Venclexta (venetoclax) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain forms of cancer. Venclexta’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the specialty pharmacy you use.

Venclexta is used in adults to treat the following types of cancer:

Venclexta contains the active ingredient venetoclax. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work).

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

The price you pay for Venclexta can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the specialty pharmacy you use. Your treatment costs may also depend on other medications you need to take with Venclexta.

Venclexta is only available through a specialty pharmacy. This is a pharmacy authorized to carry specialty medications. These include drugs that are complex, have high prices, are difficult to take, or have special dosage or storage requirements.

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

Venclexta 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. 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.

Venclexta is only available at specialty pharmacies. If you take Venclexta 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 Venclexta if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Venclexta. 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 service through your specialty pharmacy. Using mail order through your specialty pharmacy might help lower your cost for Venclexta. 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.

If you need help covering the cost of Venclexta 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.

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

Can I receive Venclexta from my local pharmacy?

No, you can’t pick up Venclexta from your local pharmacy. This drug is only available through a specialty pharmacy. This is a pharmacy authorized to carry specialty medications (drugs that are complex, have high prices, are difficult to take, or have special dosage or storage requirements). You can either pick up Venclexta or have it delivered to your home from the specialty pharmacy.

To learn more about getting Venclexta from a specialty pharmacy, talk with your doctor.

Do higher dosages of Venclexta cost more than lower dosages?

Different dosages of Venclexta may have different costs. Venclexta comes in three strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 100 mg. The price you’ll pay for Venclexta depends on several factors, including the specialty pharmacy you use, your dosage, and whether you have health insurance.

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

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

  • Besides Venclexta, which other low cost or generic drugs can I use to treat my condition?
  • When a biosimilar version is available, can I switch immediately to save on cost?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Venclexta, 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.