Key takeaways:
Aklief (trifarotene) is a prescription-only topical retinoid used to treat acne in people ages 9 and older.
One pump of Aklief 45 g costs an average of $883.69 without insurance or discounts. But a GoodRx discount could lower the cost to as little as $700.73.
Coverage for Aklief varies widely across insurance types. You may be able to pay as little as $20 for a 45 g pump if you have commercial insurance and qualify for the manufacturer copay savings card.
Save on related medications
Aklief (trifarotene) is a prescription-only topical retinoid used to treat acne in people ages 9 and older. Topical retinoids help improve skin cell renewal and remove dead skin cells.
Aklief is a cream that comes in a pump, and you generally apply the medication directly to the affected area(s) once daily in the evening.
A generic version of Aklief isn’t currently available, and out-of-pocket costs for the medication can reach several hundred dollars per pump, depending on many factors. But you may be able to reduce your costs with a manufacturer savings card or a GoodRx discount.
How much does Aklief cost?
Without insurance or discounts, 1 pump of Aklief 45 g costs an average of $883.69. As of January 2026, the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for 1 pump of Aklief is around $770. The WAC is the price that pharmacies and wholesalers pay the manufacturer before any discounts or rebates are applied.
What you’ll actually pay for your Aklief prescription will depend on several factors, such as:
Location: Prescription medication prices can vary by geographic location. GoodRx research shows that people in cities such as Denver and Atlanta, for example, often pay less for prescription medications than those in New Orleans and Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Pharmacy: Different pharmacies in the same neighborhood may charge different prices for the same medications.
Insurance: If you have insurance, your plan’s deductibles, copays, and coinsurance determine what you’ll pay.
Treatment needs: Treating larger areas, like your back, shoulders, or chest, usually requires more product, so you may use up a pump more quickly than if you’re treating only your face. This can increase your cost over time.
Discounts: Your out-of-pocket costs for Aklief could be reduced if you use a GoodRx discount or the manufacturer copay savings card.
Does insurance cover Aklief?
Insurance coverage for Aklief varies widely by plan type. Nearly all Medicaid plans provide coverage, but prior authorization (preapproval for coverage) is usually required.
Commercial insurance plans cover Aklief for about 8 in 10 enrollees. But only about 1 in 3 people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage. Medicare rarely covers Aklief, with fewer than 1 in 10 enrollees having access to the medication with coverage. Step therapy (trying other acne treatments first) rules also apply for some enrollees of all plan types.
Get more information about your specific coverage and costs by checking your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) or contacting your insurer directly.
How different insurance plans cover Aklief
The following table shows the likelihood of enrollees having coverage — as well as prior authorization and step therapy requirements — for Aklief based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Aklief 0.005% topical cream | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
34.3% | 29.1% | 17.9% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 80.9% | 36% | 12.2% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 7.6% | 7% | 2.7% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 98% | 93.9% | 8.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Here are some options if your insurance doesn’t cover Aklief or your out-of-pocket costs are too high:
Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the manufacturer copay savings card. (See more information below).
Ask your prescriber about other retinoids that may be covered by your plan and could have lower out-of-pocket costs.
Request a formulary exception to get Aklief covered by your plan. This will likely require you to submit a letter of medical necessity and supporting documentation from your prescriber explaining why this medication is needed.
If your insurer denies your exception request, file an appeal to have the decision reconsidered.
Compare health plans during open enrollment, and consider switching to one that covers the medications you need.
Make the most of your health savings account (HSA) funds. Here’s how to use your HSA to help pay for Aklief and other eligible expenses.
Saving money on your prescription costs: These money-saving tips can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Should you use retinol or retinoids? Our experts explain the difference between retinol and retinoids, their uses, and common side effects.
Ways to save on Aklief
Paying for Aklief out of pocket can mean spending hundreds of dollars per pump. But there are ways to lower your out-of-pocket costs. Here are five to consider.
1. See if you qualify for the manufacturer copay savings card
You may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for Aklief through the Galderma CareConnect Patient Savings Card. If you have commercial insurance, your copay could be as low as $20 for one 45 g pump at participating pharmacies.
If you don’t have insurance coverage or are paying entirely out of pocket for the medication, you can still use the CareConnect card, but you’ll pay $90 for the 45 g pump.
To qualify, you must:
Have a valid prescription for Aklief
Have commercial insurance with a copay requirement for the medication, or have no insurance
Not be enrolled in Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, Tricare, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Department of Defense (DoD) benefits, or any other government-run or government-sponsored healthcare program
Be at least 18 years old
Live in the U.S.
The card is valid for up to 15 uses per calendar year, with each 30-day supply counting as one use. Other discounts, coupons, or free trial offers can’t be combined with this program.
2. Save with a GoodRx discount
If you don’t qualify for the manufacturer copay savings card, a free GoodRx discount could help lower the cost of a prescription for one 45 g pump of Aklief to as little as $700.73.
To get the discount:
Visit the GoodRx website or download the app.
Type “Aklief” in the search field, then click on “Find the lowest prices.”
Select your prescribed quantity and input your location to see prices at local pharmacies.
Print your coupon or choose to receive it via text or email. If you’re using the app, keep the coupon ready on your phone or save it to your digital wallet.
To avoid delays, tell the pharmacy staff you’ll be using a GoodRx discount before they process your prescription.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
The cost of Aklief can vary between pharmacies, even ones close to one another. Before picking up your prescription, check prices at a few pharmacies. You can call around to ask or quickly compare prices online at www.goodrx.com to get the best deal.
4. Look into a 90-day supply
Many insurance plans offer reduced copays when you get a 3-month supply of medication instead of filling your prescription monthly. If this applies to your plan, talk to your prescriber about switching to a 90-day supply of Aklief. Many pharmacies also provide discounts for larger quantities, which can be helpful if you’re paying cash.
You may also find better pricing through your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.
5. Use your tax-advantaged health account
Take advantage of the tax-free dollars in your health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to pay for Aklief and other qualifying medical expenses.
Use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy counter, or save your receipts for reimbursement. HSA funds roll over annually and are available for use anytime. But you must use your FSA funds by the end of the plan year or you’ll lose them, unless your employer provides a grace period or allows you to carry over a portion. HRA rollover rules depend on the employer.
The bottom line
One 45 g pump of Aklief (trifarotene) 0.005% costs an average of $883.69 without insurance or discounts. Your location, the pharmacy you choose, and other factors can determine what you actually pay.
You may be able to pay as low as $20 for Aklief using the manufacturer copay savings card if you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements. If you’re uninsured and qualify, the same savings card can bring your cost down to as low as $90.
Other ways to save on Aklief include using a GoodRx discount, comparing pharmacy prices, and using funds from a tax-advantaged account.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of December 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Galderma Laboratories. (n.d.). Galderma CareConnect.
Galderma Laboratories. (2023). Galderma CareConnect terms and conditions.
Galderma Laboratories. (2025). Wholesale acquisition cost of prescription drugs for Connecticut prescribers: Aklief (trifarotene) cream, 0.005%.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Internal appeals.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
