Cetrotide

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on February 7, 2024

Cetrorelix (set roe REL iks) is a generic medication prescribed to help treat infertility in adult females.* The brand-name version of this drug is Cetrotide. The cost of cetrorelix with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about cetrorelix and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about cetrorelix, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* 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 of cetrorelix

Like other medications, the cost of cetrorelix can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity your doctor prescribes

To find out how much cetrorelix 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 “Coupons for cetrorelix” section.

Coupons for cetrorelix

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of cetrorelix. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with 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 for cetrorelix

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 cetrorelix. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for cetrorelix. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using cetrorelix 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.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

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

Cetrorelix is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Cetrotide.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what 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 cetrorelix, but you’re interested in using Cetrotide, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which version of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all versions.

To learn how the cost of cetrorelix compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about cetrorelix and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about cetrorelix.  

Is cetrorelix covered by insurance?

It may be. If you have prescription drug coverage, you can check with your plan provider to find out whether your particular insurance plan covers infertility treatments such as cetrorelix.

Talk with your pharmacist or insurance plan provider to learn more about what cetrorelix will cost you.

What is the cost of cetrorelix without insurance?

What you’ll pay for cetrorelix if you don’t have insurance can vary based on many factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance.

Other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug include:

• the quantity you’re prescribed, such as a 90-day or 30-day supply
• whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
• the dose you’re prescribed
• the pharmacy you use

To learn the exact cost you’d pay for cetrorelix without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also check with several pharmacies to compare their prices for this drug.

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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients 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 or pharmacist.

What to ask about cetrorelix

This article provides cost information related to cetrorelix. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for cetrorelix.

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:

• Will the dosage my doctor prescribes affect the cost of this drug?
• Are there any lower cost medications available to treat my condition?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Cetrorelix acetate for injection 0.25 mg. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f91c971b-89d7-4306-966d-8ecc1afc16d1/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   

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.