Tysabri (natalizumab) is a prescription drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Tysabri’s cost may depend on your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the cost of receiving your dose at your doctor’s office.

Tysabri is used in adults to treat:

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

The price you pay for Tysabri can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It’ll also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Tysabri infusions.

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

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

Does Tysabri cost less than Ocrevus?

It’s possible. Tysabri and Ocrevus are brand-name medications used to treat some of the same conditions, such as clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The cost of receiving either medication will depend on your insurance coverage (if you have it) and the cost you’ll pay to receive the medication at your doctor’s office.

If you have questions about the cost of Tysabri or Ocrevus, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Does Tysabri’s cost differ based on whether it’s used for multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease?

It’s possible. If you have health insurance, your cost could vary depending on how your plan covers Tysabri for different conditions.

You also may need to try other drugs before your insurance will cover Tysabri for certain conditions. But in most cases, your price for Tysabri will likely be similar whether you receive it for multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease.

If you have questions about how much Tysabri may cost for your condition, talk with your doctor or your insurance provider.

Tysabri 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 biologic drugs.

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 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 need help covering the cost of Tysabri 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 Tysabri, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. 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 Tysabri.

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

  • Will my dosage of Tysabri affect the cost?
  • Are there other lower cost drugs for my condition?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Tysabri, 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.