5 Brilinta savings tips

In this article:

• How much does Brilinta cost?
• Can I get Brilinta for free?
• How to save
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• How much does Brilinta cost?
• Can I get Brilinta for free?
• How to save
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet medication often prescribed for people who have Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), coronary artery disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke. Clinical trials have shown that it’s highly effective in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. However, Brilinta’s out-of-pocket costs can appear insurmountable, especially for individuals without insurance coverage. The good news is that there are some other ways to save, and we’ve outlined them here.

How much does Brilinta cost?

Let’s imagine for a moment that insurance coverage, coupons, and other savings don’t exist. How much should you expect to pay out of pocket for Brilinta? For cash-paying patients, the average retail price is $627 for 60, 90mg tablets. The average dosage is 90mg, taken twice a day, so the price breaks down to around $21 per day, which could add up to over $7,500 for an entire year.

Of course, not everyone pays that price. Many people can receive coverage from their health insurance or Medicare Part D plans. These plans often cover Brilinta, although some may prefer generic ticagrelor instead, which is typically much cheaper and bioequivalent to the name-brand Brilinta. Medicaid will also often cover Brilinta or generic ticagrelor, but only for people who meet their state’s income requirements.

Dr. Edmond Hakimi, DO, medical director at Wellbridge, says you should “ensure that your insurance formulary covers the drug or one that is comparable and ask if prior authorization or step therapy is required.” Prior authorization is a process by which the insurance company confirms that a drug is medically necessary, which may require your healthcare provider to submit additional documentation. Step therapy means you need to try other antiplatelet medications and fail this method before changing to Brilinta.

Can I get Brilinta for free?

There are a couple of ways to get Brilinta for free. However, some of them only provide a limited amount, so they aren’t all long-term solutions.

1. Sample packs: Some healthcare providers offer sample packs of specific medications, allowing patients to try them at no cost. It’s usually only a few doses, though.
2. Free trial for Medicare/Medicaid patients: AstraZeneca (Brilinta’s manufacturer) advertises a program that will provide eligible Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries with one month of Brilinta for free. After that, you’ll need to use Medicare insurance coverage and/or pay out of pocket.
3. AZ&Me: This is AstraZeneca’s patient assistance program, which provides Brilinta and other AstraZeneca products at no cost for eligible patients. But to qualify, you can’t have any commercial insurance coverage, or coverage from any government-funded programs—other than Medicare. Additionally, you can’t receive medication payment assistance from any other sources, and your annual income must be at or below 300–500% of the federal poverty level.

How to save money on Brilinta

Not everyone has insurance, and not everyone qualifies for free medications, either. Treatment adherence is crucial. “Because missed doses in antiplatelet therapy can have serious consequences such as clotting, stroke, and cardiovascular issues, I recommend that you engage your physician, cardiologist, and pharmacy about cost before starting or continuing the drug,” Dr. Hakimi says. “If the out-of-pocket cost is very high, don’t skip the drug, but work the system to make it affordable for you.”

Here are a few of the most effective ways to save:

1. Free Brilinta coupons

Go to a grocery store, and you can get coupons for plenty of different food products. Visit SingleCare to find coupons for thousands of prescription drugs, including Brilinta. All you have to do is sign up for free, then bring your coupon card to any participating pharmacy. You could pay as little as $31 for 60, 90mg tablets at CVS, which is hundreds less than the $627 average monthly retail price.

The discounted prices will vary depending on the quantity, strength, form, and pharmacy. Use SingleCare’s drug lookup tool to find the location with the lowest prices near you.

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2. Brilinta savings card

“Some key strategies for saving that I recommend are using the manufacturer’s savings card or coupon to reduce out-of-pocket costs,” Dr. Hakimi says. “But keep in mind that the Brilinta card has terms and eligibility rules.” To obtain the card, you must be at least 18 years of age, reside in the U.S., have a valid prescription for Brilinta, and have commercial insurance that covers only part of the medication’s cost. On top of that, you can’t be enrolled in any government-funded assistance, like Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA benefits.

If you qualify, AstraZeneca says you might pay as little as $5 per month. But there’s a savings limit of $200 per 30-day supply, so if your out-of-pocket costs are much higher than that, you still might have a significant copay. It all depends on how much your insurance covers.

3. Government assistance

We’ve already mentioned Medicaid, but it’s worth noting that you can qualify for it even if you don’t have Medicare or other insurance—you just need to meet your state’s income requirements. Medicaid copays vary by state, but federal law dictates that they can’t exceed $4 for preferred drugs and $8 for non-preferred drugs.

Medicare beneficiaries who need assistance might qualify for the Extra Help program, which caps copays at $4.90 for generic drugs and $12.15 for brand-name ones. To qualify, your annual income must be $23,475 or lower for individuals and $31,725 or lower for married couples.

4. 90-day prescriptions

Just like groceries and household items, buying medications in bulk can potentially save you money. Some healthcare providers will approve 90-day prescriptions for certain medications, which could result in lower costs, according to a study from Family Practice Management. It also means fewer trips to the pharmacy for refills, saving time and gas.

5. Nonprofit programs

Some third-party prescription assistance organizations aren’t affiliated with insurance companies, government entities, or pharmaceutical companies. For example, the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief and the PAN Foundation both offer funds and grants to individuals with specific conditions. Or, you can search for other savings programs on a site like NeedyMeds.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Brilinta?

One other option for saving money is to switch medications entirely—as long as your healthcare provider approves. There are alternatives to brand-name Brilinta that may be less expensive for you. Some options include:

• Generic ticagrelor: This is the most obvious choice. Generic drugs are almost always cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, and ticagrelor may cost around $467 per month.
• Plavix (clopidogrel): Another antiplatelet medication, Plavix has the same mechanism of action, and a generic version is available, costing an average of $179 per 30-day supply.
• Aspirin: For some people, aspirin might be a viable over-the-counter, inexpensive antiplatelet alternative, and sometimes, healthcare providers will recommend taking it alongside another drug.
• Effient (prasugrel): This drug is very similar to both Brilinta and Plavix, and its generic version costs an average of $423 per month.
• Pletal (cilostazol): Pletal has a different mechanism of action, but it’s still an antiplatelet drug, and its generic costs around $100 per 30-day supply.
• Xarelto (rivaroxaban): Xarelto is an anticoagulant instead of an antiplatelet, but it’s similarly effective in preventing blood clots. A one-month supply of its generic version can cost around $693.

There are several other blood thinners available, but these are some of the most common alternatives to Brilinta. Because prices can vary based on factors such as dose, insurance, location, and others, some options might not always be cheaper than Brilinta. However, some insurance plans may prefer one over the other.

Always consult a healthcare professional before switching to a new medication. They can help choose the best option for your specific condition and circumstances.

Expert takeaway

“Patients must understand that Brilinta increases bleeding risk. Any unusual or prolonged bleeding should be reported to their treating physician immediately. Additionally, if surgery is planned, Brillinta should be stopped five days before the procedure and resumed as soon as hemostasis is achieved,” says Dr. Leslie Greenberg,  Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

The SingleCare prices in this article are accurate as of December 1, 2025, for the ZIP code 23666 at the time of publication. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Brilinta coupon page for updated Brilinta prices near you.