Cosentyx is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain autoimmune conditions.

Specifically, Cosentyx is used to treat the following conditions:

Cosentyx contains the active ingredient secukinumab, which is a biologic drug. It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.

For more information about Cosentyx’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about Cosentyx, which is a biologic:

How it’s given: subcutaneous injection in the following forms:

  • powder in a single-use vial
  • liquid solution in a single-use prefilled syringe
  • liquid solution in a single-use Sensoready pen

Biosimilar version: not available

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

As with all medications, the price of Cosentyx injections can vary. The price of Cosentyx from Novartis, the drug’s manufacturer, also depends on whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket.

Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • the condition Cosentyx is being used to treat
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • if you need to visit your healthcare professional to receive doses of Cosentyx
  • whether Cosentyx has a savings program through its manufacturer Novartis (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

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

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Cosentyx. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Cosentyx 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 Cosentyx requires prior authorization.

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

How can I determine Cosentyx’s cost per dose, month, and year?

The cost of Cosentyx per dose, the monthly cost, and the annual (yearly) cost depend on several factors. For example, if you have insurance coverage, it can depend on if you have a set copay (your share of the cost) for brand-name medications or have to pay a percentage of the cost of the drug. The cost can also depend on the days’ supply of Cosentyx (30 days versus 90 days).

Other factors affecting cost may include:

  • the condition Cosentyx is being used to treat
  • your age
  • your body weight
  • your insurance coverage

If you don’t have insurance coverage, your cost of Cosentyx can also depend on the pharmacy you use.

To find out the cost you’ll likely pay for Cosentyx, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

What’s the cost of Cosentyx with and without insurance coverage?

The cost of Cosentyx may vary depending on whether or not you have insurance.

If you have health insurance, the cost of Cosentyx may vary based on your individual plan. Your cost with insurance can depend on your plan benefits, such as whether you have a set copay or have to pay a percent of the total cost of Cosentyx. It can also depend on the days’ supply (30 days versus 90 days) of the drug you receive.

The cost of Cosentyx without insurance is based on factors such as the pharmacy you use, the condition Cosentyx is being used to treat, the days’ supply you receive, and your dosage. The cost may also depend on if there are Cosentyx savings programs available.

To find out the price of Cosentyx with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Are the prices of the 150-mg and 300-mg doses of Cosentyx the same?

It depends. The cost of Cosentyx 150 milligrams (mg) versus 300 mg can depend on your insurance plan or if you’re paying out of pocket. If you have a set copay with insurance, your cost may be the same regardless of the dose of Cosentyx.

However, if you’re paying out of pocket, your price may be different for the two strengths based on the pharmacy you use, your dosage, and days’ supply of Cosentyx.

Do Cosentyx injections cost more when they’re prescribed for psoriasis?

Not necessarily. The cost of Cosentyx for psoriasis can vary based on your age, body weight, and insurance. The cost of Cosentyx is not based on your condition.

The cost of Cosentyx may depend on your dosage and days’ supply of the drug. It also can depend on if you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance coverage.

If you have questions about the cost of Cosentyx for psoriasis, talk with your doctor. They can discuss cost options based on your individual factors.

Cosentyx contains the active ingredient secukinumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

Why are costs different for biologic drugs vs. biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Cosentyx long term, you may be able to get help with its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Cosentyx. 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

Cosentyx 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 Cosentyx, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called Cosentyx Connect is available for Cosentyx. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-267-3689 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.

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

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.