Kalydeco vs Trikafta
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Kalydeco
Ivacaftor
Manufactured by Vertex
Trikafta
Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor
Manufactured by Vertex
Trikafta costs 12% less per claim than Kalydeco ($13,935.00 vs $15,750.00). A generic version of Trikafta is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Kalydeco | Trikafta |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $15,750.00 | $13,935.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $567.0M | $3.5B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 4,200 | 18,000 |
| Total Claims | 36,000 | 248,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $135,000.00 | $192,000.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -8.4% | +18.4% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Vertex | Vertex |
| Condition | Cystic Fibrosis | Cystic Fibrosis |
| Generic Name | Ivacaftor | Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor |
Kalydeco vs Trikafta: What the Data Shows
Kalydeco (Ivacaftor) and Trikafta (Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor) are both used to treat cystic fibrosis. Based on Medicare Part D data, Trikafta costs $13,935.00 per claim, which is 12% less than Kalydeco at $15,750.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $567.0M on Kalydeco and $3.5B on Trikafta. In terms of patient reach, Trikafta serves more beneficiaries (18,000 vs 4,200).
Year-over-year spending changed -8.4% for Kalydeco and +18.4% for Trikafta. Trikafta 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
Trikafta is cheaper at $13,935.00 per claim, compared to $15,750.00 for Kalydeco. That makes Trikafta about 12% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Kalydeco and Trikafta are used to treat cystic fibrosis. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Ivacaftor and generic Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $567.0M on Kalydeco covering 4,200 beneficiaries, and $3.5B on Trikafta covering 18,000 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.