Winlevi

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Paul Hetrick, PharmD
Updated on June 11, 2024

Winlevi is a brand-name topical cream that’s prescribed for acne in adults and some children. Winlevi is not available in a generic version. The cost of Winlevi with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

Read on to learn about Winlevi topical cream and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Winlevi, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

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Cost of Winlevi

Like other medications, the cost of Winlevi can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use 
• the quantity/amount prescribed

To find out how much Winlevi costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Winlevi” section.

Coupons for Winlevi

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Winlevi. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Winlevi

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Winlevi. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Winlevi. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using Winlevi topical cream long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Winlevi is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) 

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about Winlevi and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Winlevi topical cream.

How much will my Winlevi prescription cost?

The amount you’ll pay for Winlevi depends on multiple factors. This includes whether you have insurance, whether Winlevi is covered by your insurance, the pharmacy you use, and whether you get a 90-day supply of the topical cream.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for Winlevi, contact your insurance provider or pharmacy. You can also visit the Winlevi manufacturer’s website for additional cost support options.

Is Winlevi covered by Medicare?

Drug coverage depends on your Medicare drug plan. Each Medicare plan has its own drug list called a formulary. If Winlevi topical cream is not on your plan’s drug list, a different medication may be available to treat your acne condition. 

If your drug plan does cover Winlevi, the cost may differ based on your Medicare plan and whether you have paid your deductible for the year. Other factors that may affect your cost include which pharmacy you use and whether you get a 90-day supply.

If you’d like to know more about whether Winlevi is covered by Medicare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare plan representative. 

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Winlevi (clascoterone) cream, for topical use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/213433Orig1s002lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.