If you’re looking at treatment options for dry eye disease, you may want to learn more about Xiidra and its cost. It’s a prescription drug used to treat the symptoms of dry eye disease in adults.

Xiidra comes as a liquid eye drop in single-use vials. It contains the active ingredient lifitegrast. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

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

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

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

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

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

Is there a copay card or manufacturer coupon available for Xiidra?

The drugmaker of Xiidra has a savings program. You may be eligible if you’re covered by a private (commercial) insurance plan. People covered by Medicare are not eligible to enroll in the Xiidra savings program.

How much does Xiidra cost with insurance vs. without insurance?

The amount you pay for Xiidra will vary and will likely be higher if you don’t have insurance coverage. And Xiidra’s cost with Medicare may be different from its cost with other insurance plans.

For the specific amount you’d pay for this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist (if you don’t have insurance) or your insurance provider (if you do).

Xiidra only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less than the brand-name version.

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 drugmaker 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 take Xiidra 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 Xiidra if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Xiidra. And 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. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Xiidra 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 paying for Xiidra, including what your cost per month may be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Xiidra Savings may also be available.

If you still have questions about the cost of Xiidra, 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. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • Will my dosage of Xiidra affect the cost?
  • Are there lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • If I get a smaller quantity of Xiidra, will it cost less than a larger quantity?

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.