Nucala and Cost: Reducing Long-Term Drug Costs and More Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe

Nucala and Cost What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Damilola Omopariola, PharmD, BCACP — By Jen Seabright, PharmD on October 20, 2022

Introduction

If you’re looking at treatment options for asthma or certain conditions related to allergies, you may want to learn more about Nucala. Nucala is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults and some children:severe eosinophilic asthmahypereosinophilic syndrome, which involves having a high level of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) It’s also used to treat the following conditions in adults:chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polypseosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome Nucala is an injection you receive under your skin. It comes in three forms: a liquid in a prefilled syringe, a liquid in an autoinjector, and a powder that’s mixed with sterile water before injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections. Or your doctor may show you how to give yourself these injections at home. The active ingredient in Nucala is mepolizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Keep reading for details on Nucala and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions. Note: For more details on Nucala, see this in-depth article.

How much does Nucala cost

The price you pay for Nucala injections can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on whether you give yourself injections. If a healthcare professional gives you your dose, you may have to pay for your appointments to receive Nucala. To find out how much you’ll pay for Nucala, 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 Nucala. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Nucala in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Nucala 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 Nucala requires prior authorization.

FAQs about cost and Nucala

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

What is the cost per month for Nucala injections with insurance and without insurance

If you don’t have insurance, your cost per month for Nucala injections will likely be higher than if you have insurance. If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider what you’ll pay for Nucala. Otherwise, your doctor or pharmacist can give you information about the price of Nucala. They may also be able to suggest ways to help save on the drug’s cost. For a few financial assistance resources, see the “Can I get help paying for Nucala ” section below. These resources may help you find options for lowering your price for Nucala, regardless of whether you have insurance.

Is the cost of Nucala autoinjectors different from prefilled syringes

It’s possible. The cost of the Nucala autoinjector may be different from the Nucala prefilled syringes. And if you have insurance, your plan may only cover one form or the other. For information about the cost difference between the autoinjector and prefilled syringe forms of Nucala, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Can I get help paying for Nucala

If you need help covering the cost of Nucala or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:Nucala Co-Pay ProgramNeedyMedsMedicine Assistance Tool 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.

Is Nucala available as a generic or biosimilar

Nucala is a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It only comes as a brand-name drug, so it does not have a biosimilar version. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic 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 drugmaker 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.

How can I lower my long-term drug costs

If you take Nucala 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 Nucala if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Nucala. 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 pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Nucala. 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. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

What should my next steps be

If you still have questions about the cost of Nucala, 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 Nucala. Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:Will the form I take of Nucala affect my cost?Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?What options do I have if I can’t pay for my medication? 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. Last medically reviewed on October 20, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Nucala (mepolizumab) for injection, for subcutaneous use; Nucala (mepolizumab) injection, for subcutaneous use. (2022).
accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/761122s008,125526s019lbl.pdfDrugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs. (n.d.).
accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 20, 2022 By Jen Seabright, PharmD Edited By Nizam Khan (TechSpace) Medically Reviewed By Damilola Omopariola, PharmD, BCACP Share this articleMedically reviewed by Damilola Omopariola, PharmD, BCACP — By Jen Seabright, PharmD on October 20, 2022

Treatments for Eosinophilic AsthmaMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Eosinophilic asthma is a subtype of asthma that’s often severe. Learn what some of the different treatments are so that you can effectively manage…READ MOREHow Do Biologics Treat Severe Asthma?Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI In the last few years, a new group of prescription drugs has been introduced to treat severe asthma. Learn about how biologics treat severe asthma.READ MORELung Granulomas: What Do You Need to Know?Medically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M.D. A lung granuloma is typically harmless and has no symptoms. Learn more here. READ MORENasal Polyp Removal Without Surgery: Treatment OptionsMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Can nasal polyps be removed without surgery, and will they come back? Learn about your treatment options and success rates, including nasal sprays…READ MOREEverything You Need to Know About Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) for AsthmaMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Learn about new biologic treatments that help treat severe asthma or work as an add-on therapy to current treatment.READ MOREWhat Is Clenbuterol? Clenbuterol isn’t approved for use in the United States but is used in other countries to treat asthma. People use it for livestock and horses. It’s…READ MOREWhat to Expect from an Exercise-Induced Asthma Test If you suspect you have exercise-induced asthma, you'll need to visit a medical professional to be tested. Here's what to expect before, during, and…READ MOREThe Pros and Cons of Dry Powder Inhalers and How to Use Them Correctly Your doctor may prescribe a dry powder inhaler to help relieve symptoms of asthma or COPD. Here's how they work and how to use them correctly.READ MOREHow ‘Veep’ Star Tony Hale Is Helping Others with Asthma Breathe Easier The Emmy-winning actor shares how living with asthma helped him play the beloved characters he’s famous for, and why he wants others living with the…READ MOREWhen to Consider Using a Wheelchair for Severe Asthma While they're not commonly used for asthma, wheelchairs can help people with severe symptoms get around easier.READ MORE

TREND NOW

Nucala and Cost Reducing Long Term Drug Costs and More