Abilify (aripiprazole) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia. The cost of Abilify with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether the drug has a savings program.
Abilify belongs to a drug class called atypical antipsychotics. It’s available in a generic version.
Other forms of this drug are available, marketed under different brand names:
- Abilify Maintena, an extended-release* suspension for intramuscular injection that you receive once per month
- Abilify Asimtufii, an extended-release* suspension for intramuscular injection that you receive once every 2 months
- Abilify MyCite, an oral tablet containing a sensor
They all contain aripiprazole, the same active ingredient as in Abilify.
Read on to learn about Abilify and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Abilify, refer to this article.
* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released in the body
As with all medications, the cost of Abilify can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- the brand-name version of Abilify your doctor prescribes
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the cost of the visit to your doctor or another healthcare professional to receive doses of Abilify Maintena or Abilify Asimtufii if your doctor prescribes one of these forms
- whether Abilify has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Abilify will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Cost of Abilify vs. that of Abilify Maintena, Abilify MyCite, and Abilify Asimtufii
Abilify is available in different brand-name versions, forms, and strengths. Your cost may depend on which brand and dosage your doctor prescribes.
For example, your cost may be higher for Abilify Maintena compared with Abilify oral tablets. This is because Abilify Maintena is an intramuscular injection that a healthcare professional gives you. In addition to the cost of the drug, there may be a separate injection cost for getting the shot at a doctor’s office.
Like Abilify Maintena, Abilify Asimtufii is also an intramuscular injection that you get at a doctor’s office. However, you only receive an Abilify Asimtufii shot every 2 months, so you may pay for fewer visits to a healthcare professional.
If you have insurance, the cost of Abilify tablets may depend on whether you have a copay. It also depends on whether your insurance company requires you to pay part of the cost for a brand-name drug.
The cost of Abilify MyCite tablets may be higher than that of Abilify tablets. This is because Abilify MyCite has a special sensor on the tablets. They also come with MyCite patch strips that you’ll place on yourself according to your doctor’s instructions. To take this tablet, you’ll also need to download and use the Abilify MyCite app. The app keeps track of when you swallow the tablet through the patch. This helps you and your doctor know you’re following your treatment plan.
If you have questions about the cost of Abilify and its different versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have insurance, your insurance provider can answer specific questions about coverage and costs.
Insurance considerations
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and your doctor prescribes treatment with Abilify.
Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the different brands of Abilify. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Abilify in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization, but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether the Abilify brand your doctor prescribed for you requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage. Your doctor or another healthcare professional administers Abilify Maintena and Abilify Asimtufii. If you have insurance, the price of your Abilify Maintena or Abilify Asimtufii doses may be billed through your primary health insurance instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance. This depends on your insurance coverage and where you receive your injections, such as at your doctor’s office or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Abilify Maintena and Abilify MyCite, and Abilify Asimtufii are only available as brand-name drugs. They are not available in generic versions. The tablet form of Abilify is available as the generic drug aripiprazole.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. It’s considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Also, generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Abilify and you’re interested in using aripiprazole instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. If you have insurance, you’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of aripiprazole compares with the cost of Abilify, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?
Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Abilify.
How much does Abilify cost without insurance?
The cost of Abilify without insurance can vary. It depends on the Abilify brand your doctor prescribes and your treatment plan. It also depends on whether you’re eligible for a patient assistance cost savings program. (See the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below for more information.)
Generally, Abilify’s cost without insurance will be higher than the cost with insurance. However, if you have insurance, the cost depends on the Abilify brand your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan coverage, and out-of-pocket costs. Your insurance provider can give you details on the exact cost of Abilify.
If you don’t have insurance and want to know how much Abilify will cost, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What’s the price of the Abilify Maintena 400-mg injection?
The price of the Abilify Maintena 400-milligram (mg) injection depends on whether you have insurance and your type of insurance plan.
Your costs may also vary depending on where you receive your injection. For example, some insurance providers have a copay for the medication and a copay for getting the injection at your doctor’s office. (To learn more, see “Insurance considerations” in the “Abilify price” section above.)
You may also have separate out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, that you’ll need to meet. This can change the price of the Abilify Maintena injection.
If you have insurance, talk with your plan provider to learn about the cost of the Abilify Maintena 400-mg injection.
If you don’t have insurance, your cost depends on several factors. For more information, see the “Abilify price” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take Abilify long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Abilify, depending on the brand of Abilify your doctor prescribes. Not all forms of Abilify are available for long-term use through a pharmacy. If Abilify is approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Abilify may be available through a mail-order pharmacy in some cases. This depends on the form of Abilify your doctor prescribes. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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.
If you need financial support to pay for Abilify, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A savings card for Abilify tablets is available. To learn more or to check if you’re eligible, visit the program’s website. You can also text “FIVE” to 37500.
- A program called the Abilify Maintena Savings Program is available for Abilify Maintena. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.
- Otsuka America Pharmaceutical has patient assistance resources if you qualify for Abilify Maintena, Abilify Asimtufii, and Abilify MyCite. To learn more, call 855-727-6274 or visit the Otsuka Patient Support website.
- If your doctor prescribes Abilify MyCite, the drug is only available through a specialty pharmacy. Your pharmacist will help you navigate any issues regarding your prescription. For example, they’ll work with your insurance company to explore options if the drug isn’t covered.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Abilify, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Abilify. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Abilify.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Abilify, refer to this article.
- Side effects. For information about Abilify’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the prescribing information for Abilify, Abilify Maintena, or Abilify Mycite.
- Interactions. Learn about the interactions of Abilify by reading this article.
- Information about your condition. To learn more about some of the conditions that Abilify treats, see our:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.