Blincyto (blinatumomab) is a prescription drug that treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia in certain situations. Blincyto’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.

Blincyto is prescribed to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in certain situations in adults and some children.

Blincyto comes as a powder that a healthcare professional will mix into a liquid solution. You’ll be given this drug as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). You’ll receive your infusions at a healthcare facility or at home.

For more details on Blincyto, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Blincyto can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It will also depend on how much you have to pay for a visit to a healthcare facility to start or receive Blincyto.

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

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Blincyto. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Blincyto in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Blincyto requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Blincyto requires prior authorization.

Blincyto is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure 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, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

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

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

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

If you still have questions about the cost of Blincyto, talk with your doctor. 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 amount you’d pay for Blincyto.

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

  • Will my dosage of Blincyto affect the cost?
  • Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Blincyto, see these articles:

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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.