Xolair (omalizumab) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for certain conditions, including asthma. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Xolair has a savings program.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xolair to treat certain types of:

For more information about Xolair’s uses, including its limitations of use, refer to this article.

As with all medications, the cost of Xolair can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • whether you need to cover the cost of visits to your doctor’s office to receive doses of Xolair*
  • whether Xolair’s manufacturer has a savings program that’s right for you (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Xolair will be for you, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

* After your doctor gives you the first several doses of Xolair, they may recommend you give yourself Xolair injections at home. To learn more about how Xolair is given, see this article.

Insurance considerations

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Xolair.

Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Xolair. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Xolair 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 Xolair requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage. Xolair is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional.* If you have insurance, the price of your Xolair doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Xolair injection doses. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

* After your doctor gives you the first several doses of Xolair, they may recommend you give yourself Xolair injections at home. To learn more about how Xolair is given, see this article.

If you need financial support to pay for Xolair, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Xolair copay assistance

A program called the Xolair Copay Program is available for Xolair copay assistance. If you have private insurance and qualify, this program can help lower your copay cost. (Private insurance refers to a plan you can get through your employer or a healthcare marketplace.) For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 855-965-2472 or visit the program website.

There is no manufacturer coupon available for Xolair. However, other programs are available that may help you save on the cost of the drug. You can refer to the Xolair website to learn about savings options or call 866-422-2377.

Other resources

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:

If you don’t have insurance, the manufacturer of Xolair has other financial resources available. For more information, you can call 866-422-2377 or visit the Xolair website.

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 Xolair.

How much does Xolair cost with insurance compared with the cost without insurance?

The Xolair cost with insurance compared with the cost without insurance depends on several factors, such as:

  • your treatment plan
  • where you receive Xolair injections, such as a doctor’s office or clinic or at home
  • your insurance plan benefits

Typically, the cost of Xolair with insurance is lower than the cost without insurance.

If you have insurance, talk with your plan provider to learn about the cost of Xolair. And if you don’t have insurance, you can talk with your doctor.

What is Xolair’s price per dose? And how much does Xolair treatment cost per year?

Xolair’s price per dose and cost per year depend on whether you’re paying out-of-pocket or have insurance coverage. Typically, your average price per dose may be higher without insurance.

The cost also depends on where you receive doses of Xolair. When you first start treatment, you’ll receive Xolair injections at your doctor’s office or a clinic. They may include a separate fee to give you Xolair injections. This could affect your Xolair price per dose and cost per year.

After the first several doses, your doctor may recommend you inject the doses yourself at home. In this case, the price per dose may be lower if you inject your dose at home.

Other factors can affect Xolair’s price per dose and annual cost. To learn more, see the “Xolair injection cost” section above.

To learn more about Xolair’s price per dose and per year, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

How much do Xolair injections for hives cost?

The cost of Xolair injections for hives depends on whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out-of-pocket for the drug.

If you have insurance, your cost depends on whether you have a set copay and whether your plan has a prior authorization requirement.*

If you don’t have insurance, your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your dosage,† and whether you qualify for any savings programs.‡

For more information about the cost of Xolair injections for hives, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

* To learn more about prior authorization, see “Insurance considerations” in the “Xolair injection cost” section above.
† For details about Xolair’s dosages, see this article.
‡ For more information about savings programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section above.

Xolair contains the active ingredient omalizumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s 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 market 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.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Xolair, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Xolair. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Xolair.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.