Skip to main content
Drug Info

How much is Winlevi without insurance?

Winlevi costs $787 without insurance. Learn how to get Winlevi at a lower price, or find cheaper alternatives.
SingleCare logo
By | Jan. 11, 2024 Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Rx topical cream container: Winlevi without insurance

Key takeaways

  • Winlevi cream, a prescription acne treatment that targets testosterone’s effects on skin oil production, can cost nearly $800 without insurance.

  • Most insurance plans do not cover Winlevi, placing it in higher copay tiers, with a 60 gm tube’s average retail price close to $800, equating to a yearly cost of over $9,000.

  • Alternatives to Winlevi include other antiandrogens and acne treatments like topical treatments, antibiotics, and retinoids, which may be more affordable and effective.

  • Using a SingleCare prescription savings card can reduce the cost of Winlevi to approximately $507, and comparing prices across pharmacies or considering other acne treatments may offer additional savings.

In this article:

Winlevi cream is a topical acne treatment available only by prescription for adults and teens 12 years and older. Its active ingredient, clascoterone, is an androgen receptor inhibitor that targets the effects of testosterone on the skin’s oil glands. Acne is partly due to increased skin oil production induced by testosterone. By blocking testosterone, clascoterone cream decreases skin oil wherever it is applied. As a brand-name drug with no generic alternative, it pays to explore cost-saving options.

What is the generic for Winlevi?

There is no generic version of Winlevi cream. The earliest a generic version will be available is 2028.

Is Winlevi covered by insurance?

Winlevi is not commonly covered by health insurance plans. Even when covered, the insurance company will typically require prior authorization. As a general rule, Medicare does not cover acne drugs, so people with Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage are unlikely to be covered. 

Most insurance formularies place Winlevi in their higher copay tiers, so the out-of-pocket cost for Winlevi will be higher than that of other prescription drugs. Additional costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, or coverage gap costs may apply.

How much does Winlevi cost without insurance?

For people without insurance, the average retail price of a 60 gm 1% tube of Winlevi cream is $790. If applied properly to the affected area, that’s enough medicine to last 30 days. The daily cost then averages to $26; a year’s Winlevi treatment will cost over $9,000.

There is no generic version of Winlevi, so people without insurance may have few options other than paying cash price. 

Drugs that work like Winlevi are called antiandrogens because they block the effects of testosterone. Most are taken orally so they will have numerous side effects. The benefit of Winlevi is that it is a topical drug. Not much of the drug gets into the bloodstream. Side effects are limited to the skin where the drug is applied. Oral spironolactone is also an antiandrogen and may be prescribed for acne, but it has numerous side effects. 

In addition to antiandrogens, other acne therapies may be just as effective and cost less. These include over-the-counter topical treatments, antibiotics, and retinoids. 

The most effective way to save on Winlevi or alternative acne treatments may be to use a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare discount price is $508.
Drug name Price without insurance of brand-name drug  SingleCare price Savings options
Winlevi $787 per 1, 60 gm tube of 1% cream $508 per 1, 60 gm tube of 1% cream of brand-name Winlevi See latest prices
Retin-A

(tretinoin)

 $278 per 1, 45 gm tube of 0.05% cream $34 per 1, 45 gm tube of 0.05% cream of generic tretinoin See latest prices
Dapsone $591 per 1, 60 gm tube of 5% gel $118 per 1, 60 gm tube of 5% gel of generic dapsone See latest prices
Clindamycin Phos-Benzoyl Perox $415 per 1, 50 gm jar of 1-5% gel $45 per 1, 50 gm jar of 1-5% gel of generic clindamycin phos-benzoyl perox See latest prices
Epiduo Forte

(adapalene-benzoyl peroxide)

 $863 per 1, 45 gm bottle of 0.3-2.5% gel $66 per 1, 45 gm bottle of 0.3-2.5% gel of generic adapalene-benzoyl peroxide See latest prices
Spironolactone  $19 per 30, 25 mg tablets $3 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic spironolactone See latest prices

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Winlevi without insurance

Winlevi is an effective acne treatment but carries a premium price. Health insurance may provide little help. Many insurance plans don’t cover it. Those that do typically require prior authorization, so there’s a distinct possibility the company will refuse the Winlevi prescription. Some assistance programs may be offered by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, INC., the maker of Winlevi, but eligibility may be challenging for some. Fortunately, there are other money-saving alternatives, starting with SingleCare.

1. Use a SingleCare prescription savings card

The lowest SingleCare discount price for a 60 gm tube of Winlevi is $507, over $200 less than the average cash price. Discount savings vary by participating pharmacy, so visit SingleCare’s Winlevi coupons page. The FAQs section includes additional savings and drug information.

2. Buy Winlevi at the lowest price

There are dramatic price differences between pharmacies. However, calling pharmacies one by one is a burden. Instead, look at SingleCare’s for a quick overview of pharmacy prices. There, you’ll find that the lowest price for Winlevi is over $100 less than the highest price.

3. Ask the dermatologist about other testosterone blockers

Winlevi’s prime benefit is that it blocks testosterone in the skin without affecting the rest of the body. The side effects of Winlevi are limited to skin problems like redness, itching, and dryness. Other FDA-approved acne treatments that block testosterone are taken as pills. Their side effects involve the whole body. However, they are less costly. Talk to the dermatologist about possible side effects and contraindications for taking these other drugs if Winlevi treatment is not possible. Those pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their provider before taking Winlevi to ensure safety.

RELATED: When to see a dermatologist

4. Ask the dermatologist about other acne treatment options

Acne has several causes, so there are also several treatment options. They can be used singly or sometimes together. The cost may be lower than Winlevi, but there will be differences in effectiveness, side effects, and drug interactions. Ask a healthcare provider for medical advice about the best options. 

 

Lea este artículo en español aquí.

Sources