Forteo (teriparatide) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat osteoporosis in certain adults. Forteo’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Forteo can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to buy pen needles to inject Forteo. These needles aren’t included with the drug.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Forteo, including what your cost per month may be, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Forteo. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Forteo in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Forteo 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 Forteo requires prior authorization.

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

Is there a copay card for Forteo?

Yes, the drugmaker offers a Forteo copay card. This card provides copay assistance for people who qualify.

You can learn more by calling 800-545-5979 or visiting the Forteo website. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Forteo copay card.

What is the cost of Forteo with Medicare?

The cost of Forteo with Medicare depends on your specific plan and benefits. For example, your cost may depend on your copay and other factors, such as whether you have a prior authorization requirement.

You can check with your Medicare plan provider to find out the exact cost of Forteo.

If you have questions about how much you’ll pay for Forteo, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare plan provider.

Forteo is available as the generic drug teriparatide, which comes as an injection that’s given under the skin. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the costs of Forteo and teriparatide injections compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Forteo and you’re interested in receiving teriparatide injections instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you receive one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you receive Forteo long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Forteo if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Forteo. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy (if available) might help lower your cost for Forteo. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

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

On these sites, 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 still have questions about the cost of Forteo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Forteo.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Would my cost of Forteo be higher without insurance?
  • Are there other treatment options for my condition at a lower cost?
  • Do generic teriparatide injections cost less than Forteo?

To learn more about Forteo, see these articles:

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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.