If you’re looking at treatment options for bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia, you may want to learn more about Latuda (lurasidone).

Latuda is a prescription drug that’s used to treat:

  • schizophrenia in adults and some children
  • depressive episodes from bipolar I disorder in adults and some children

To treat depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults, Latuda will be used with certain other medications.

Latuda comes as a tablet that you swallow.

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

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

The price you pay for Latuda 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 Latuda, 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 Latuda. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Latuda in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Latuda 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 Latuda requires prior authorization.

Latuda only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. But a generic version of Latuda may eventually become available. The patent for brand-name Latuda expires in 2023. Once the patent expires, drugmakers may be able to make generic versions of the drug.

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.

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

What’s the cost of Latuda with insurance vs. without insurance?

The cost of Latuda with insurance compared to without insurance depends on several factors. Usually, the cost with insurance will be lower than without insurance.

Your cost of Latuda with insurance depends on your plan benefits. It may also depend on whether you get a 30-day or 90-day supply of the medication.

Also, if you qualify for the Latuda Copay Savings card, you could save on the cost with insurance. Visit the drugmaker’s website to learn more about the savings card for Latuda. You can also call 855-552-8832 for information.

Without insurance, your cost for Latuda may depend on:

  • the condition you’re using Latuda to treat
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • whether you get a 30-day or 90-day supply of the medication

If you don’t have insurance coverage, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the cost of Latuda. For a few resources that can help you find cost savings options for this drug, see the “Can I get help paying for Latuda?” section below.

How much does Latuda cost with Medicare?

The cost of Latuda with Medicare depends on which Medicare plan you have. Medicare offers different plans that may cover some or all of the cost of your medication.

For example, you may have a zero copay plan. (A copay is a fixed amount that some plans may require you to pay for your medication.) Or your plan may require you to pay a percentage of the total cost of Latuda.

Other factors that may affect your cost with Medicare include:

  • whether your plan has a prior authorization requirement
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • whether you get a 30-day or 90-day supply of the medication

To find out the cost of Latuda with your Medicare plan, call your plan provider.

If you take Latuda 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 Latuda if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Latuda. 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 Latuda. 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 Latuda 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 Latuda, 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 Latuda.

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

  • Does my age affect my cost for Latuda?
  • If my dosage of Latuda is changed, would this affect my cost?
  • Are there other lower cost options to treat my condition?

To learn more about Latuda, 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.