If you’re looking at treatment options for certain lung conditions, you may want to learn more about Ofev (nintedanib). It’s a prescription drug used in adults to:

Ofev comes as a capsule you swallow. It contains the active ingredient nintedanib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

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

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

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

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

Why is Ofev so expensive?

Ofev is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic (long-term) interstitial lung diseases with worsening fibrosis (scarring). It’s also used to slow the decline in lung function that can happen with interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis.

Many years of testing and research must occur to make sure a brand-name drug such as Ofev is safe and effective. This can make these drugs expensive. There’s currently no generic version available for Ofev, and there likely won’t be one until 2029.

There are other drugs approved to treat some of the conditions Ofev treats. Some of these drugs include:

If your doctor recommends Ofev, you can ask whether there is another treatment option that may be less expensive.

See “Can I get help paying for Ofev?” below for possible cost-saving options.

How much does Ofev cost per month with Medicare?

Your cost for Ofev with Medicare depends on your particular Medicare plan. If your Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan covers Ofev, the copay may differ according to the plan.

If you have questions about your cost of Ofev with Medicare, talk with your plan representative.

How does the cost of Ofev compare with insurance and without insurance?

What you’ll pay for Ofev will vary depending on your specific insurance plan, if you have one. You’ll likely pay more if you don’t have coverage for prescription drugs.

Your cost for Ofev may also depend on the pharmacy you use. Ofev prescriptions are usually filled at what’s known as specialty pharmacies. This kind of pharmacy mails your prescription to you, so you won’t pick it up at your local drugstore.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider to get a better idea of your exact cost for Ofev. And see “Can I get help paying for Ofev?” below for possible cost-saving options.

Ofev only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. (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.

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

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

  • Will my dosage of Ofev affect the cost?
  • Does the number of capsules I’m prescribed affect the cost?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford Ofev?

To learn more about Ofev, 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.