Promacta (eltrombopag) is a prescription drug used to treat certain blood disorders. Promacta’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

Promacta is used in adults and certain children to treat blood disorders that cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Platelets are cells involved in blood clotting.

Specifically, Promacta is prescribed for:

People who take Promacta must have tried other treatments for their condition without success.

Promacta belongs to a group of drugs called thrombopoietin receptor activators. It comes in two oral forms:

  • a tablet
  • a powder that you mix with water to make a liquid suspension

For more details on Promacta, see this in-depth article.

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

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

Will Promacta 25 mg cost less than Promacta 50 mg?

The costs of different strengths of Promacta may differ. Promacta tablets come in the following strengths: 12.5 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg. So, for example, the 50-mg tablets may cost more than the lower strength 25-mg tablets.

But differences in cost may also depend on your drug insurance coverage (If you have any) and which pharmacy you use. To find out the difference in cost between different strengths of Promacta, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

Does Promacta cost less than alternative drugs used for the same condition?

Promacta may cost less than certain other treatments for low platelet count. Other medications in the same group, called thrombopoietin receptor activators, are injections rather than tablets. The form of the medication may influence the cost of the drug.

The cost of Promacta alternatives may also depend on your drug coverage (if you have it) and the pharmacy you use. To compare the costs of different drugs used to treat low platelet count, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

Is Promacta covered by Medicare?

Yes, Promacta is covered by Medicare prescription drug plans. The amount you’ll pay for Promacta depends on which Medicare plan you’re enrolled in. To find out exactly how much the drug will cost you, contact your insurance provider.

Promacta only comes 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 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 Promacta 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 Promacta if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Promacta. 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 Promacta. 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 Promacta 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 Promacta, 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 insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Promacta.

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

  • What’s the difference in cost between Promacta oral liquid suspension and tablets?
  • If I need to increase my dose, what’s the most I’d pay for Promacta?
  • How can I receive Promacta for free?

To learn more about Promacta, 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.