How much does hydrocortisone cream cost at retail?
Hydrocortisone cream prices vary mainly by strength (typically 0.5% vs 1%), brand vs generic, and pack size. The lowest-cost options are usually store-brand or generic hydrocortisone creams for common strengths.
Because you didn’t specify strength or brand, the most accurate way to pin down a price is to check:
- Your hydrocortisone concentration (most often 1% OTC)
- The tube size (commonly 1–2 oz, depending on the product)
What strength and size change the price the most?
Retail price differences usually track:
- Concentration: 0.5% and 1% products are often priced differently
- Tube size: larger tubes cost more but can lower the per-gram cost
- Formulation/brand: some labeled variants cost more than the standard “hydrocortisone 1% cream”
Is it cheaper as a generic?
In most cases, yes. Generic hydrocortisone cream typically costs less than branded versions for the same strength and comparable tube size.
Prescription vs OTC—does that matter?
For common hydrocortisone creams, most people buy it OTC, which usually keeps costs lower than prescription-only steroid creams. Prescription coverage can change the out-of-pocket cost depending on insurance and copay.
Are there any patent/drug-insurer price drivers?
Hydrocortisone cream is generally widely available and not a specialty patent-priced product like newer branded biologics or oral drugs. So large swings driven by patent exclusivity are usually not the main factor for hydrocortisone cream pricing. (If you meant a different product—like a branded dermatology steroid cream—share the exact name and strength.)
Quick way to get a precise number
Reply with the exact product you mean (strength and size), for example:
- “Hydrocortisone 1% cream, 1 oz tube”
- “Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream, 2 oz”
and your location or pharmacy (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Amazon). I can then narrow to a realistic price range for that specific version.