If you’re looking at treatment options for certain heart conditions, you may want to learn more about Repatha (evolocumab).

Repatha is a prescription drug that’s used to:

  • 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
  • decrease the need for certain types of heart surgery 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 made from living cells. It belongs to a group of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors.

Repatha comes as a solution that you inject under your skin. It comes in three forms:

  • single-dose prefilled syringe
  • single-dose prefilled autoinjector called SureClick
  • single-dose prefilled cartridge in a device, called Pushtronex, that you wear on your body

Keep reading for details on Repatha and cost, and 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.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Repatha, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

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 cannot be used with government-issued insurance, such as Medicaid or Medicare.

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.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Repatha and cost.

Is the price of Repatha 140-mg injections lower than that of Repatha 420-mg injections?

It depends. Repatha strengths are based on the drug’s delivery system. The 140-milligram (mg) injection comes as a prefilled syringe and SureClick autoinjector. The 420-mg injection comes as a prefilled cartridge for a Pushtronex device.

With some insurance plans, the cost of Repatha may vary depending on the delivery system prescribed. But your doctor will likely prescribe your dosage of this medication based on the condition you’re using the drug to treat. So it might not be possible to change your dosage based on cost.

If you have questions about the cost of the Repatha delivery system you’re prescribed, talk with 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 may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • 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 only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available as a biosimilar. A biosimilar is similar to a brand-name biologic but is not an exact copy. Biologics such as Repatha are made from living cells, so scientists cannot make exact copies of them.

Biosimilars are considered as safe and effective as brand-name drugs and often cost less.

Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug manufacturers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you need help covering the cost of Repatha or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

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.

For other suggestions on how to pay for your prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Repatha, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Repatha.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Are there lower-cost alternatives to Repatha for decreasing my cholesterol?
  • Will my cost change if I use three 140-mg prefilled syringes instead of one 420-mg Pushtronex cartridge?
  • 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.