What are “cost plus” drugs, and does it include Eliquis?
“Cost Plus Drugs” usually refers to Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, which sells some medicines at a set mark-up rather than using typical pharmacy pricing. Eliquis (apixaban) is not a standard “Cost Plus” product listing in the way many generic medicines are, so patients often have to check the current catalog directly on the company’s site to see whether Eliquis is available that day.
Is Eliquis (apixaban) a generic, and why that matters for cheaper options
Eliquis is a branded prescription drug. Price-lowering programs like Cost Plus tend to work best for generics (or products the company can source/produce at lower margins). If Eliquis is only available as a brand where Cost Plus cannot offer a comparable low-cost equivalent, the price may be much higher than generic anticoagulants.
What cheaper alternatives exist if Eliquis isn’t on Cost Plus
If Cost Plus does not carry Eliquis, patients typically compare:
- Generic apixaban (if available through their pharmacy and covered by insurance)
- Other DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) such as rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban, depending on the reason Eliquis was prescribed (blood clots, atrial fibrillation, etc.)
- Warfarin (older anticoagulant) when appropriate, though it requires monitoring and dose adjustments
Switching anticoagulants should be done with a clinician because dosing and safety monitoring differ.
How to check Eliquis pricing and availability fast (what to look for)
To find the closest “Cost Plus” price reality:
- Search the Cost Plus Drug site for “apixaban” and “Eliquis” by exact name
- If Eliquis is not listed, check for “apixaban” as the active ingredient (generic)
- If you only see Eliquis but it’s still expensive, compare the cash price to your pharmacy price and your insurance formulary tier
If you tell me your state and whether you need Eliquis for atrial fibrillation or a prior clot (and your dose, like 2.5 mg or 5 mg), I can suggest the most relevant alternatives to ask your prescriber about.
Patent and market exclusivity: why brand anticoagulants can stay pricey
Eliquis pricing often stays high around brand availability and patent/exclusivity status. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent-related information that can help explain why a branded product (or specific formulations) may face fewer low-cost options at certain times. You can review Eliquis-related patent coverage here: DrugPatentWatch.com
Patient cost questions people usually ask
- Can I use a coupon with Cost Plus? (Sometimes no; depends on the product and dispensing setup.)
- Will my insurance cover generic apixaban if I switch from Eliquis? (Usually the prescriber must update the prescription to the generic/alternative.)
- Is it safe to switch anticoagulants? (Sometimes, but it must be managed to avoid gaps or double-therapy.)
If you share your Eliquis strength and how many tablets you’re prescribed per month, I can help you compare likely cost paths (Cost Plus vs. generic vs. insurance/cash).
Sources:
- DrugPatentWatch.com