If you’re looking at treatment options for a certain kind of arthritis or inflammatory condition, you may want to learn more about Humira (adalimumab).
Humira is a prescription drug that’s used for:
- ankylosing spondylitis in adults
- Crohn’s disease in adults and some children
- hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and some children
- juvenile idiopathic arthritis in some children
- plaque psoriasis in adults
- psoriatic arthritis in adults
- rheumatoid arthritis in adults
- ulcerative colitis in adults and some children
- uveitis in adults and some children
Humira comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.
Keep reading for details on the Humira injection and cost and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on Humira, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Humira 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 how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor if you receive Humira at your doctor’s office.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Humira, including what your cost per dose may be, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you need help covering the cost of Humira or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
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 paying for Humira, including what your cost per month or cost per year may be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
A copay savings card called the Humira Complete Savings Card may also be available to you. This card may save you money on the cost of your Humira prescription if you have insurance and meet certain requirements. For more information about Humira copay assistance, see the manufacturer’s website.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Humira and cost.
How much does Humira cost without insurance vs. with insurance?
Your cost for Humira may depend on several factors, including whether you have insurance. In general, you may pay more if you don’t have insurance.
The manufacturer of Humira offers the Humira Complete Savings Card. See the section directly above for details.
You can learn more about cost-saving programs for Humira on the manufacturer’s website.
You can also talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have insurance).
Does the cost of Humira depend on the form (such as the pen or prefilled syringe)?
It’s possible that the cost of Humira may vary depending on whether you’re prescribed the pen or prefilled syringe.
Humira’s cost depends on several factors, including:
- the form of Humira you use
- if you have insurance or are paying out of pocket for the Humira pen or prefilled syringe
- your dosage
- the quantity of Humira (such as a 30-day supply or 90-day supply)
- where you get Humira (prices may vary by pharmacy)
If you have questions about how much you’ll pay for Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Humira is a biologic drug. This means it’s made from living cells. There are biosimilar drugs available for Humira. Biosimilar medications are similar to generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.
Biosimilars for Humira include Amjevita, Abrilada, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, Hadlima, Hulio, and Yusimry. Bur these biosimilar versions are not yet available for use.
Your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider can tell you more about when these biosimilar versions of Humira will be available and how their costs may compare with Humira.
It’s important to note that not all biosimilars are interchangeable with Humira. If you’re interested in trying a biosimilar once it’s available, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine the appropriate biosimilar and dosage for you.
Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug makers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take Humira 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 Humira if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Humira. 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 Humira. 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.
Some forms of Humira may not be available by mail order. Your doctor can tell you more about other cost-saving options for Humira.
If you still have questions about the cost of Humira, 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 Humira.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Would a biosimilar version of Humira cost less?
- Does my dosage of Humira affect the cost of the drug?
- Are there other lower cost medications available to treat my condition?
You can learn more about some of Humira’s uses by subscribing to Healthline’s newsletters for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
You can also read people’s stories and find support from the Bezzy communities for IBD and psoriatic arthritis.
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.