Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a brand-name medication that is manufactured by AstraZeneca. It is used to help prevent heart attacks and strokes by stopping the formation of blood clots. Brilinta prices can be very expensive if you do not have insurance coverage or if your plan does not cover it. Currently, there is no generic version of Brilinta and one is not expected to hit the market in the United States until 2024. There are, however, generic versions of Brilinta available in other countries.
Keep reading for more information on what Brilinta is used for, the cost of Brilinta without insurance, and where you can find it at the lowest cost.
What are the uses of Brilinta?
The active ingredient of Brilinta, ticagrelor, is considered an antiplatelet medication or platelet aggregation inhibitor. It helps prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots in your blood vessels. Brilinta is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), coronary artery disease (CAD), and those who have had a stent implanted. Your dose of Brilinta will be determined by the condition being treated, but you will typically take either a 60 mg or 90 mg tablet twice daily along with a low-dose aspirin once daily.
Is Brilinta a high-risk medication?
As with all medications, Brilinta can cause side effects, some of which can be serious. The most common side effects of Brilinta include shortness of breath, minor bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Brilinta can also cause more serious side effects such as allergic reactions, serious, sometimes fatal bleeding, liver problems, and slow heart rate. This is not a full list of side effects. Contact your healthcare professional for additional information and questions about side effects.
There are also a number of drug interactions with Brilinta. Be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you take medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, fungal or bacterial infections, seizures, HIV, pain/fever, or if you take other blood thinners or anticoagulants.
How much does Brilinta cost without insurance?
If you are uninsured or if your insurance provider doesn’t cover Brilinta, it can be very expensive. It is a brand-name drug with no generic version available in the US until sometime in 2024. The average retail cost of a 30-day supply (60 tablets) of Brilinta 90 mg tablets is almost $600.
If you cannot afford Brilinta, ask your healthcare provider about alternatives that your insurance plan might cover or ones that have a generic available. Some other blood thinners or anticoagulants that are available as generic drugs include Plavix (clopidogrel), Effient (prasugrel), Coumadin (warfarin), and Aggrenox (dipyridamole/ASA).
You should not take OTC medications or supplements in place of prescription medications to manage your condition.
Is Brilinta covered by my insurance?
Your health insurance plan may cover part of the cost of Brilinta but the copay will depend on your insurance coverage. Some insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, may require prior authorization before they cover your Brilinta prescription. They may also require you to try and fail alternative medications such as Plavix before they will cover this medication.
You should contact your insurance provider to see if Brilinta is covered and what your out-of-pocket cost will be.
How can you save money on Brilinta without insurance?
With an estimated yearly cost of almost $7,000, most people can not afford Brilinta if their insurance plan doesn’t cover it. However, there are several ways to save money on Brilinta, including:
Universal Drugstore
You don’t need a Brilinta coupon or Brilinta savings card to save up to 80% on this medication when purchased from Universal Drugstore. We are the global leader in online prescription savings with almost 20 years of experience supplying prescription and over-the-counter medications to our customers. Check out our online pharmacy to find our lowest price on Brilinta and many other medications.
Health insurance plan
The best long-term solution is to find a health insurance plan that covers your Brilinta prescription. Most plans are affordable and will cost less than paying the full price for Brilinta. Start by searching the health insurance marketplace to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for coverage.
Patient assistance program
AstraZeneca offers a patient assistance program, savings card, and rebates, that help you with the cost of Brilinta. The patient assistance program, AZ&Me, may be able to help you get Brilinta if you qualify. Click the link above to see if you are eligible for this program.
If you have commercial insurance, you may receive this medication for as little as $5, if you meet the eligibility requirements. This is subject to a maximum savings of $200 per 30-day supply. According to AstraZeneca, 9 out of 10 commercially insured patients who qualify pay less than the cost of generic clopidogrel with a Brilinta Savings Card.
If you fill your prescription for Brilinta by mail, AstraZeneca offers a mail-in rebate. You can print and fill out a form or call 1-888-512-7454.
Medicaid
You may be eligible for Medicaid, depending on your yearly income. Medicaid is used to help low-income individuals and may cover the cost of Brilinta. Check with the Medicaid office or website in your state to see if you qualify.
Prescription drug discount card
You can also save money by using a discount card to buy Brilinta. Discount cards can be used at local participating pharmacies, even if you have commercial or private insurance.
Shop around
You should look at the prices at multiple pharmacies for the best price of Brilinta, including online and mail-order pharmacies. It is estimated that retail prices for the same prescription medication can vary by hundreds of dollars at different pharmacies, even in the same city.
Find an alternative medication
Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about an alternative anticoagulant medication you can use. Most of the alternatives have generic versions available, including Plavix (clopidogrel), Coumadin (warfarin), Effient (prasugrel), and Aggrenox (dipyridamole/ASA).
Sources
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Brilinta: https://www.brilintahcp.com/affordability/savings-card.html
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Brilinta Package Insert: https://den8dhaj6zs0e.cloudfront.net/50fd68b9-106b-4550-b5d0-12b045f8b184/565ceafd-fbe3-4573-9c39-19280af566ec/565ceafd-fbe3-4573-9c39-19280af566ec_viewable_rendition__v.pdf
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GoodRx: https://www.goodrx.com/brilinta
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Fierce Pharma: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/astrazeneca-has-dumped-billions-into-brilinta-r-d-but-will-it-ever-pay-off
