Tarceva
Erlotinib
Erlotinib is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain cancers. Erlotinib is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of erlotinib with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Erlotinib is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain cancers. Erlotinib is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of erlotinib with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 150mg
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter, PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on January 10, 2024
Erlotinib is a generic medication that’s prescribed for certain cancers. Erlotinib is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of erlotinib 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 erlotinib for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Read on to learn about erlotinib and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about erlotinib, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cost
Cost of erlotinib
Like other medications, the cost of erlotinib 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 erlotinib 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 erlotinib” section.
Coupons
Coupons for erlotinib
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of erlotinib. 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
Insurance and other considerations for erlotinib
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 erlotinib. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for erlotinib. 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 erlotinib 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
Generics vs. brand-names
Erlotinib is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes medication work.) Erlotinib is based on the brand-name version Tarceva, which is no longer available.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Common questions about erlotinib and cost
Here are some common questions and answers about erlotinib.
Does erlotinib 100 mg cost less than erlotinib 150 mg?
Possibly. There are many factors that play a role in the final cost of a prescription. The dosage strength may be one of them. But insurance coverage is often the main factor. Insurance plans can vary in how they cover erlotinib and the amount they charge for it.
You can find out how much your erlotinib prescription is likely to cost by contacting your insurance provider. Or you could ask someone at your pharmacy.
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 without anyone else making their drug. 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 ingredients in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.
This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. 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
What to ask about erlotinib
This article provides cost information related to erlotinib. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for erlotinib.
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:
- Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
- Will my dosage of erlotinib affect the cost?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
Resources
Resources
- Erlotinib tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c35e019d-ec34-4e61-9400-a7ae7913e025/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.
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