Repatha and Cost: What You Need to Know
If you are looking at treatment options for certain heart conditions, you may want to learn more about Repatha.
Repatha is a prescription drug.
- lower levels of certain kinds of cholesterol in adults and some children who have specific conditions
- lower the risk of stroke or heart attack in adults with heart disease
- There are certain types of heart surgery that need to be avoided in adults with heart disease.
The active ingredient in Repatha is evolocumab. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Evolocumab is a biologic, which means it’s
Repatha is a solution that you inject. It comes in three different forms.
- A single dose of prefilled syringe.
- The autoinjector is called SureClick.
- Pushtronex is a device that you wear on your body.
You can read about how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on Repatha, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Repatha can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. Your cost may also vary based on the form of Repatha you use.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider to find out how much Repatha will cost.
Repatha’s manufacturer offers copay assistance through its Repatha copay card, which may help reduce your monthly out-of-pocket cost for the medication. If you have insurance benefits through an employer or insurance that you pay for yourself, you may be eligible for this assistance.
“The copay card can’t be used with government-issued insurance.”
People who don’t have insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover Repatha may be able to get the medication at no cost. For information, see the Amgen Safety Net Foundation website.
There are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Is the price of Repatha 140-mg injections lower than that of Repatha 420-mg injections?
“It depends. The drug’s delivery system is used to calculate Repatha strengths. The 140-milligram injection is prefilled and comes with a SureClick autoinjector. The Pushtronex device comes with a prefilled injection.”
The cost of Repatha may be different depending on the delivery system prescribed. Your doctor will likely prescribe your medication based on the condition you are treating. It might not be possible to change your dose based on cost.
If you have questions about the Repatha delivery system, you should talk to your doctor.
Does the manufacturer of Repatha have a coupon or other ways to save for people without insurance?
No, the Repatha manufacturer does not currently offer a Repatha coupon for people without insurance. But you may be able to receive help paying for Repatha through the Amgen Safety Net Foundation. This is a program that Repatha’s manufacturer offers to help eligible people pay for Repatha and other medications.
If you take Repatha long term, you can lower your costs.
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Repatha if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce the number of trips you take to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Repatha. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Repatha. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
Repatha is a brand-name drug. It is not currently available as a substitute. A brand-name biologic is not an exact copy of a biosimilar. Scientists cannot make exact copies of Repatha because it is made from living cells.
Brand-name drugs are considered to be as safe and effective as bio-similars.
Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?
“Years of research and testing are needed to make sure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. The drugs can be expensive if they are tested. The manufacturer of a drug can sell it for 20 years. Generic versions can be created by other drug manufacturers. The market can lead to lower prices for generics. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, so they don’t need to be studied again. This can lead to lower costs.”
If you need help understanding your insurance, check out these websites.
You can find information on insurance, drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards on these sites.
Repatha’s manufacturer offers copay assistance through its Repatha copay card. For more information, see the “Does Repatha have a copay card?” section above. You can also find out about other financial assistance options for Repatha by visiting this website or calling 844-737-2842.
If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover Repatha, you may be able to get the medication at no cost. See the Amgen Safety Net Foundation website for details.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to pay for your prescription.
If you still have questions about the cost of Repatha, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you will pay. If you have health insurance, you need to talk to your insurer to find out the actual cost for Repatha.
You can ask your doctor or insurance provider questions.
- Is there a cheaper way to decrease my cholesterol?
- Will my cost go up if I use three 140-mg prefilled syringes instead of one Pushtronex?
- “What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?”
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.