Praluent (alirocumab) is a prescription drug used to treat high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Praluent’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 Praluent can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

Note: For more information about Praluent, including its side effects, dosage, and how it compares to similar options (such as Praluent vs. Repatha), see this in-depth article.

To save money on your Praluent prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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

Is the Praluent 75-mg/mL pen price lower than the 150-mg/mL pen price?

It’s possible. The pen that’s 75 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) may cost less than the 150-mg/mL pen, depending on various factors.

For example, if you have insurance coverage, your Praluent cost per month may depend on your individual plan benefits. And if you don’t have insurance, your cost may be higher for either strength, compared with the cost of Praluent with insurance.

Other factors that may affect your cost for different strengths of Praluent include your treatment plan and whether you’re eligible for any cost savings programs.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one) about your cost for Praluent.

Is Praluent covered by Medicare?

It may be. To find out whether Praluent is covered by your Medicare plan, contact your plan provider. Your Praluent cost with Medicare depends on your individual plan and benefits. You can also talk with your pharmacist to learn whether your Medicare plan covers Praluent and what you can expect to pay if it’s covered.

To learn more about Medicare prescription drug plans, see this article.

How much is Praluent without insurance?

It depends. To find out how much Praluent will cost without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you the price of the drug based on various factors, such as:

  • the strength of Praluent you’re prescribed
  • your treatment plan
  • the quantity of medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • any available cost savings programs you qualify and apply for

What is Praluent’s cost with insurance?

Your Praluent cost with insurance depends on several factors, but it will typically be lower than the cost if you don’t have insurance. Factors that affect your cost with insurance include:

  • your individual insurance plan and benefits
  • whether you qualify and apply for any cost savings programs
  • the quantity of the medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
  • if your plan has prior authorization requirements (see the section just below for more information)

To find out your exact Praluent cost with insurance, reach out to your plan provider or your pharmacist.

Praluent is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologics.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it exclusively for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you use Praluent long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Praluent if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of Praluent, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Praluent. 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 Praluent 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 Praluent 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 Praluent. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Praluent 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 Praluent 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.