If you’re looking at treatment options for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or certain kinds of cancer, you may want to learn more about Jakafi (ruxolitinib).

Jakafi is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:

The drug is also used to treat GVHD in some children in certain situations.

Jakafi belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors. The active ingredient in Jakafi is ruxolitinib. (An active ingredient is how a drug works.)

Jakafi comes as tablets that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on Jakafi and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Jakafi, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Jakafi can vary. Your cost 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 Jakafi, including what your cost per month may be, 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 Jakafi. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Jakafi in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Jakafi 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 Jakafi requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Jakafi and cost.

Does the cost of Jakafi differ depending on the strength, such as 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg?

Not necessarily. The cost per tablet is generally the same regardless of the strength. For example, 60 tablets in the 20-milligram (mg) strength will likely cost you the same as 60 tablets in the 10-mg strength.

But if you don’t have health insurance, your cost may vary based on your daily dosage. For example, your cost may be lower if your Jakafi dosage is one tablet per day versus two tablets per day. Be sure to take this medication exactly as your doctor prescribes it. (For more details about Jakafi’s dosage, see this article.)

The cost of Jakafi may also depend on the quantity of Jakafi you’re prescribed, such as a 30-day or 90-day supply, and the pharmacy you choose.

To learn more about what you’ll pay for Jakafi, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

How much does Jakafi cost without insurance?

The cost of Jakafi without insurance may depend on certain factors, such as your dosage or the pharmacy you choose. It may also depend on the quantity of Jakafi you’re prescribed, such as a 30-day or 90-day supply, and whether you’re eligible for any cost-savings programs.

It’s likely that your cost for Jakafi without insurance would be higher than if you have insurance.

You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about cost-savings programs for Jakafi. Also, check around with a few pharmacies for the best price. And for resources that could help you save, see the “Can I get help paying for Jakafi?” section below.

Does Jakafi have copay assistance or a manufacturer coupon?

Yes. The drugmaker of Jakafi has a group of programs called IncyteCARES, which could help you save on the cost of the drug.

These programs include help for certain people with commercial insurance or who are uninsured. Some people with Medicare Part D may also qualify for financial assistance if they meet certain income requirements.

To learn more about copay assistance, visit the drugmaker’s website or talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Jakafi 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 Jakafi 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 Jakafi if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Jakafi. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, 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 Jakafi. 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 need help covering the cost of Jakafi 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 Jakafi, 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 Jakafi.

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

  • Does the cost of Jakafi vary based on the condition I take it for?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
  • Are there other lower cost options to treat my condition?

To learn more about Jakafi, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

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.