Repatha is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to:
- Lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). This includes adults with a condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
- For lowering LDL cholesterol in adults, Repatha may be used with other LDL-lowering drugs or on its own. It’s meant to be used in combination with a balanced diet.
- Lower LDL cholesterol levels in children ages 10 to 17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).7/25/
- For this use, Repatha is meant to be used along with a balanced diet. It can also be used with other treatments for lowering LDL cholesterol, such as other medications or apheresis (the removal of excess cholesterol from your blood).
- Lower the risk for heart attack or stroke and reduce the need for certain heart surgeries in adults with heart disease.
- Treat high cholesterol due to a genetic condition called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in adults and children ages 13 to 17 years.
- For this use, doctors prescribe Repatha along with other treatments for lowering LDL cholesterol, such as other medications or apheresis.
The active ingredient in Repatha is evolocumab, which belongs to a class of drugs called a PCSK9 inhibitor.
For more information about Repatha’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Repatha, which is a biologic:
- How it’s given: subcutaneous injection that comes as a:
- Single-dose prefilled syringe
- Single-dose prefilled SureClick autoinjector
- Single-dose prefilled cartridge for use with the Pushtronex on-body infusor
- Biosimilar version: not available
Read on to learn about Repatha injection costs and how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Repatha can vary. Factors that may affect the Repatha injection price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Repatha has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Repatha will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Repatha. This means the company and your doctor will discuss your treatment with Repatha. 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 Repatha requires prior authorization.
If you need financial support to pay for Repatha, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Repatha copay card
There is a copay card (manufacturer coupon) available for Repatha. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible, visit the manufacturer’s website.
There’s also a program from Repatha’s manufacturer called the Amgen Safety Net Foundation, which supports people without prescription drug coverage or who cannot afford their medication. To learn more, visit the program’s website or call 800-932-3060.
Other assistance
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.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Repatha.
What’s the cost of Repatha on Medicare?
According to the drug’s manufacturer, 72% of people who are prescribed Repatha and are on Medicare pay less than $50 per month for their prescription.
However, the cost of Repatha on Medicare will vary depending on your specific Medicare plan, including whether your plan includes prescription drug coverage.
If you’d like to learn more about the cost of Repatha on Medicare, including specifics about your Medicare plan, talk with your pharmacist or call your insurance provider.
How much does Repatha cost without insurance?
How much Repatha costs without insurance can vary depending on a few factors, including your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
According to the drug’s manufacturer, Repatha’s list price is about $519.82 per month. However, this isn’t always what Repatha will cost without insurance.
Talk with your pharmacist to learn more about the cost you may pay for Repatha without insurance.
What is Repatha’s cost per dose?
It’s hard to say because Repatha’s cost per dose depends on several factors. Your treatment plan, the form of Repatha you use, and your insurance coverage can all influence Repatha’s cost per dose.
If your doctor prescribes Repatha for you and you want to know your cost per dose, talk with your pharmacist. If you have insurance coverage, you can also call your insurance provider.
How much does the Repatha 140-mg SureClick autoinjector cost?
Costs for the Repatha 140-milligram (mg) SureClick autoinjector vary from person to person, depending on factors such as the form of Repatha you use and your insurance coverage.
Your pharmacist can tell you more about the price you’ll pay for the Repatha 140-mg SureClick autoinjector.
Repatha contains the active drug evolocumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It does not come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar drug is similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.
Why are costs different for biologic drugs vs. biosimilar drugs?Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to
12 years . When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Repatha 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 Repatha. 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.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Repatha may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. 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.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Repatha, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Repatha. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Repatha.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs such as Repatha, 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 Repatha, refer to this article.
- Information about high cholesterol. For more information about high cholesterol, stroke, and heart health, see our cardiovascular health hub. You can also see our lists of:
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.