Berinert (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) is a prescription drug used to treat hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adults and children. Berinert’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.

The price you pay for Berinert can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Berinert, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Berinert and cost.

What is the cost of Berinert with insurance?

The cost of Berinert with insurance depends on various factors. These include:

The cost may also depend on your dosage and other factors, such as your copay (your share of the cost of a medication).

To learn about the cost of Berinert with insurance, talk with your insurance provider or your doctor. They can let you know what you can expect to pay for Berinert.

How does the cost of Berinert compare with that of other drugs, such as icatibant (Firazyr), Ruconest, or Cinryze?

The cost of Berinert compared with the cost of Firazyr, Ruconest or Cinryze can depend on several factors, such as:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts

If you have questions about the cost of Berinert compared with the cost of similar medications, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

Berinert is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it exclusively for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you need help covering the cost of Berinert or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Berinert. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Berinert in regard to your treatment. Then, the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Berinert requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Berinert requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.