets cover short stretches. ER tablets aim for round-the-clock control, which uses a more complex release design and costs more. Moving from 5 mg to 10 mg raises per-pill price a little, but total daily cost may not change if the schedule uses fewer tablets.
Safety And Legal Basics You Should Know
Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled drug under U.S. law. That status brings tight rules: no refills, ID checks at pick-up, and secure handling. Many states also require e-prescribing and monitor fills through a PDMP database. These rules exist to protect patients from mix-ups and to curb diversion.
Labels and clinical playbooks stress close follow-up, safe storage, and naloxone access when risk is present. Keep the bottle locked, never share, and speak up if side effects or oversedation show up.
What A Typical Month Might Cost
- Short-acting plan: 5 mg IR every 6 hours as needed; 90 tablets. Cash quotes often land between $18 and $70.
- Round-the-clock plan: 10 mg ER twice daily; 60 tablets. Quotes cluster near $130 to $291.
- Combo route: Oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325; 30 to 90 tablets. Quotes span $24 to $115.
Paying Less Without Cutting Corners
Ask For The Lowest-Cost Equivalent
Many plans start with 5-mg IR tablets. If your plan allows, a generic IR fill often beats an ER fill at the register. When long coverage is needed, generic ER can still undercut the brand. Your prescriber controls the choice; bring price data to the visit so the order matches your budget.
Shop Three Pharmacies Before You Fill
Call two chains and one independent with the product, strength, and quantity. Ask for the cash price and the best discount-card price. Pharmacies can quote both. Pick the lowest total and send the script there.
Use One Discount Card Per Fill
Card rates change with ZIP code. Pull up two cards and pick the best screen price. Keep in mind: card claims do not run through your insurer, and that spend usually does not count toward a deductible.
Ask About Split Fills Or Smaller Counts
Some states and plans allow short fills to trial a dose. In cash terms, a 30-tablet fill may let you test tolerability before paying for 90 tablets. Per-pill cost can be higher, but waste drops if the plan changes.
Price Comparison: Cash Paths That Bring Totals Down
Use this grid to plan your next fill. Pick one primary path and one backup.
| Savings Path | What To Do | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Discount card quote | Search by drug, strength; show the code at checkout | Large drops on IR tablets; ER varies by store |
| Store cash club | Ask the pharmacy for its in-house cash rate | Often close to the best card price with fewer hoops |
| Pharmacy switch | Call three stores and move the script to the lowest | Big swings between chains and independents |
| Smaller trial fill | Start with 15–30 tablets if allowed | Less waste if the plan changes |
| Brand ER program | Check the maker’s site for copay help | May lower brand ER, with limits in some states |
Close Variant Keyword Heading: Out-Of-Pocket Cost Of Oxycodone Tablets (What Affects It)
Readers search with different word orders, so let’s spell out the variables that most often change the bill.
Strength And Quantity
Lower strengths often carry lower per-pill rates, but quantity drives the final total. A 90-tablet IR fill often costs less per tablet than a 30-tablet fill.
Release Type
IR fills post the lowest cash quotes. ER fills cost more due to the release system and tighter handling.
Brand Status
Brands list higher. Generics tend to deliver the same clinical result at a lower cash rate when the release type matches.
Pharmacy And ZIP Code
High-rent areas and small markets can post higher prices. A short phone survey often finds a better total nearby.
Regulatory Limits
No refills are allowed for Schedule II scripts. That can mean a new visit for a dose change, which adds cost outside the pill bottle.
Safety Notes That Protect Your Wallet Too
Follow the label and the plan your prescriber sets. ER tablets must be swallowed whole. IR tablets can still slow breathing if paired with sedatives or alcohol. Keep naloxone on hand when risk factors are present. Keep doses consistent with plan.
Sources And Smart Links
For clear pricing snapshots and pharmacy quotes, national tools list cash ranges for plain oxycodone, combo tablets, and long-acting versions. Federal pages explain legal status and label rules. Read the official label PDFs for the product you receive.
- See national price pages for oxycodone IR, oxycodone/acetaminophen, and oxycodone ER.
- Read the DEA’s drug scheduling page for Schedule II rules, and review FDA label PDFs for immediate-release oxycodone and OxyContin.
Quick Checklist Before You Pay
- Confirm the product: IR vs. ER, dose, and quantity.
- Run two discount-card quotes.
- Call two chains and one independent for their cash totals.
- Pick the best total and send the e-prescription there.
- Ask about store cash clubs and short fills.
- Store the bottle securely; add naloxone if risk is present.
Disclaimer: Pricing varies by date and location. This guide is for cost planning and safe use awareness, not medical advice.