How Much Do Drugs Cost? | Street Prices & Prescription Costs

Over 131 million Americans use prescription drugs, and over 59.3 million use illicit drugs. 

All types of drug use can be expensive. The specific costs depend on the substance, amount, and whether you get the drug legally (from a pharmacy or healthcare provider) or illegally (from the street).

For example, the cost of prescription drugs depends on a variety of factors, including:

• strength
• amount
• pharmacy
• whether you get brand-name drugs (which tend to be high-cost) or generic drugs (which tend to be low-cost)
• whether you have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid that can lower out-of-pocket costs

The most popular prescription medications and their average costs include:

How Much Do Prescription Opioids Cost?

Prescription opioids treat acute and chronic pain. They include:

Oxycodone

The generic form of prescription oxycodone typically costs between $50 and $150 for 60 tablets. 

Brand-name OxyContin typically costs about $300 for 60 tablets. Oxycodone combined with acetaminophen (commonly prescribed under the brand name Percocet) tends to cost between $20 and $100 for 60 tablets. 

On the street, generic oxycodone, OxyContin, and Percocet usually cost $1 to $2 per milligram. 

Oxymorphone

Prescription oxymorphone typically costs between $100 and $600 for 60 tablets. On the street, it costs between $1 and $3 per milligram.

Hydrocodone

Prescription hydrocodone typically costs between $200 and $500 for 60 tablets. Hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen (commonly prescribed under the brand name Vicodin) typically costs between $20 and $100 for 60 tablets. 

On the street, hydrocodone and Vicodin generally cost $1 to $2 per milligram. 

Tramadol

Prescription tramadol typically costs between $10 and $50 for 60 tablets. On the street, it costs $1 to $2 per milligram.

Fentanyl

Prescription fentanyl comes in multiple forms, including: 

• sublingual tablets (brand name Fentora), which typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000 for 56 tablets
• lozenges (brand name Actiq), which typically cost between $500 and $2,000 for 60 lozenges
• patches (brand name Duragesic), which typically cost between $20 and $200 for 5 patches

The average street price of fentanyl ranges between $25 and $200, depending on the form and amount.

How Much Do Prescription Benzodiazepines Cost?

Benzodiazepines (or “benzos”) treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They include:

Ativan

Prescription Ativan costs about $1,300 for 30 pills. The generic form (lorazepam) costs about $15 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug tends to cost between $1 to $2 per pill.

Klonopin

Prescription Klonopin costs about $85 for 30 pills, while the generic form (clonazepam) costs about $15 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug generally costs about $2 to $3 per pill.

Valium

Prescription Valium costs about $240 for 30 pills. The generic form (diazepam) costs about $10 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug usually costs about $5 to $10 per pill.

Xanax

Prescription Xanax costs about $200 for 30 pills, while the generic form (alprazolam) costs about $15 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug typically costs about $3 to $5 per pill.

How Much Do Prescription Stimulants Cost?

Prescription stimulants treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness). They include:

Adderall

Prescription Adderall costs about $310 for 30 pills. The generic form (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) costs about $20 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug costs between $3 and $15 per pill.

Dexedrine

Prescription Dexedrine typically costs between $20 and $80 for 30 pills. The generic form (dextroamphetamine) costs about $20 for 30 pills. On the street, the drug costs between $3 and $10 per pill. 

Ritalin

Prescription Rtalin costs about $55 for 30 pills. The generic form (methylphenidate) costs between $16 and 30 pills. On the street, the drug costs about $3 to $15 per pill. On the street, the drug costs about $2 to $15 per pill.

Vyvanse

Prescription Vyvanse costs about $400 for 30 pills. The generic form is no longer available. On the street, the drug costs about $3 to $15 per pill. 

How Much Do Illicit Drugs Cost?

Street drug prices depend on factors like strength, purity, and location. The most popular illicit drugs include:

Cocaine

As one of the most expensive drugs, powder cocaine generally costs between $25 and $200 per gram, with an average price of $112 per gram. Crack cocaine generally costs between $18 and $200 per gram, with an average price of $60 per gram. 

Heroin

The cost of heroin typically ranges between $5 and $20 per single-use bag. A single-use bag usually contains about one-tenth of a gram of heroin.

Marijuana

Illicit marijuana generally costs between $7 to $15 per gram. Medical marijuana generally costs between $200 to $400 per ounce and $20 to $60 per gram.

MDMA

The cost of MDMA (also called ecstasy or molly) depends on the form. 

In general, MDMA pills cost between $15 and $15, MDMA capsules cost between $20 and $50, and MDMA powder costs about $150 per gram. An ounce of powder MDMA (about 28 grams) typically costs between $2,000 and $3,000.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (meth) can cost anywhere between $3 and $500 per gram. The average price ranges between $20 and $60 per gram.

Hallucinogens

The most popular hallucinogens include:

• psilocybin mushrooms, which typically cost between $7 and $12 per gram
• LSD, which typically costs between $5 and $20 per dose
• ketamine, which typically costs about $25 per dose 
• PCP, which typically costs between $5 and $15 per dose

Find Addiction Treatment Today

If you or someone you love struggles with drug abuse, please reach out to Ohio Recovery Center. Our personalized inpatient programs offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and a variety of other substance abuse and addiction treatment options.