Key takeaways
- The cost of leflunomide may vary depending on factors like dosage strength, the pharmacy you choose, and insurance coverage. So it’s wise to compare prices.
- Optum Perks coupons may lower your price for leflunomide tablets if you don’t have insurance coverage.
- Patient assistance programs and online resources like NeedyMeds and the Medicine Assistance Tool may provide support for managing medication expenses.
Leflunomide is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. It comes as an oral tablet that you swallow.
Leflunomide is also available as the brand-name drug Arava.
Several factors can affect the price you’ll pay for leflunomide, including:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- available financial assistance for leflunomide (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)
To find out the cost of leflunomide for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. This section also has information about how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
Coupons and savings
To save money on your leflunomide prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Leflunomide is a generic drug. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.
Leflunomide comes in a brand-name version called Arava. To find out how the costs of Arava and leflunomide compare, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.
If you’ve been prescribed leflunomide and you’re interested in trying Arava instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.
If you take leflunomide long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of leflunomide if your insurance company approves it. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower the cost of leflunomide. 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. And 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 leflunomide or help understanding your insurance coverage, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details about drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about leflunomide’s cost.
Does the strength of leflunomide I’m prescribed (10 mg or 20 mg) affect the price of the drug?
It’s possible that the strength of leflunomide you’re taking may change the price of the drug. The cost of the medication may also depend on your insurance coverage and the pharmacy you’re using.
If you’d like to know the cost of your prescription, talk with your pharmacist.
Are there factors that could increase the price I pay for leflunomide?
Yes, many factors may change the cost of your leflunomide prescription. Examples include:
For instance, in some cases, you may pay more for 20-mg tablets than for 10-mg tablets. Or, your insurance may prefer the brand-name or the generic form of leflunomide, and one may cost more. To find out the cost of leflunomide for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does the cost of leflunomide compare with the cost of methotrexate?
Both leflunomide and methotrexate are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. In some cases, these medications may even be used together.
The cost of leflunomide compared with that of methotrexate depends on many factors, including:
- your dosage
- the form of medication you’re taking (for example, methotrexate is available as an injection and a tablet)
- if you’re taking the brand-name or generic form of the medication
- the pharmacy you use
- your insurance coverage
If you’re interested in finding out more about the cost differences between leflunomide and methotrexate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll be able to give you cost estimates. They can also help you determine which medication may be the best treatment option for you.
Consider the following important information if you have insurance and are prescribed leflunomide.
Though it’s unlikely, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers leflunomide. This means the company and your doctor will discuss leflunomide 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 leflunomide requires prior authorization.
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.