Litfulo (ritlecitinib) is a prescription drug made to treat a certain type of hair loss called alopecia areata. Litfulo’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Litfulo can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It also may depend on the pharmacy you use.

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

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

Where can you buy Litfulo? Can you buy Litfulo online?

Litfulo is available only through specific specialty pharmacies. If you and your doctor decide you’ll start Litfulo treatment, your doctor will send your prescription to one of these specialty pharmacies. Then, the pharmacy will contact you for your insurance information, to set up delivery, and to collect applicable copays.

To find out more about this process, talk with your doctor.

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

The cost of Litfulo without insurance versus with insurance can vary based on several factors.

Some factors that may affect your cost of Litfulo without insurance include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • the pharmacy you choose
  • the quantity of Litfulo you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • any savings programs you qualify for

The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But in addition, your cost with insurance may depend on:

To find out more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also check with your insurance provider if you have one.

Whether or not you have insurance, you can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for some drugs when you use coupons from the site. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.) It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Litfulo comes only as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic 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 manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively 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 Litfulo 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 Litfulo if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Litfulo. If you’re interested in 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 Litfulo. 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 Litfulo 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 Litfulo or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, 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 have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Litfulo. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Litfulo in regard to your treatment. Then, the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Litfulo 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 Litfulo requires prior authorization.

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.