Crestor vs Praluent
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Crestor
Rosuvastatin
Manufactured by AstraZeneca
Praluent
Alirocumab
Manufactured by Regeneron/Sanofi
Crestor costs 96% less per claim than Praluent ($28.00 vs $706.00). A generic version of Crestor is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Crestor | Praluent |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $28.00 | $706.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $698.0M | $876.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 3,450,000 | 148,000 |
| Total Claims | 24,680,000 | 1,240,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $202.00 | $5,919.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -48.2% | +15.3% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jul 8, 2016 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | AstraZeneca | Regeneron/Sanofi |
| Condition | High Cholesterol | High Cholesterol |
| Generic Name | Rosuvastatin | Alirocumab |
Crestor vs Praluent: What the Data Shows
Crestor (Rosuvastatin) and Praluent (Alirocumab) are both used to treat high cholesterol. Based on Medicare Part D data, Crestor costs $28.00 per claim, which is 96% less than Praluent at $706.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $698.0M on Crestor and $876.0M on Praluent. In terms of patient reach, Crestor serves more beneficiaries (3,450,000 vs 148,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -48.2% for Crestor and +15.3% for Praluent. Praluent saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crestor is cheaper at $28.00 per claim, compared to $706.00 for Praluent. That makes Crestor about 96% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Crestor and Praluent are used to treat high cholesterol. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Rosuvastatin and generic Alirocumab can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $698.0M on Crestor covering 3,450,000 beneficiaries, and $876.0M on Praluent covering 148,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.