Anastrozole
Generic Arimidex
Anastrozole oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for breast cancer in certain adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Arimidex. The cost of anastrozole with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Anastrozole oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for breast cancer in certain adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Arimidex. The cost of anastrozole with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 1mg
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Updated on July 26, 2023
Anastrozole oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for breast cancer in certain adults. The brand-name version of this drug is Arimidex. The cost of anastrozole with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved anastrozole for adult females* who have gone through menopause. The drug is taken to treat:
- early stage breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive or an unknown type
- breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in people who have not received previous treatment
- advanced breast cancer in people who have responded well to previous treatment with tamoxifen
Anastrozole may be prescribed alone or with other medications. It doesn’t typically work well in people with ER-negative breast cancer or in those who have not responded well to tamoxifen treatment.
Read on to learn about anastrozole and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about anastrozole, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Cost
Cost of anastrozole
As with other medications, the cost of anastrozole can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
To find out how much anastrozole costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.
Coupons
Coupons for anastrozole
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of anastrozole. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Available app for coupons
To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.
Insurance and other considerations
Insurance and other considerations for anastrozole
Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:
- Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of anastrozole. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for anastrozole. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
- A 3-month supply. If you’re taking anastrozole long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.
If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.
Generics vs. brand names
Generics vs. brand names
Anastrozole is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Arimidex.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor has prescribed anastrozole but you’re interested in taking Arimidex, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.
To learn how the cost of anastrozole compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
FAQ
Common questions about anastrozole and cost
Here are some common questions about anastrozole and their answers.
Is anastrozole covered by Medicare?
Yes, anastrozole is typically covered by Medicare. But how much you pay will depend on the type of coverage you have.
Talk with your Medicare plan provider for the exact price you’ll pay for anastrozole. Your pharmacist can also provide information about the drug’s cost based on your insurance plan.
Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?
Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.
Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)
This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.
If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.
What to ask
What to ask about anastrozole
This article provides cost information related to anastrozole. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for anastrozole.
If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:
- How does the cost of anastrozole compare to the cost of the brand-name version, Arimidex?
- Is there an alternative drug for my condition that costs less?
- Are there ways that I can save on anastrozole’s cost if I don’t have health insurance?
Resources
Resources
- Anastrozole — anastrozole tablets tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f86d2158-b078-3f74-e053-6394a90aa4b6/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/manage-prescriptions?fips=48453&plan_type=&year=2022&lang=en
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
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