See the DrugPatentWatch profile for ibuprofen
What’s the typical cost per dose for generic ibuprofen?
Generic ibuprofen is widely available and usually priced as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, so “per dose” cost depends mainly on the tablet strength (for example, 200 mg vs 400 mg) and how a store prices it.
How much is a single dose (common strengths)?
In practice, pharmacies and retailers often price generic ibuprofen per tablet/bottle in a way that translates to roughly:
- $0.01–$0.10 per 200 mg tablet (typical range)
- $0.03–$0.20 per 400 mg tablet (typical range)
Exact pricing can vary a lot by brand/store, quantity (10, 20, 50, 100 count), and whether you buy OTC in a pharmacy versus a discount retailer.
What factors change the price the most?
The biggest drivers are:
- Tablet strength (most OTC pricing is set by product line and count, not by “dose”)
- Bottle size/count (100-count generally lowers per-tablet cost)
- Store and location pricing
- Tablet form (standard tablet vs gel cap, if applicable)
Can I estimate cost per dose from a bottle price?
Yes. If you know the bottle price and tablet count:
- Cost per dose = (total bottle price) ÷ (number of tablets)
Then match tablets to your intended dose (e.g., 200 mg is one tablet if your regimen uses 200 mg).
If you tell me strength + quantity, I can compute it
If you share:
1) the ibuprofen strength (200 mg or 400 mg, etc.), and
2) the number of tablets in the package and the shelf price (or where you’re buying it),
I can calculate the exact cost per dose for that specific product.