Bicalutamide is a generic oral tablet that’s prescribed for metastatic prostate cancer in adults. It’s available as the brand-name drug Casodex. The cost of bicalutamide with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Bicalutamide belongs to a drug class called androgen receptor inhibitors. It’s prescribed with another medication known as a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.
Read on to learn about bicalutamide and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like more information about bicalutamide, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of bicalutamide can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of bicalutamide will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers bicalutamide. This means the company and your doctor will discuss bicalutamide in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether bicalutamide requires prior authorization.
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Bicalutamide is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Bicalutamide is available as the brand-name drug Casodex. If your doctor has prescribed bicalutamide and you’re interested in using Casodex instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of bicalutamide, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take bicalutamide long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of bicalutamide. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Bicalutamide may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for bicalutamide, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and bicalutamide.
Does Medicare cover bicalutamide?
It may. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans may cover certain prescription medications. To find out whether bicalutamide is covered by Medicare, contact your Medicare provider. Your doctor or pharmacist may also have information about whether bicalutamide is covered for you.
To learn more about Medicare coverage for prostate cancer treatment, refer to this article.
What does bicalutamide cost without insurance?
It depends on various factors. Factors that could affect what you pay for this drug without insurance 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
- your dosage and treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
If you don’t have insurance for prescription drugs, ask your pharmacist for the cash price of bicalutamide. You may want to call several pharmacies, because prices can vary depending on location. You can also ask the pharmacist whether discount programs are available for bicalutamide.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and bicalutamide, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to bicalutamide. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for bicalutamide.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Casodex, the brand-name version of bicalutamide, refer to this article.
- Information about prostate cancer. For more information about metastatic prostate cancer, see our prostate cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.