Humira vs Stelara
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Humira
Adalimumab
Manufactured by AbbVie
Stelara
Ustekinumab
Manufactured by Janssen
Humira costs 56% less per claim than Stelara ($3,414.00 vs $7,763.00). A generic version of Humira is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Humira | Stelara |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $3,414.00 | $7,763.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $6.5B | $5.6B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 195,000 | 114,000 |
| Total Claims | 1,890,000 | 720,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $33,092.00 | $49,026.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -22.1% | +6.3% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | AbbVie | Janssen |
| Condition | Autoimmune Diseases | Autoimmune Diseases |
| Generic Name | Adalimumab | Ustekinumab |
Humira vs Stelara: What the Data Shows
Humira (Adalimumab) and Stelara (Ustekinumab) are both used to treat autoimmune diseases. Based on Medicare Part D data, Humira costs $3,414.00 per claim, which is 56% less than Stelara at $7,763.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $6.5B on Humira and $5.6B on Stelara. In terms of patient reach, Humira serves more beneficiaries (195,000 vs 114,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -22.1% for Humira and +6.3% for Stelara.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Humira is cheaper at $3,414.00 per claim, compared to $7,763.00 for Stelara. That makes Humira about 56% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Humira and Stelara are used to treat autoimmune diseases. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Adalimumab and generic Ustekinumab can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $6.5B on Humira covering 195,000 beneficiaries, and $5.6B on Stelara covering 114,000 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.