Imatinib

Introduction

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on January 10, 2024

Gleevec is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for certain types of blood cancer. Gleevec is available as the generic version imatinib mesylate. The cost of Gleevec with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Gleevec to treat types of blood cancers such as leukemia in adults and certain children.

It is also approved to treat a type of gastrointestinal cancer and a type of skin cancer in adults. Gleevec may be used alone or with other medications for these uses.

Read on to learn about Gleevec and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Gleevec, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

Cost of Gleevec

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• your treatment plan

To find out how much Gleevec 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 Gleevec” section.

Coupons for Gleevec

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Gleevec. 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 Gleevec

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 Gleevec. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Gleevec. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Gleevec 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

Gleevec is a brand-name medication. It’s available as the generic version imatinib mesylate.

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.

If your doctor has prescribed Gleevec, but you’re interested in taking imatinib mesylate, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of Gleevec compares with its generic version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about Gleevec and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Gleevec.

Is Gleevec covered by Medicare?

Sometimes. There are many types of Medicare plans with various benefits. Your cost and coverage may depend on your specific plan. Reach out to your Medicare plan provider to find out if Gleevec is covered and what you can expect to pay.

Keep in mind, your Medicare plan may have prior authorization requirements before it covers Gleevec. Your doctor can provide more information.

Why are costs 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 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. 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.)

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.

What to ask about Gleevec

This article provides cost information related to Gleevec. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Gleevec.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• How does the cost of generic Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) compare with the brand-name drug?
• Can I use a coupon to save on the cost of Gleevec if I have Medicare?
• Does the cost of Gleevec depend on my dosage?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) tablets for oral use. (2022). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/021588s062lbl.pdf
• Imatinib mesylate oral tablet. (2018). rsc.niaid.nih.gov/sites/default/files/package-insert-imatinib-nov2018.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.