Epidiolex (cannabidiol) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat seizures. Epidiolex’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Epidiolex is used in adults and certain children to treat the following types of seizures:
- Dravet syndrome
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe type of epilepsy)
- tuberous sclerosis complex
Epidiolex comes as a liquid solution that you swallow. The active ingredient in Epidiolex is cannabidiol (CBD). An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
For more details on Epidiolex, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Epidiolex can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.
Epidiolex is only available through a specialty pharmacy. This is a pharmacy authorized to carry specialty medications (drugs that are complex, have high prices, are difficult to take, or have special dosage or storage requirements).
To find out how much you’ll pay for Epidiolex, 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 Epidiolex. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Epidiolex in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Epidiolex 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 Epidiolex requires prior authorization.
Epidiolex only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
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.
If you take Epidiolex long term, you may be able to get a 90-day supply of the medication if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Epidiolex.
If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you need help covering the cost of Epidiolex or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs such as savings cards, and links to other services.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Epidiolex and cost.
Is Epidiolex covered by Medicare?
Yes, it’s possible. There are various types of Medicare plans. Whether your Medicare plan covers Epidiolex and how much the drug will cost depends on your specific plan benefits. For example, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan with prescription drug coverage benefits, Epidiolex may be covered.
To find out if your plan covers the medication, you can talk with your plan provider or ask your doctor. They can tell you whether your plan covers Epidiolex and what you can expect to pay.
What is the cost of Epidiolex with insurance?
The cost of Epidiolex with insurance depends on various factors. These include:
- your specific plan benefits
- if you qualify for a cost savings program
The cost may also depend on your dosage and other factors, such as a copay (your share of the cost of a medication).
To learn about the cost of Epidiolex with insurance, talk with your insurance provider or ask your doctor. They can let you know what you can expect to pay for Epidiolex.
If you still have questions about the cost of Epidiolex, 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 Epidiolex.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Does the cost of Epidiolex depend on my dosage?
- Is the cost of Epidiolex less with private insurance compared with Medicare?
- Are there other lower cost options to treat my condition if I can’t afford Epidiolex?
To learn more about Epidiolex, 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.