Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain types of cancer. Enhertu’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and where you receive the drug.

Enhertu is prescribed for adults to treat the following types of cancer in certain situations:

Enhertu comes as a powder that’s mixed into a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture). It’s given as an intravenous infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time) by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

The price you’ll pay for Enhertu can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It’ll also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Enhertu.

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

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

Enhertu 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 for up to 12 years.

When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can produce 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 Enhertu 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 insurance provider.

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.