If you’re at risk of blood clots, you may want to learn more about Brilinta (ticagrelor). It’s a prescription tablet used to lower the risk of some heart and blood clot problems in certain adults who:
- have acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or have had a heart attack
- have ACS and a stent (a tiny tube that keeps blood vessels open)
- have coronary artery disease (CAD) with a high risk of heart attack or stroke, but who haven’t had either in the past
- are having an ischemic stroke (stroke due to a blocked vessel) or transient ischemic attack (ministroke)
Keep reading for details on Brilinta and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on Brilinta, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Brilinta can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Brilinta, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Brilinta. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Brilinta in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Brilinta 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 Brilinta requires prior authorization.
Brilinta only comes as a brand-name drug. A generic drug (ticagrelor) has been approved, but it’s not currently available in pharmacies. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?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 drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers 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.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Brilinta and cost.
Is there a copay card or manufacturer coupon available for Brilinta?
Yes, the maker of Brilinta offers a savings card. Visit the website to see if you qualify.
Check out the “Help paying for Brilinta” section below for more information about copay assistance and other savings.
What’s the cost of Brilinta with Medicare?
The cost of Brilinta with Medicare depends on the specific Medicare plan you have. Copays vary depending on whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan.
To learn more about what you’ll pay for Brilinta with Medicare, call your Medicare plan representative or talk with your pharmacist.
How much does Brilinta cost without insurance vs. with insurance?
Generally, you may pay more for Brilinta if you don’t have insurance. If you’re uninsured, see the “Help paying for Brilinta” section below for cost-saving information. Your doctor or pharmacist may also know about ways to help you pay for Brilinta.
If you have insurance, the cost of Brilinta may vary depending on whether your plan covers the drug and what your prescription copay is. Contact your pharmacy or your insurance provider to find out how much your copay will be.
If you take Brilinta 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 Brilinta if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Brilinta, 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 Brilinta. 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.
If you fill your prescription for Brilinta by mail, the drugmaker offers a mail-in rebate. Visit its website to see if you qualify.
If you need help covering the cost of Brilinta 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 pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of Brilinta, 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 Brilinta.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Will my dosage of Brilinta affect the cost?
- When will the generic version of Brilinta be available in pharmacies?
- Are there other drugs that cost less that could treat my condition?
- Where can I find more information about help paying for Brilinta?
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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.