If you’re looking at treatment options for specific kinds of blood cancer, you may want to learn more about Revlimid (lenalidomide).

Revlimid is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain kinds of the following blood cancers in adults:

Revlimid comes as a capsule that you swallow. Its active ingredient is lenalidomide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

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

Note: For more details on Revlimid, including its uses, see this in-depth article.

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

It’s important to know that access to Revlimid is restricted through a program called a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS).* Certain medications have a REMS program to help manage serious risks associated with those medications.

As a result, Revlimid is available only from specially certified pharmacies, which in Revlimid’s case are also specialty pharmacies. Prescriptions filled at specialty pharmacies tend to be more expensive than prescriptions filled at regular pharmacies. Talk with your doctor about which pharmacies may be able to fill your prescription.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Revlimid, 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 Revlimid. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Revlimid in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Revlimid 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 Revlimid requires prior authorization.

* For more information about the Revlimid REMS program, visit the program website or call 888-423-5436.

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

How much does Revlimid cost with insurance? Is a Revlimid copay assistance program available?

Your cost of Revlimid with insurance will depend on many factors, including your dosage, the pharmacy that you use, and your insurance plan. To find out what you’ll pay for Revlimid, contact your insurance company or pharmacy.

There isn’t a copay card or copay assistance program available for Revlimid. But a program called Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support can help you to understand your cost for Revlimid. It can also provide information on financial assistance that you may qualify for. To learn more, see the program’s webpage or call 800-861-0048.

Does Revlimid’s cost depend on which strength I take, such as the 10-mg or 25-mg tablet?

Yes, your cost for Revlimid can depend on which strength of the drug you take, in addition to other factors. These include the pharmacy that you use and your insurance plan (if you have coverage).

To find out what you’ll pay for Revlimid, contact your pharmacy or insurance provider.

What is the cost of Revlimid with Medicare?

The cost of Revlimid with Medicare depends on many factors, including your pharmacy and your specific Medicare plan. To find out what your cost for Revlimid will be through Medicare, contact your pharmacy or your insurance provider. Either can let you know how much you’ll pay for the drug.

How much does Revlimid treatment cost per month?

Your cost per month for Revlimid can depend on many factors, including your dosage, the pharmacy that you use, and your insurance plan.

Due to these factors, the cost of Revlimid per month may vary. The best way to figure out what Revlimid may cost you is to contact your insurance provider or your pharmacy. Either can estimate your monthly cost for Revlimid.

Revlimid is available as the generic drug lenalidomide. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the costs of Revlimid and lenalidomide compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Revlimid and you’re interested in taking lenalidomide instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

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 maker 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 need help covering the cost of Revlimid or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

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. A program called Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support may also help you find ways to save on the cost of Revlimid. For more information, see the program webpage or call 800-861-0048.

If you still have questions about the cost of Revlimid, 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 Revlimid.

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

  • Does the cost of Revlimid vary depending on which kind of cancer it’s used to treat?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford Revlimid?
  • Are there lower cost options available to treat my condition?

To learn more about Revlimid, 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.