Eliquis (apixaban) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for preventing or treating certain blood clots in adults. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Eliquis has a savings program.
Eliquis belongs to the drug class called anticoagulants (blood thinners). Currently, Eliquis may not be available in a generic version.*
Read on to learn how to get Eliquis cost assistance and save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Eliquis, refer to this article.
* A generic version of Eliquis, apixaban, has been approved by the FDA. However, it may not be available for use yet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if generic apixaban is available for you. For additional information, see the “Brand-name vs. generic drugs” section below.
As with all medications, the Eliquis retail price can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Eliquis has a savings program*
- your treatment plan, including your Eliquis dosage† and how long you’ll need to take the drug
To find out what the cost of Eliquis will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
* To learn more about savings programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.
† For information on Eliquis’ dosage, see this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Eliquis.
Are the prices of 2.5-mg and 5-mg Eliquis tablets the same?
Yes, the price of 2.5-milligram (mg) and 5-mg Eliquis tablets is the same. The cost difference may depend on what pharmacy you use or the number of tablets you need.
The cost of Eliquis is higher in the United States than in other countries. If you’re in a country other than the U.S., be sure to talk with your doctor or insurance provider about where you can buy Eliquis. There are likely regulations about where you can purchase Eliquis.
How can I determine the cost of Eliquis with and without insurance?
If you already have a prescription for Eliquis, talk with your pharmacist to determine the cost of Eliquis with and without insurance. They can tell you the cost of Eliquis if you use or do not use insurance.
You should also talk with your insurance provider to find the exact cost of Eliquis for your plan. They can also tell you if it would be cheaper at a specific pharmacy.
Does Eliquis cost more than other blood thinners?
Yes, Eliquis usually costs more than other blood thinners. (Eliquis is a type of blood thinner.) This is because certain other blood thinners have generic versions that are typically less expensive.
Also, other blood thinners have been on the market longer. So, their manufacturers have had time to recover the cost of researching their safety and effectiveness. As a result, their cost may be lower than a newer drug such as Eliquis.
If you’d like to take a less expensive blood thinner, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise whether any others are right for you.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic version of Eliquis called apixaban. A generic drug is considered as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
However, the generic drug apixaban may not be available yet. Although the FDA has approved a generic version, the manufacturer of Eliquis has exclusive rights to make and sell apixaban as brand-name Eliquis. After these rights expire, apixaban will be available as an alternative to the brand-name drug.
If your doctor prescribes Eliquis for you and you’re interested in using apixaban instead, talk with your doctor to find out when apixaban may become available. When generic apixaban becomes available, your doctor may have a preference for one version or the other. 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 this generic drug compares with the cost of Eliquis, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Keep in mind that there may not be cost information for generic apixaban. This is because this form of the drug may not be available yet.
Why are prices 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.
You may take Eliquis long term depending on your condition. If you take Eliquis long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following way.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Eliquis. If 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.
If you need financial support to pay for Eliquis, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- The manufacturer offers cost assistance through a co-pay card and a free trial offer card for Eliquis. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-354-7847 or visit the program website.
- 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, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Eliquis, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Eliquis. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Eliquis.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about the price of Eliquis with Medicare and how to get help with the cost, see this article. For information about Medicare coverage for other drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Eliquis, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Eliquis and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about the side effects of Eliquis, see this article. You can also look at the Eliquis prescribing information.
- Interactions. To find out whether any medications you take may interact with Eliquis, refer to this article.
- Information about blood clots. For more information about blood clots, see our list of blood and hematology articles.
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.