Litfulo (ritlecitinib) is a brand-name oral capsule prescribed for alopecia in adults and some children. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Litfulo has a savings program.
Litfulo is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe alopecia areata in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body.
To learn about the price of Litfulo and how to save money on your prescription, keep reading. For other details about this drug, including Litfulo’s uses, see this article.
As with all medications, the cost of Litfulo can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Litfulo has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Litfulo will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Litfulo is available only as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Litfulo long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Litfulo. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Litfulo may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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 financial support to pay for Litfulo, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A Copay Savings Card is available for Litfulo. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 833-956-3376 or visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Litfulo.
How much does Litfulo cost with insurance vs. without it?
What you pay for Litfulo if you have insurance compared with what you’d pay without it depends on several factors.
Factors that could affect what you pay for this drug without insurance include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- your dosage and treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
These same factors may affect your price for Litfulo if you have insurance. The cost of the drug with insurance will also depend on:
- your specific plan benefits
- any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage (see “Insurance considerations” below)
To learn more about what you’d pay for Litfulo with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
Is Litfulo covered by Medicare?
Medicare may cover Litfulo. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug.
You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication. Your doctor may have information about your cost for Litfulo if you have Medicare.
How does Litfulo’s cost compare with that of medications such as Olumiant?
The price you’d pay for Litfulo versus that of baricitinib (Olumiant) depends on various factors, including:
- the length of your treatment
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
To learn more about the cost of Litfulo compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Litfulo.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Litfulo. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Litfulo in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Litfulo requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Litfulo, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Litfulo. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Litfulo.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details: For details about other aspects of Litfulo, refer to this article.
- Dosage: Learn about Litfulo and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects: For details about Litfulo’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Litfulo prescribing information.
- Interactions: You can find out more about what Litfulo interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about alopecia: For more information about your condition, see this article on alopecia areata.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.