Viltepso (viltolarsen) is a brand-name injectable solution that’s prescribed for certain people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors.

It’s important to note that Viltepso received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through an accelerated approval process. This can occur when the FDA approves a drug based on early results from trials if there aren’t many options for treating a disease. Once clinical trials have been completed, the FDA will make a decision on full approval of the drug.

For additional information on this medication, such as the Viltepso side effects or the Viltepso mechanism of action, see this article. You may also wish to read the Viltepso prescribing information.

As with all medications, the cost of Viltepso can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Viltepso
  • whether Viltepso has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Viltepso will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

Viltepso is only available 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 need financial support to pay for Viltepso, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program through the Viltepso manufacturer called NS Support is available for Viltepso. Once enrolling in this program, you can gain access to co-pay reimbursement and other patient assistance programs. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, you can call 833-677-8778 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 Viltepso.

How does Viltepso’s cost compare with that of medications such as Vyondys 53 or Amondys 45?

The price you would pay for Viltepso versus Vyondys 53 or Amondys 45 depends on various factors.

All of these medications are available as solutions that are given by intravenous (IV) injection into a vein once per week. However, the doses of the medications are different. This may affect the cost of the drug.

In addition, Viltepso and Vyondys 53 are used for certain people with DMD with exon 53 skipping. But Amondys is used for people with DMD with exon 45 skipping. Your doctor can determine which drug may be best for you based on genetic testing.

Additional factors can affect your prescription cost, including whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment and whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance.

To learn more about the cost of Viltepso compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

How much does Viltepso cost with insurance vs. without it?

What you pay for Viltepso 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:

  • whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • the cost of receiving your dose of Viltepso at your doctor’s office or hospital

These same factors may affect your price for Viltepso if you have insurance. But the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:

  • your specific plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage

To learn more about what you’d pay for Viltepso with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Viltepso.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Viltepso. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Viltepso 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 Viltepso requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage: Viltepso is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Viltepso doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Viltepso doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

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.