The price you pay for Xyrem may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use. Financial assistance may be available to help you with the cost of Xyrem.

Xyrem is used in adults and certain children with narcolepsy to treat:

Several factors can affect the price you’ll pay for Xyrem. These include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • available financial assistance for Xyrem (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

To find out your cost for Xyrem, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Xyrem only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication and tends to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Xyrem long term, you may be able to lower your costs in certain situations. Xyrem is only available through a certified specialty pharmacy. Check with your insurance provider or the specialty pharmacy whether you can get Xyrem in the following ways.

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Xyrem if approved by your insurance company. If you’re eligible for getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, certified specialty pharmacy, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order certified specialty pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order specialty pharmacy might help lower your cost for Xyrem. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order through a certified specialty pharmacy. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or the certified specialty pharmacy.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the cost of Xyrem.

How does the cost of Xyrem compare with other similar drugs, such as Xywav?

The cost of Xyrem compared with other drugs, such as Xywav, depends on several factors. These include:

  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • whether you qualify for any savings programs
  • the specialty pharmacy you use
  • your health insurance plan (if you have one)

To find out whether there’s a cost difference between Xyrem and Xywav, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can determine what your cost will be for each of these drugs.

Is there a patient assistance program available for Xyrem?

Yes. The manufacturer of Xyrem (Jazz Pharmaceuticals) has a financial support program that can help. You can learn more about the program on their website or by calling 1-866-997-3688.

For more information about this and other support programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

If you need help covering the cost of Xyrem or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have additional questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your pharmacist or insurance company.

You may want to consider the following information if you have insurance and take Xyrem.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Xyrem. This means the company and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether Xyrem 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 Xyrem requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.