Xgeva (denosumab) is a prescription drug used to treat certain bone conditions and prevent bone complications in people with cancer. Xgeva’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.

The price you pay for Xgeva can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and how much you have to pay for an office visit to receive Xgeva injections.

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

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

How does the cost of Xgeva compare with that of similar drugs, such as Prolia?

Despite having the same active ingredient (denosumab), the costs of Xgeva and Prolia can vary, depending on several factors. For example, Xgeva comes in a different form and dose than Prolia, which may affect the cost. Xgeva comes in a 70-milligram per milliliter (mg/mL) solution in a single-use vial. Prolia comes as a single-dose prefilled syringe of 60 mg/mL.

Other factors that may affect how much you pay include:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts

If you have questions about the cost of Xgeva compared with the cost of similar medications, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

How much does Xgeva cost without insurance?

What you’ll pay for Xgeva without insurance depends on several factors. Generally, your cost will be higher without insurance. Factors that could affect your cost include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • whether you qualify for any savings programs

To find out the exact cost of Xgeva without insurance, talk with your doctor.

Xgeva 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 exclusively 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 Xgeva or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, 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.

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

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.