The cost of antiretroviral drugs for HIV can be expensive. You may be able to save money by using generic or name-brand drugs, using prescription insurance, or participating in an assistance program.
The first cases of what became known as HIV and stage 3 HIV were diagnosed in the 1980s, but effective treatments took several more decades to develop.
Today, a cure for HIV does not yet exist, but treatments can extend the lives of those with the virus and help prevent its transmission. Many of the antiretroviral therapies currently available work effectively to help slow disease progression caused by HIV. Additionally, a person with HIV who maintains an undetectable viral load has zero risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners.
However, all treatments have costs, and some are higher than others. Let’s explore the average costs of HIV treatment and potential ways to save money.
The table in this section features average estimated costs for brand-name and generic medications. This is not a comprehensive list of HIV medications, and you can talk with a pharmacist to find out the cost of any medication that isn’t included.
These amounts are a snapshot of costs from one day in time, so they’re just a rough estimate. They can provide a general idea about drug costs, but keep in mind that several factors can make these medications less expensive.
It’s also important to remember that when new drugs reach the market, they’re usually expensive. However, older drugs may become more affordable.
The prices listed do not take into account any expense covered by health insurance, prescription drug insurance, or government assistance.
These costs are averages based on information from several websites, including the Department of Health and Human Services and GoodRx.
To find the exact cost for drugs prescribed by your healthcare team, contact a local pharmacy.
| Drug name (brand name) | Cost of brand name | Generic available | Number of tablets or capsules | Strength (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| etravirine (Intelence) | $1,469 | yes | 60 | 200 |
| efavirenz | $80-894 | yes | 30 | 600 |
| nevirapine | $10-$45 | yes | 60 | 200 |
| rilpivirine (Edurant) | $1,483 | no | 30 | 25 |
| lamivudine/zidovudine | $125 to $578 | yes | 60 | 150/300 |
| emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) | $1,842 | yes | 30 | 200/300 |
| emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (Descovy) | $2,202 | no | 30 | 25/200 |
| abacavir | $100 to $150 | yes | 60 | 300 |
| emtricitabine (Emtriva) | $537 | yes | 30 | 200 |
| tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Vemlidy) | $1,476 | no | 30 | 25 |
| tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) | $1,254 | yes | 30 | 300 |
| fosamprenavir (Lexiva) | $743 | yes | 30 | 700 |
| ritonavir (Norvir) | $257 | yes | 30 | 100 |
| darunavir ethanolate (Prezista) | $2,158 | yes | 30 | 800 |
| darunavir/cobicistat (Prezcobix) | $2,467 | no | 30 | 800/150 |
| atazanavir (Reyataz) | $1,449 | yes | 30 | 300 |
| atazanavir/cobicistat (Evotaz) | $1,605 | no | 30 | 300/150 |
| raltegravir (Isentress) | $1,997 | no | 60 | 400 |
| dolutegravir (Tivicay) | $2,257 | no | 30 | 50 |
| maraviroc (Selzentry) | $1,730 | yes | 60 | 300 |
| enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) | $3,586 | no | 60 vials | 90 |
| abacavir/lamivudine | $100 to $302 | yes | 30 | 600/300 |
| abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine (Trizivir) | $4,777 to $4,786 | yes | 180 | 300/150/300 |
| abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine (Triumeq) | $3,748 | no | 30 | 600/50/300 |
| efavirenz/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine | $82 to $252 | yes | 30 | 600/300/20 |
| elvitegravir/cobicistat/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (Stribild) | $4,176 | no | 30 | 150/150/300/ 200 |
| rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (Complera) | $3,454 | no | 30 | 25/300/200 |
| elvitegravir/cobicistat/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (Genvoya) | $33,981 | no | 30 | 150/150/10/ 200 |
| rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (Odefsey) | $3,623 | no | 30 | 25/25/200 |
| dolutegravir/rilpivirine (Juluca) | $3,512 | no | 30 | 50/25 |
| bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy) | $3,981 | no | 30 | 50/200/25 |
It’s important to understand that many factors can affect HIV medication costs. Prescription drugs vary in availability, and medication prices can change quickly. Several other factors can also affect the cost of a medication, including:
- what pharmacy discounts are available
- whether a person has prescription drug insurance
- the availability of generic versions of medications
- what prescription assistance programs are available
- where a person lives
Pharmacy discounts
Some pharmacies and wholesale buyer stores offer loyalty discount programs for customers. These discounts are provided by the pharmacy, not the pharmaceutical company. Shopping around for pharmacy prices and discount programs can help a person find one that best suits their needs.
Prescription insurance
The cost of medication for someone with insurance may be lower than the average prices listed in the earlier table. However, those without insurance may have to pay the cash price, which is often higher.
Generic drugs
Some HIV medications are new. That means pharmaceutical companies still maintain the rights to the medication’s patent, and as a result, a generic option is unavailable. Generic medications are often less expensive than brand-name drugs.
If a healthcare professional prescribes a brand-name drug, it may be worthwhile to ask if there’s a generic version available instead.
Prescription assistance programs
Various prescription assistance programs (PAPs) are available to people taking HIV medications. These programs provide discounts or funds to help cover the cost of HIV treatment. Each PAP maintains its own requirements for participants, such as proof of the need for the medication.
An individual can apply for several PAPs or find one that’s specific to their medication. An example is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which provides significant assistance in obtaining HIV medications.
Out-of-pocket costs for HIV medication and treatments may be dramatically reduced for those accepted onto a PAP. Drug manufacturers operate many of these programs.
A good place to start learning about a PAP is by checking out the website for a particular drug that a healthcare professional recommends or by calling the drug manufacturer directly.
Location
Medication costs can vary by location. One common reason for this is how Medicaid and Medicare funds are used in the region where a person lives. State governments receive these funds from the federal government, and they can determine how and to whom they administer these funds.
The amount a state reimburses a pharmacy will be higher in states that cover HIV medication costs. As a result, the pharmacy may not charge its customers as much for the medication because of higher government reimbursement rates.
Understanding how HIV medication costs are set and taking advantage of certain resources can help reduce costs, so a person with HIV can save a significant amount of money on medication.
Some insurance companies do not cover newer HIV treatments. If a healthcare professional prescribes one of these medications to someone whose insurance will not cover it, the person will have to pay for it out of their own pocket. In this case, finding the best price for their medication may be important.
For those without private health insurance or whose insurance company does not currently cover HIV medication costs, certain programs may help supplement the cost so that they get the treatments they need.
Here are several strategies for finding assistance in paying for HIV treatment:
Reach out to the drug manufacturer
Many drug manufacturers have programs to help offset the costs of these medications. Find contact information by looking at the website of a manufacturer for a particular drug or asking a healthcare professional.
Use a hotline
Contact a state HIV hotline. Hotline operators can explain programs and agencies in each state that provide assistance with paying for medications.
Apply for coverage with Medicaid
Medicaid is a state and federal partnership that provides insurance coverage to low income households, older adults, those with disabilities, and others who qualify. While coverage varies from state to state, Medicaid is an important source of coverage for many individuals living with HIV. To find out more, visit the Medicaid website.
Contact the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is a federally funded program that provides services and support for those living with HIV. Its AIDS Drug Assistance Program provides medications to those with limited or no health insurance coverage.
Search for other programs
Look into programs that provide additional services to select groups. These include:
Each of these organizations offers services to those with HIV.
Visit drug pricing websites
Drug pricing websites such as GoodRx.com provide information on the average costs for medications at several major pharmacies and offer coupons for further savings. These sites also describe how a medication’s cost has averaged over time and how it compares to the cost of other similar medications.
It’s crucial to remember that cost should not be the only factor when pursuing medication treatment for HIV. The most important thing is your health.
That said, the reality is that the cost of medication is a significant issue, and learning about HIV treatment costs without financial assistance can be disheartening, especially for those who are newly diagnosed. However, services are available to help people obtain medications, and many of them will cover a large portion of the cost.
Another practice that may help is being open with a healthcare professional about whether a medication they prescribe is affordable. The healthcare professional may be able to advise on other ways to save money on medications.