How to Save on Biologics for Asthma: Dupixent, Nucala, Xolair, and More
Key takeaways:
Asthma biologics — such as Dupixent (dupilumab), Nucala (mepolizumab), and Xolair (omalizumab) — are add-on medications for difficult-to-treat cases of asthma. Most are injected under the skin, but one is infused into a vein.
If you don’t have insurance or your copay is too high, there are other ways to save. Manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and GoodRx coupons can all reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Navigating coverage hurdles can be challenging. Working closely with your prescriber and specialty pharmacy can help you unlock the support and savings programs you need.
Table of contents
Receiving a prescription for an asthma biologic can feel like a big step forward. These complex medications, made from living sources, are known to help improve breathing and enhance quality of life. They’re add-on treatments that are typically used alongside asthma inhalers for more severe cases of the condition.
For some people, though, the first question is a practical one: How much is this going to cost me? That’s a valid concern — and a common one.
The good news is that financial help is available. There are several ways to make these treatments more affordable. With the right support, accessing your biologic for asthma may be more feasible than you’d expect.
How to save on biologics for asthma
If you're prescribed a biologic for asthma, the ideal way to save is by using your health insurance. This is the case whether you have commercial (private) insurance, Medicare, or another plan. Asthma biologics are typically dispensed through specialty pharmacies, and the pharmacy staff will try to secure coverage through your insurance on your behalf.
Insurance doesn’t always mean low out-of-pocket costs, though. Your plan might not cover your preferred medication, you may be waiting on a prior authorization, or you may not have insurance at all. In cases like these, there are other ways to save:
Manufacturer copay cards, which are generally an option for those with commercial insurance
Patient assistance programs (PAPs), which provide medications at no cost for people who are uninsured or underinsured — and meet eligibility requirements
GoodRx coupons, which are accessible no matter your insurance situation
Asthma inhaler savings: Inhalers are some of the most common medications for asthma. Dive into this overview of how you can save on these respiratory treatments.
A comprehensive approach: Medications are beneficial for managing asthma, but they’re not your only option. Learn about home remedies and lifestyle adjustments that can also make a positive difference.
Why are my lungs like this? There may be more than one answer to why you have asthma. Here’s how your genes and surrounding environment can each play a role.
Knowing how to navigate these savings options is a good skill to have. Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, spoke with GoodRx Health about the cost barrier that’s sometimes faced with asthma biologics.
“Research conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) tells us the cost of treatment is the primary barrier to starting or continuing asthma treatment,” Mendez said. “Biologics may be more expensive than other medicines. Many insurance companies will pay for part of the cost of a biologic, but the remaining cost is the patient’s responsibility.”
Are asthma biologics cost-effective?
It depends. Biologics help reduce asthma flare-ups and improve daily life for people with difficult-to-treat asthma. But they can also be harder to access than inhalers.
For some people, biologics may not be worth the cost. For others, they are. It often comes down to the savings programs you qualify for and how asthma affects your overall healthcare costs.
Mendez offered more context about the indirect costs associated with asthma treatment.
“When asthma is well-controlled, that means emergency department visits, hospital stays, and missed work due to asthma are less likely,” he said. “The average cost of an emergency room visit ranges from $400 to $2,500, depending on whether or not a person is insured. The total economic burden of asthma, including medical costs and missed days of work, exceeds $115 billion per year.”
He went on to clarify that asthma treatments only work if they’re used as directed. If biologics or other asthma treatments are priced out of reach, they won’t help the people who may benefit.
Here’s an overview of how you can save on different types of asthma biologics.
Interleukin antagonists such as Dupixent
Interleukin antagonists are one group of biologic medications. They can treat asthma by blocking specific interleukins (proteins) that contribute to inflammation in the airways — mainly IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13.
Nucala (mepolizumab), Fasenra (benralizumab), and Cinqair (reslizumab) all block IL-5. Nucala and Cinqair block IL-5 directly, while Fasenra binds to IL-5 receptors (chemical binding sites) on eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. They all improve breathing by lessening inflammation caused by eosinophils. Dupixent (dupilumab) offers a similar effect by blocking IL-4 and IL-13.
These medications are used in combination with other medications when your asthma isn’t well managed. In particular, they’re used for severe asthma that’s connected to high eosinophil levels. Here are some ways to defray the cost of these add-on treatments.
Medication | Typical asthma dosage | How to save |
Dupixent | Subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection given once every 2-4 weeks in people ages 6 years and older | As low as $0 per fill with a manufacturer copay card Up to 40% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies with GoodRx |
Nucala | Under-the-skin injection given once every 4 weeks in people ages 6 and older | As low as $0 per fill with a manufacturer copay card |
Fasenra | Under-the-skin injection given once every 4-8 weeks in people ages 6 and older | As low as $0 per month with a manufacturer copay card |
Cinqair | Intravenous (IV) infusion given every 4 weeks in people ages 18 and older — only administered in a clinic setting | As low as $0 per dose with a manufacturer copay card, including administration fees |
Xolair
Xolair (omalizumab) was the first approved biologic for asthma. It works by blocking immunoglobulin E, an antibody involved in allergic responses in the lungs. Xolair treats allergic asthma in people ages 6 and older, and it comes as an under-the-skin injection given every 2 to 4 weeks.
Xolair is available as a reference (“brand-name”) medication. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.
Save with a manufacturer copay card: If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Xolair’s price is as little as $0 per dose if you use a copay savings card.
Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Xolair’s PAP, which offers the medication free of charge.
A biosimilar to Xolair, called Omlyclo (omalizumab-igec), has also been approved. A biosimilar is a medication that's highly similar to another biologic, and it’s often more affordable. But due to patent restrictions, Omlyclo likely won’t be available in the U.S. until at least September 2026.
Tezspire
Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) is an asthma biologic that works a bit differently than the rest. It relieves airway inflammation by blocking a protein called thymic stromal lymphopoietin.
One of Tezspire’s perks is that it can treat different forms of severe asthma — regardless of whether they’re allergic or eosinophilic. This under-the-skin injection is approved for people ages 12 and older. It’s given once every 4 weeks.
Tezspire comes as a reference product, and there are a few ways to save.
Save with a manufacturer copay card: If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Tezspire’s price is as little as $0 per treatment if you use a copay savings card.
Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Tezspire’s PAP, which offers the medication at no charge.
Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save up to 30% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
How to advocate for better asthma biologic access
If your asthma specialist recommended a biologic but it feels out of reach — due to cost, insurance issues, or other barriers — you’re not alone. Coverage constraints can sometimes make asthma biologics difficult to access.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to advocate for yourself or someone you care about.
Consumers: Speak up, and ask questions
Start by having an open conversation with your asthma specialist or pharmacist. Let them know if cost is a concern or if you’re struggling to get your medication covered. They can help you explore other options — such as prior authorizations, appeals, or manufacturer-sponsored savings programs.
You can also ask about alternatives. In some cases, another medication might be more affordable or easier to obtain.
“People living with asthma and allergies can and should [also] ask policymakers to convene key stakeholders — drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies, and employers — and work toward patient-first solutions to make asthma medicines accessible and affordable for all,” Mendez said.
Pharmacists: Be proactive with support
Pharmacists are often the first to spot access issues. If a biologic prescription is delayed or denied, it helps to flag this early to the prescriber.
Pharmacists can also assist people with asthma by helping them enroll in savings programs, clarifying insurance requirements, and tracking down formulary alternatives.
Prescribers: Document the need clearly
Getting a biologic covered by insurance often requires clear documentation by the prescriber. Be sure to include clinical justification for the biologic, such as asthma severity, previous treatment failures, or exacerbation history. Paperwork should be submitted completely and on time.
Mendez also noted that prescribers can assist their patients with formulary exceptions. So if coverage is denied, don't hesitate to file an appeal or request a peer-to-peer review. In some cases, persistence pays off.
The bottom line
Asthma biologics are add-on medications for people with difficult-to-treat asthma. But they can come with cost barriers and aren’t always easy to access. The good news is that there are several ways to save on biologics for asthma, including manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and GoodRx discounts.
Talk to your healthcare team, especially your prescriber and specialty pharmacy, if you’re facing access issues. With the right support, getting the treatment you need may be easier than you think.
Why trust our experts?
References
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (n.d.). Biologics for the treatment of asthma.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (n.d.). My life with asthma.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Fasenra- benralizumab injection, solution [package insert].
Bagnasco, D., et al. (2024). Thymic stromal lymphopoietin and tezepelumab in airway diseases: From physiological role to target therapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Celltrion. (2025). U.S. FDA approves Celltrion's Omlyclo (omalizumab-igec) as the first and only biosimilar with interchangeability designation referencing Xolair.
Genentech. (2024). Xolair- omalizumab injection, solution [package insert].
GlaxoSmithKline. (2025). Nucala- mepolizumab injection, powder, for solution [package insert].
Global Initiative for Asthma. (2025). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Interleukin. National Institutes of Health.
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. (2025). Dupixent- dupilumab injection, solution [package insert].
Teva Respiratory. (2020). Cinqair- reslizumab injection, solution, concentrate [package insert].
The Medical Letter. (2025). In brief: Omlyclo — an omalizumab biosimilar interchangeable with Xolair.
