Epidiolex vs Vimpat
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Epidiolex
Cannabidiol
Manufactured by Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Vimpat
Lacosamide
Manufactured by UCB
Vimpat costs 85% less per claim than Epidiolex ($270.00 vs $1,839.00). A generic version of Vimpat is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Epidiolex | Vimpat |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $1,839.00 | $270.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $456.0M | $876.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 28,000 | 398,000 |
| Total Claims | 248,000 | 3,240,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $16,286.00 | $2,201.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +18.4% | +4.2% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Jazz Pharmaceuticals | UCB |
| Condition | Seizure/Epilepsy | Seizure/Epilepsy |
| Generic Name | Cannabidiol | Lacosamide |
Epidiolex vs Vimpat: What the Data Shows
Epidiolex (Cannabidiol) and Vimpat (Lacosamide) are both used to treat seizure/epilepsy. Based on Medicare Part D data, Vimpat costs $270.00 per claim, which is 85% less than Epidiolex at $1,839.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $456.0M on Epidiolex and $876.0M on Vimpat. In terms of patient reach, Vimpat serves more beneficiaries (398,000 vs 28,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +18.4% for Epidiolex and +4.2% for Vimpat. Epidiolex 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
Vimpat is cheaper at $270.00 per claim, compared to $1,839.00 for Epidiolex. That makes Vimpat about 85% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Epidiolex and Vimpat are used to treat seizure/epilepsy. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Cannabidiol and generic Lacosamide can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $456.0M on Epidiolex covering 28,000 beneficiaries, and $876.0M on Vimpat covering 398,000 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.