Praluent vs Vascepa
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Praluent
Alirocumab
Manufactured by Regeneron/Sanofi
Vascepa
Icosapent Ethyl
Manufactured by Amarin
Vascepa costs 68% less per claim than Praluent ($229.00 vs $706.00). A generic version of Vascepa is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Praluent | Vascepa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $706.00 | $229.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $876.0M | $567.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 148,000 | 298,000 |
| Total Claims | 1,240,000 | 2,480,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $5,919.00 | $1,903.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +15.3% | -12.4% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Regeneron/Sanofi | Amarin |
| Condition | High Cholesterol | High Cholesterol |
| Generic Name | Alirocumab | Icosapent Ethyl |
Praluent vs Vascepa: What the Data Shows
Praluent (Alirocumab) and Vascepa (Icosapent Ethyl) are both used to treat high cholesterol. Based on Medicare Part D data, Vascepa costs $229.00 per claim, which is 68% less than Praluent at $706.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $876.0M on Praluent and $567.0M on Vascepa. In terms of patient reach, Vascepa serves more beneficiaries (298,000 vs 148,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +15.3% for Praluent and -12.4% for Vascepa. 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
Vascepa is cheaper at $229.00 per claim, compared to $706.00 for Praluent. That makes Vascepa about 68% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Praluent and Vascepa 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 Alirocumab and generic Icosapent Ethyl can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $876.0M on Praluent covering 148,000 beneficiaries, and $567.0M on Vascepa covering 298,000 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.