How Much Does Compounded Amlexanox Cost? (2026 Price Guide)

Amlexanox is a clear case of compounding filling a gap left by a discontinued product. If your prescriber wrote it for recurrent canker sores or oral lichen planus, a compounding pharmacy is the only legal U.S. source.

Why amlexanox is only available compounded

Aphthasol — amlexanox 5% oral paste — was the only FDA-approved product containing amlexanox, and it was discontinued in the United States. No generic version was ever approved.

The active ingredient is still manufactured as a pharmaceutical-grade API and can be compounded under Section 503A with a valid prescription from a licensed U.S. dentist, oral surgeon, or physician. For patients who relied on Aphthasol, that is the remaining route.

Compounding Finder does not prescribe amlexanox or advise on treatment. FDA notes compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or quality before dispensing — see Compounding and the FDA.

What compounded amlexanox costs

A caveat first: our price-list coverage for amlexanox is thin — only a couple of priced rows across active pharmacies, because it is a low-volume specialty compound. Treat the following as directional and get live quotes for your prescription.

On that limited data and on quotes we have seen returned, a 5-gram tube of 5% oral paste commonly runs in the region of $60 to $150, with quotes around $125 not unusual. Amlexanox API is comparatively expensive and the preparation is specialty-tier, which is why the numbers sit above a routine cream or capsule.

Because so few pharmacies compound it, price variation between them can be large. Comparing several is worth the few minutes, particularly over a multi-month treatment course.

See current listings on the amlexanox comparison page.

Available formulations

Most compounding pharmacies prepare amlexanox as:

• 5% oral paste — matching the original Aphthasol strength, and the most common request.
• 2% mouth rinse — for patients with multiple simultaneous lesions rather than one or two discrete ulcers.
• Custom strengths between 2% and 5%, and combinations with anesthetics such as lidocaine, when specifically prescribed.

Which form suits your ulcer pattern is a question for your prescriber — paste tends to be used for discrete ulcers, rinse for widespread involvement.

What affects the price

Strength and tube size. A 5-gram tube is the standard unit; larger quantities lower cost per gram.

Form. A rinse is a different preparation from a paste and prices differently.

Combination with an anesthetic. Priced as its own preparation.

How many pharmacies can make it. This is the real driver. A low-volume specialty compound with few suppliers has less price competition than a common cream.

Shipping and minimums. On a single small tube, a flat shipping fee is a meaningful share of the total.

Prescription requirements

Amlexanox is prescription-only. A licensed U.S. compounding pharmacy cannot dispense it without a valid prescription from a licensed provider — typically a dentist, oral surgeon, or physician treating recurrent oral ulcers.

Your prescription should state the concentration, the form, the tube size or total quantity, and the directions.

Comparing quotes

Compare compounded amlexanox quotes →

Quotes come back by email, usually within one to two business days. You choose the pharmacy, and pricing is set by the pharmacy directly with you.

Frequently asked questions

Is amlexanox still available in the U.S.? Yes, through compounding pharmacies. The branded Aphthasol 5% oral paste was discontinued commercially, but licensed 503A pharmacies can prepare amlexanox per prescription. There is no FDA-approved generic.

How much does compounded amlexanox cost? A 5-gram tube of 5% paste commonly runs in the region of $60 to $150. Our price coverage for this compound is thin, so get live quotes rather than relying on that range.

Why is it more expensive than an ordinary cream? The API is comparatively costly and the preparation is specialty-tier, made by relatively few pharmacies. Low volume and few suppliers means less price competition.

Do I need a prescription? Yes, from a licensed U.S. healthcare provider.

Compounding Finder is a price-comparison service, not a pharmacy and not a prescriber. We do not dispense medication or advise on treatment. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. Always talk to your prescriber and dispensing pharmacist about whether a compounded preparation is appropriate for you.