$1,200 for Latuda? Help!

Hi, I'm new here, so I hope I'm posting this question in the right place.

My psychiatrist recently put me on Latuda for severe bipolar depression and it has worked miracles. I felt like a different person after only four days. The side effects are mild and tolerable for me. My doctor gave me a few sample packs to start out with, but I just went to pick up the actual prescription and it's about $1,200 AFTER insurance and AFTER a discount coupon was applied! I think this is absurd since there's no generic available and it's one of the only medications out there specifically for bipolar depression. I think Seroquel is also approved for bipolar depression, but that medication is associated with many more side effects and health risks (weight gain, etc.). I tried Seroquel and couldn't even get through one day on it. I've also tried lithium, Lamictal, and Abilify. None of them work for my depression and I don't think they're necessarily approved specifically for depression anyway.

I mean, it's not like I want Latuda because I want to be on some fancy name brand drug instead of a more reasonable alternative. I would love to be on a generic instead. It's just that Latuda is the only medication of its kind--not to mention it's literally what's keeping me alive.

Does anyone know a way to work around this and get the cost down to something reasonable? Is there some kind of free program that will cover expensive name brand drugs for those who can't afford it? (I have no income currently, by the way.) Is there a way to appeal to the insurance company? It seems like since I have a bipolar I with severe depression diagnosis, the insurance company should recognize that this treatment is necessary for my condition. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Google Latuda, if you have private insurance you may be able to get the drug at a lower copay. It is worth a shot.

It's a racket it feels like to me. I was able to get samples constantly through my Doctor because they didn't expect me to pay 1k every time I needed a monthly supply. Eventually, I did end up going to a different medication because of the cost associated with it.

Welcome to PC! Some insurances will cover a drug they normally wouldn't if you have failed on enough similar drugs. Given you're mentioned four other drugs you've tried maybe you could get it covered. I would call your insurance company. If not, Geodon has helped me some and is in the same class as Latuda and there is a generic. If you haven't tried Geodon maybe it's worth asking your doctor about.

There are patient assistance programs that provide free meds if you can't afford them. Even if you don't meet all criteria you can still apply and ask for an exemption. That's what I do with other meds.

Sunovion Support®: Prescription Assistance Program | Information for Caregivers