Methotrexate and cost: Generics, brand names, and more - Medical News Today

Methotrexate is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat numerous conditions, including:

For more information about methotrexate's uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details on methotrexate:

• Drug class: antimetabolite
• Drug forms:
  • powder that's mixed with liquid to form a solution, given by intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection, or injection into a joint or into the spine
  • oral solution
  • oral tablet
• Brand-name versions:

Read on to learn about methotrexate and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of methotrexate can vary. Factors that may affect the price you'll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on the cost of visits to your healthcare facility to receive doses of methotrexate.

In addition, you may need to purchase needles and syringes, or an auto-injector pen, to use some forms of methotrexate.

To find out what the cost of methotrexate may be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and methotrexate.

What's the price of methotrexate 2.5 mg?

It depends. Factors that may affect the price you'll pay for 2.5 milligram (mg) doses of methotrexate include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

Your pharmacist may be able to help determine how much methotrexate 2.5 mg costs compared with other strengths and forms of the drug. They'll use factors such as your insurance information and treatment plan to determine the price of methotrexate.

How does methotrexate's cost differ with or without insurance? What might the drug cost per month?

With or without insurance, the cost of methotrexate can vary. In general, drug costs are usually higher without insurance.

If you have questions about how much methotrexate may cost, including its cost per month, talk with your pharmacist. Using your treatment plan and insurance information, they can help determine the cost you'll pay for the drug.

What's the cost of injectable methotrexate, compared with oral methotrexate?

Methotrexate shots may have different costs than methotrexate that's taken orally (by mouth). Your insurance coverage and which pharmacy you use can also affect the drug's cost.

Your pharmacist may be able to help determine the cost you'll pay for injectable methotrexate compared with oral methotrexate.

I'm using methotrexate to treat psoriasis. How much might the drug cost?

It depends. Your treatment plan can affect how much methotrexate will cost for you, as can your insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how much methotrexate may cost for you, talk with your pharmacist. Using your treatment plan and insurance information, they can help determine the cost you may pay for methotrexate.

What's the cost of leflunomide vs. methotrexate?

The costs of leflunomide and methotrexate can vary. Factors that may affect the price you'll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and which pharmacy you use.

Your pharmacist can help compare the costs of leflunomide and methotrexate.

Methotrexate is available as several different brand-name drugs:

Otrexup and Rasuvo each come as a solution in an auto-injector pen. But these drugs are only available as brand-name products. So, there's no generic methotrexate injection pen currently available.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of a brand name drug containing methotrexate compares with the cost of generic methotrexate, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed methotrexate and you're interested in using a brand-name drug containing methotrexate instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You'll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

Keep reading for information on some ways to reduce long-term drug costs with methotrexate treatment.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of methotrexate. 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 or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Methotrexate 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 methotrexate, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details on drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you've learned about cost and methotrexate, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and methotrexate. But if you have health insurance, you'll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for methotrexate.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.