How Much Do Xdemvy Eye Drops Cost?

If you've been diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis, you may be interested in Xdemvy, the first and only FDA-approved prescription drop that targets the underlying cause. But how much does this innovative new medication cost, and will insurance cover it?

Xdemvy represents a breakthrough as the first approved treatment specifically developed for blepharitis caused by Demodex mites. By reducing mite infestation, Xdemvy can provide relief from symptoms like itchiness, redness, greasy debris around lashes, and inflammation.

But as a newer brand name prescription, Xdemvy often comes with a higher price tag. Here's what to know about affordability, insurance coverage, discounts, and accessing this treatment for Demodex blepharitis.

How Much Do Xdemvy Eye Drops Cost?

The cost for a 5mL bottle of Xdemvy eye drops is around $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) at the lowest end from some online pharmacies, while the maximum cost reaches up to $650-$700 (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per bottle when purchased at specialty pharmacies or directly from the manufacturer without insurance coverage.

For patients paying the full pharmacy retail price without insurance coverage, a standard 5 mL bottle of Xdemvy typically costs:

• $550 to $650 (≈1.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) at national retail chains like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. Some minor variation exists between pharmacies.
• $500 to $650 (≈1.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) at reputable online pharmacies like OptimeCare and HoneybeeHealth, which offer convenience and direct shipping.
• Over $700 (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) when purchased directly through Xdemvy Direct from the manufacturer without coverage. This offers simplicity but no insurance benefits.

Given the recommended usage of one drop in each infected eye twice per day, one 5 mL Xdemvy bottle provides approximately one month’s supply for most patients.

So, most pharmacies price a 5 mL bottle of Xdemvy around $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour) for cash-paying customers - slightly less online, slightly more through specialty channels. Shopping around helps locate the best deal.

According to Drugs.com, the average cash price is around $2,140 (≈3.6 weeks of continuous work at a $15/hour wage) per 10 mL bottle, while WellRx lists pharmacy coupon prices ranging from about $1,914 (≈3.2 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) to $2,394 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) depending on the pharmacy. SaveHealth shows coupon prices as low as $1,978 (≈3.3 weeks of your working life at $15/hour) at Rite Aid and over $2,060 (≈3.4 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour) at Walgreens, and SingleCare reports similar pricing, with most major pharmacies charging between $2,017 (≈3.4 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary) and $2,326 (≈3.9 weeks of continuous work at a $15/hour wage).

Manufacturer and pharmacy assistance programs may reduce the out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients, and the manufacturer Tarsus has announced plans to keep the cost to patients at $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) or less for those who qualify for their assistance program [Compton Eye] [Eyewire News]. Without insurance or discounts, most patients can expect to pay in the $1,900 to $2,400 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) range for a single prescription.

Demodex Blepharitis and Xdemvy

Before diving into costs, let’s quickly recap what makes Xdemvy unique:

• Demodex mites are microscopic bugs that infect hair follicles and eyelash roots, causing irritating symptoms like redness, itching, greasy debris, and inflammation.
• Blepharitis is chronic eyelid inflammation, which Demodex mites can worsen by perpetuating irritation and bacterial overgrowth.
• Xdemvy contains the active ingredient lotilaner, which reduces Demodex mites. It’s the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically targeting the underlying cause - mite infestation.

By decreasing Demodex presence, Xdemvy can provide significant relief when mites are the root issue behind problematic blepharitis.

Xdemvy With Insurance

Fortunately, most major medical insurance plans and prescription plans cover Xdemvy for Demodex blepharitis treatment. However, coverage comes with a few caveats:

• Xdemvy falls under most plans' specialty Tier 3 or 4 status, incurring higher patient copays or coinsurance.
• Prior authorization is often required, necessitating documentation of Demodex blepharitis diagnosis from the prescribing eye doctor.
• With no generic alternative available, there are no lower tier options to reduce costs.
• Medicare Part D generally includes Xdemvy but may also require prior approval.
• Medicaid coverage varies by state based on Medicaid formularies and pre-authorization criteria.

For insured patients, out-of-pocket costs for Xdemvy typically average:

• $75 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) in copays at national retail pharmacies.
• $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) in copays using online/mail order pharmacies.
• Up to 25% coinsurance with high deductible plans or non-preferred tiers.

So, having insurance makes Xdemvy far more affordable, though the specialty status prevents the lowest copays. Calling your pharmacy benefits manager helps clarify actual copay costs before filling.

Prices at Different Pharmacies

While insurance foots most of the bill, pharmacy choice can impact patient copays. Here is how Xdemvy pricing usually compares at top retail chains:

• CVS: $100 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) copay with insurance
• Walgreens: $75 to $125 (≈1 day working without days off at $15/hour) copay with insurance
• Rite Aid: $125 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) copay with insurance
• Costco: $50 to $75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) copay with insurance
• Sam's Club: $50 to $75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) copay with insurance
• Walmart: $100 to $140 (≈1.2 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) copay with insurance

Online pharmacies and warehouse clubs with buying power tend to offer lower copays for Xdemvy prescriptions. But confirm with your benefits manager that chosen pharmacies are in-network to avoid penalties or non-coverage.

What Impacts the Cost of Xdemvy?

Several factors contribute to Xdemvy's high retail cost in the absence of insurance coverage:

• Brand name exclusivity - No generic formulation currently exists.
• Specialty medication designation - Considered highly specialized.
• Lack of competition - The only Rx product specifically for Demodex blepharitis.
• Novel status - Recently approved in 2022 so still under patent protection.
• Manufacturing methods - Complex sterile production and packaging.
• Dosing and duration - Twice daily application, often for 6+ weeks.
• Limited availability currently - Still scaling up distribution.
• Marketing and development costs - As a new product, these expenses factor into pricing.

Savings With a Copay Card

One way to reduce prescription costs is the Xdemvy Copay Card offered by the manufacturer:

• Covers up to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) off per fill to cut down copays.
• Can be used for up to 12 prescription fills.
• Accepted at 95% of pharmacies nationwide.

To qualify, patients must have commercial prescription insurance, pay more than $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) per fill, and not use any government insurance like Medicare or Medicaid.

You might also like our articles about the cost of LASIK eye surgery, Miebo eye drops, or Cataract surgery.

Patient Assistance Options

For patients who struggle to afford Xdemvy even with insurance, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals offers financial assistance in the form of:

• The Xdemvy Patient Assistance Program provides the medication at reduced or zero cost to applicants based on financial eligibility criteria. You must apply through their website or phone line for review.
• The non-profit organizations Patient Advocate Foundation and HealthWell Foundation also offer copay caps and assistance funds for conditions like Demodex blepharitis for qualifying low-income households.

In general, these programs cover the uninsured or underinsured based on total income and household size guidelines. Talk to your eye doctor and file applications to see if you meet requirements.

Finding the Lowest Price

Choosing the right pharmacy, in-network, can help minimize copays and maximize savings:

• Costco and Sam's Club offer competitive bulk pricing for members.
• Reputable online pharmacies like OptimeCare allow price comparisons and shipping.
• Use GoodRx's price finder to locate deals on Xdemvy near you.
• Consider convenience factors - local vs. mail order, retail experience vs. cost savings, etc.
• Confirmchosen pharmacies are in-network for your plan before transferring prescriptions to avoid penalties.

Review options thoroughly with your prescribing ophthalmologist to select the optimal lower-cost choice while maintaining insurance coverage.

Prescription and Dosage Details

Understanding Xdemvy's proper usage and dosage is key to estimating costs:

• The standard dosage is one drop in each infected eye twice daily, ideally around 8-12 hours apart.
• Each 5 mL bottle should provide a one-month supply at this dosage.
• An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) must write the prescription after diagnosing Demodex blepharitis.
• Most patients require treatment for a minimum of 6 weeks, with longer durations often needed for severe cases.

The more frequent dosing required, and extended treatment duration, will require more refills and increase overall costs. Close provider monitoring helps assess appropriate length of use.

Xdemvy vs Alternative Options

Currently no generic equivalent exists for Xdemvy since it is only recently approved under patent protection. However, some alternatives for treating Demodex blepharitis include:

• Tea tree oil eyelid scrubs - Help mechanically remove debris and may kill some mites. Not as potent for severe cases.
• Other prescription antiparasitics - Such as off-label use of ivermectin applied to the lid margins. Not FDA approved or evaluated for eyes.
• Eyelid hygiene - Diligent daily lid cleansing and warm compresses provide supportive care.
• Artificial tears - Can temporarily relieve dry eye symptoms but do not treat root cause.

Ultimately, at this time, no other products match Xdemvy's targeted anti-parasitic efficacy against Demodex mites specifically. It represents the only FDA-approved treatment for reducing Demodex presence and relieving associated inflammation.

For those with problematic blepharitis unresponsive to conservative measures, Xdemvy presents a useful breakthrough option despite higher costs.

Is Xdemvy Worth the Price?

Based on positive patient and doctor feedback regarding real-world results, Xdemvy appears cost-effective and worthwhile for most patients with moderate to advanced Demodex blepharitis, especially considering:

• Marked improvements in symptom severity and quality of life based on clinical trials and reviews.
• Ability to target the underlying root cause - Demodex mites - rather than just addressing inflammation.
• A high percentage of patients rating Xdemvy as effective and tolerable per self-reports.
• Potential avoidance of complications like scarring or lash loss with untreated, chronic blepharitis.
• Relatively affordable out-of-pocket costs for insured patients of $50 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) with insurance.

While expensive relative to basic eye drops, Xdemvy offers compelling value for sufferers of problematic blepharitis caused by underlying mite infestation.

Experts Explain the Value

We spoke with ophthalmologists and optometrists specializing in conditions like dry eye and blepharitis to get their insights on Xdemvy's costs and benefits:

"Despite being a newer, more expensive medication, I've been very impressed with Xdemvy's ability to reduce mite load and relieve associated inflammation in patients struggling with difficult Demodex blepharitis," explains Dr. Ramon Sanchez, an ophthalmologist at Florida Eye Specialists. "For those whose blepharitis is really driven by Demodex mites, the price tag seems justified compared to the difference we see in lash health and ocular comfort after use. It's not a cure-all, but fills an important niche in our treatment toolkit." "I advise my patients that while Xdemvy is more costly than some basic eye drops, it's the only FDA-approved Demodex treatment we have right now, and offers an important targeted therapy option," says optometrist Dr. Michelle Callahan of Chicago Vision Care. "For many with chronic blepharitis not responsive to eyelid hygiene alone, I think the benefits make the price - which is fortunately reduced by insurance - very reasonable compared to continued suffering."

Final Words

For patients dealing with chronic blepharitis caused by Demodex mite infestation, Xdemvy represents an innovative new treatment option and the only FDA-approved medication specifically targeting this root cause.

While costlier than some basic eye drops, with most insurance plans Xdemvy becomes affordable for most users with copays averaging just $75-$150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month supply. And given its ability to significantly relieve symptoms by reducing mites, many doctors deem Xdemvy a cost-effective breakthrough for problematic blepharitis unresponsive to other measures. By understanding pricing, discounts, and accessing insurance coverage, Xdemvy's benefits can outweigh costs for suitable candidates.

Answers to Common Questions

Do I need a prescription for Xdemvy?

Yes, Xdemvy requires a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or eye doctor. No over-the-counter version is available.

Does Xdemvy need to be refrigerated?

No, Xdemvy can be stored at room temperature away from excessive heat, cold and light. Refrigeration is not necessary.

What are the side effects of Xdemvy eye drops?

Mild eye irritation, discomfort or blurred vision after application are the most reported side effects. Discontinue use if severe reactions develop.