How Much Is Austedo Without Insurance?

Generic availability

Austedo and Austedo XR are only available as brand-name medications. There are no generic versions yet, which contributes to their high cost.

Dosage and quantity

Your prescribed dosage plays a role in your total cost. Higher doses, especially those requiring more tablets per month, typically cost more than lower doses. In some cases, filling a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply can help reduce your overall costs.

Pharmacy

Austedo and Austedo XR are specialty medications. This means they’re typically filled through specialty pharmacies, rather than standard retail pharmacies. Because of this, you may have limited options for where you can fill your prescription. This can affect how much you pay because pharmacies determine their own pricing for medications.

Insurance coverage

If you have insurance, what you pay will depend on your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications), your deductible, and your copay or coinsurance. Some plans may require you to get prior authorization or do step therapy (try other medications first) before covering Austedo.

1. See if you qualify for a copay savings card

Austedo’s manufacturer offers a copay savings card for eligible people with commercial insurance that covers the medication. You could pay as little as $0 per fill with this card. To qualify, you must:

• Have commercial insurance that covers Austedo or Austedo XR

• Be a resident of the U.S. or a U.S. territory

• Have a valid prescription for Austedo or Austedo XR

Enroll online for the card, then provide the information to your specialty pharmacy. Call 1-844-308-5110 if you have questions about the card or your eligibility.

People who are uninsured, have commercial insurance that doesn’t cover Austedo, or have government-funded insurance (such as Medicare or Medicaid) are not eligible for the card.

2. Check if you’re eligible for a patient assistance program

Austedo’s manufacturer also offers a patient assistance program that provides the medication free of charge to eligible people. To qualify, you must:

• Currently live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory

• Meet income requirements

• Have a valid prescription for Austedo or Austedo XR

• Be uninsured or have insurance that doesn’t cover Austedo or Austedo XR

• Not be receiving funds from low-income subsidy programs, such as the Medicare Extra Help program

You and your prescriber will need to complete the application for the program together. You can apply online or download an application to be sent by mail or fax. You can also request an application over the phone by calling 1-877-237-4881.

3. Redeem a free trial voucher

If you’re new to Austedo or Austedo XR, you may qualify for a free 30-day trial of the medication, regardless of insurance status. The voucher is available to residents of the U.S. or Puerto Rico. 

To access the free trial, provide the voucher information to your specialty pharmacy. Call 1-844-308-5110 if you have questions or need assistance.

4. Ask about 90-day supplies

If Austedo or Austedo XR is working well and you’ve been taking a consistent dose, you may want to consider getting 90-day supplies instead of monthly fills. This can reduce the number of copays you have and help you save on out-of-pocket costs. Ask your pharmacy or insurance plan if this is an option for you.

5. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA

You can use funds from a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to help pay for Austedo with pretax dollars. Just keep your receipts in case you need to show documentation of eligible expenses.

Also, remember that there are specific rules for the different types of accounts. For example, FSA funds generally must be spent by the end of the plan year. HSA funds roll over each year, so you can save them for eligible medical expenses whenever needed.

6. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost alternatives

If Austedo still isn’t affordable, you can ask your prescriber whether a different medication may be an option. Two medications used to treat similar health conditions are Xenazine (tetrabenazine) and Ingrezza (valbenazine).

Xenazine is an older medication and is available as a lower-cost generic, which may make it a more affordable option. However, it’s typically taken more frequently and may have a different side effect profile than Austedo. And unlike Austedo, it’s not approved for tardive dyskinesia.

Ingrezza is a newer, brand-name option that’s often taken once daily. If you have difficulty swallowing the regular form, it also comes in a capsule that can be opened and sprinkled on food. Ingrezza can still be expensive without insurance. But it may be covered by plans that don’t cover Austedo or have its own savings programs.

Your prescriber can help you compare options based on your health condition, treatment goals, and budget.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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