Wakix (pitolisant) is a brand-name tablet that’s prescribed for excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, brief loss of muscle strength (cataplexy). The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, may vary.
As with all medications, the cost of Wakix can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Wakix has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Wakix will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Wakix 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 take Wakix 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 Wakix. 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
Wakix 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 Wakix, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called WAKIX for You is available for Wakix. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 1-855-925-4948 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 Wakix.
Why is Wakix so expensive?
The cost of Wakix can depend on many factors. These include your insurance coverage, your treatment plan, and the pharmacy you use. Some additional reasons why Wakix may be more expensive include:
- Wakix is only available at specialty pharmacies. This means you can’t pick it up at a regular community pharmacy. Medications dispensed by specialty pharmacies are typically for less common conditions and tend to cost more. It may be harder to find a pharmacy that dispenses Wakix since specialty pharmacies are not as common as community pharmacies.
- Wakix isn’t available in a generic version. Brand medications without an available generic typically cost more.
Talk with your doctor or insurance provider if you have questions about the cost of Wakix.
How does Wakix’s cost compare with that of medications such as Xyrem or Sunosi?
For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Wakix is available in tablet form, Xyrem is available in an oral liquid solution, and Sunosi is available as a tablet. Typically, oral liquid dosage forms cost more than oral tablets.
There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, 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 Wakix 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 Wakix.
Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Wakix. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Wakix 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 Wakix requires prior authorization.
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.