If you’re looking at treatment options for certain autoimmune conditions, you may want to learn more about Remicade.

Remicade is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following in adults:

It’s also used to treat the following in adults and some children:

Remicade comes as a powder. A healthcare professional mixes the powder with liquid to form a solution, which they give as an intravenous (IV) infusion. (This is an injection into a vein given over time.)

This drug contains the active ingredient infliximab. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

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

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

The price you pay for Remicade infusions can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and where you get your infusion. This could be in a doctor’s office or infusion center. Or a healthcare professional may be able to give you infusions at your home.

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

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

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

What is the price of Remicade infusions with insurance and without insurance?

The cost of Remicade with no insurance is usually higher than its cost with insurance. To find out what you’ll pay for Remicade with insurance, ask your doctor or insurance provider.

If you don’t have insurance coverage, your doctor may be able to suggest ways to help save on the cost of Remicade.

For a few financial assistance resources, see the “Can I get help paying for Remicade” section below. These resources may help you find options for lowering your price for Remicade, regardless of whether you have insurance.

Is a copay card or other copay assistance available for Remicade?

Yes, copay assistance is available for eligible people who have commercial insurance (insurance that’s not federal or state funded).

A copay is a fixed amount that you might have to pay for services, including prescriptions. This depends on your insurance plan.

Remicade’s drugmaker offers copay assistance in the form of its Janssen CarePath Savings Program Card. It helps with the cost of Remicade, but does not cover the cost of doctor’s office or infusion center visits to receive the drug. For more information about this card, as well as other cost-saving options for Remicade, see the Janssen CarePath website.

If you need help covering the cost of Remicade or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on cost 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.

Remicade is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living cells. It comes in several biosimilar forms. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

The following biosimilars are available for Remicade:

  • Avsola (infliximab-axxq)*
  • Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb)
  • Ixifi (infliximab-qbtx)
  • Renflexis (infliximab-abda)

Remicade is also available as “unbranded” infliximab. This is exactly the same drug as Remicade, and it may cost you less.

For information about the cost of biosimilars for Remicade, as well as “unbranded” infliximab, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

* Four-letter suffixes appear at the end of these drug names to show that the drugs are distinct from each other and similar medications that may be created.

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 drugmaker of a biologic drug can sell it 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 still have questions about the cost of Remicade, 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 Remicade.

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

  • Would a biosimilar of Remicade be a good treatment option for me?
  • Will my dosage of Remicade affect the cost?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Remicade, 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.