How much is Cosentyx without insurance?

Is Cosentyx covered by insurance? | How much does Cosentyx cost without insurance? | Cosentyx alternatives | Factors influencing Cosentyx cost | Generic Cosentyx | How to save on Cosentyx

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an injectable prescription medication. It treats inflammatory skin conditions, such as plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Cosentyx also treats arthritis conditions (psoriatic arthritis and enthesitis-related arthritis) and arthritis of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis). The typical cash price of Cosentyx varies, but as of January 2024, the average retail price was $8,193.51 per dose, which is usually a month’s supply. Patients with prescription drug coverage or coupons will likely pay much less. Since Cosentyx can be pricey, we’ve collected resources to help you save on your prescription.

Is Cosentyx covered by insurance?

Cosentyx may or may not be covered by commercial health insurance or Medicare Part D. Some insurance plans do not include Cosentyx on their lists of covered drugs. The insurance plans that do cover Cosentyx may require prior authorization or step therapy, which is when other drugs are tried first. Some insurance formularies classify Cosentyx as a Tier 5 drug, so you may have a very high copay, even with insurance coverage.

How much does Cosentyx cost without insurance?

Without insurance or coupons, the average retail price of Cosentyx is $8,193.51 per month for either a 150 mg or 300 mg self-injection package. Cost will vary depending on your prescribed dosage, insurance plan, and pharmacy.

Cosentyx alternatives

Cosentyx is a monoclonal antibody that suppresses the immune system to help clear symptoms of arthritic or psoriatic conditions, specifically by blocking interleukin-17A. These types of antibodies are classified as biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Other interleukin-17A inhibitors include Taltz (ixekizumab) and Siliq (brodalumab). Both of these are comparably priced to or more expensive than Cosentyx, so switching to one of them may not help save you money. 

The most affordable alternatives to Cosentyx are traditional DMARDs. These are non-biologic immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate sodium, cyclosporine modified, Arava (leflunomide), Azulfidine (sulfasalazine), and Azasan (azathioprine).

Given Cosentyx’s versatility in treating multiple conditions, it’s best to discuss tailored treatment options with a healthcare provider.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.

Factors influencing the cost of Cosentyx

Different variables can influence the cost of Cosentyx. Let’s start with factors within your control: insurance and pharmacies. Insurance often makes prescriptions more affordable. As for pharmacies—prescription medicine costs can vary by location. Additionally, online pharmacies sometimes offer prices that are different from those offered by brick-and-mortar pharmacies. 

Biologic DMARDs vs. traditional DMARDs

Cosentyx is also expensive due to its innovative, highly effective biologic technology. Biologic DMARDs like Cosentyx, designed from living cells, offer targeted treatment for inflammation, but they come at a higher cost. “Cosentyx (and the entire class of ‘biologics’ medications) are very expensive but also life-changing,” says Todd Minars, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Minars Dermatology.

Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), biologics are the fastest-growing medication class in the United States. Traditional DMARDs were the primary option before, but they lacked the precision of biologic DMARDs. Traditional DMARDs are still available and are typically more affordable but less effective than biologic DMARDs like Cosentyx.

“[Cosentyx’s] cost really has to do with the extensive research and development that has gone into this type of medication,” explains Geeta Yadav, MD, dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. “Cosentyx and its competitors are highly targeted therapies for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and other auto-inflammatory conditions.”

Is there a generic Cosentyx?

There is currently no generic form of Cosentyx since it is the original biologic medication of its type to be FDA-approved in the United States. If a generic equivalent for Cosentyx ever hits the market, it will be called a “biosimilar.”

“Currently, there is no secukinumab [Cosentyx] biosimilar approved and available for use in the United States or Canada,” Dr. Yadav says. “A biosimilar is very similar to the originator or innovator molecule and is manufactured typically after the patent expires on the originator molecule.” Even when biosimilar versions of a biologic drug exist, strong patent protections for the original biologic often delay the release of the biosimilar for use by the general public.

While there’s no generic biosimilar for Cosentyx, there’s a new biosimilar on the market as an alternative to Cosentyx: “The first biosimilar for any of the biologics came out recently, and it was for Humira,” Dr. Minars says. 

How to save on Cosentyx without insurance

Biologic prescription medications like Cosentyx can be expensive. Sometimes, manufacturers offer coupons or patient assistance programs, but eligibility is often limited for these discounts. Here are reliable ways to save on Cosentyx without insurance:

1. Use SingleCare discounts. At participating pharmacies, a SingleCare prescription discount card can shave up to 80% off the list price of medications. Your SingleCare discount card is free with no strings attached (no copays, fees, premiums, or expirations). All you need to qualify is a valid prescription for your medication. Get your SingleCare prescription discount card here, and check back periodically for available Cosentyx coupons.
2. Use health insurance. Health insurance may make Cosentyx more affordable than its list price. When choosing a health insurance plan, inquire whether it covers Cosentyx and which tier it is in. If insurance doesn’t cover Cosentyx, it may cover a Cosentyx alternative.
3. Apply for patient assistant programs. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Cosentyx, has two savings options. Patients whose insurance is approved may be eligible for $0 copays once enrolled in its copay program, Cosentyx Connect. For those with private insurance coverage that isn’t initially approved, its program Covered Until You’re Covered supplies qualifying patients with up to two years of Cosentyx for free while working with their provider to gain coverage.
4. Compare pharmacy prices. According to Dr. Minars, Cosentyx often requires specialty pharmacy orders with limited options available for pickup. Before your healthcare provider submits your prescription, ask if there are multiple pharmacy options with different prices. For additional savings, see if any pharmacies take SingleCare discount cards.
5. Try Cosentyx alternatives. Ask your healthcare provider about affordable alternatives to Cosentyx. Depending on your reason for treatment, possible substitutes include Humira, Enbrel, Skyrizi, Tremfya, and Taltz. Dr. Minars recommends the last three for treating psoriasis. For psoriasis and arthritis, ask your healthcare provider about “traditional DMARD” alternatives that might be more affordable, such as methotrexate sodium, cyclosporine modified, Azasan (azathioprine), Azulfidine (sulfasalazine), and Arava (leflunomide). These may not be as potent as biologic DMARDs like Cosentyx, but they generally cost less, especially when coupling a generic with SingleCare discounts. 
6. Try narrow-band UVB therapy. “Another non-medication option for extensive psoriasis is narrow-band UVB therapy,” Dr. Minars says. “Home units are available and [are] sometimes covered by insurance. These would have to be prescribed and managed by a dermatologist.”