Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Good information, cfacarol. So that explains the high cost. i wasn't aware of that.

Looked online, and it appears that exemestane IS an off patent drug. The brand name product is called Aromasin. I do not understand why it is still so expensive, unless is more effective or has fewer side effects than the other two Aromatase Inhibitors. I don’t understand all this, but I think it does have a different chemical reaction in the body than Arimidex or Femara.

I'll ask my Oncologist when I speak to her next time. Thank you for your follow-up!

Sparklegram, I’ll post whatever I find out for everyone here to review. But it’s likely to depend on what your individual Medicare drug supplement insurance is willing to cover. Unfortunately the AARP coverage is through United Health Care insurance, and they cover very little of the cost for Exemestane. They cover Anastrozole and Tomoxifin very well, but not much on Exemestane. Many drug costs also depend on state insurance laws.

Thank you!

@cfacarol
Although Exemestane (Aromasin) is an AI and functions like anastrozole and letrozole, it is chemically different in that it is a steroid. It may be that difference which allows manufacturers to charge more? and insurance companies to try to steer patients away from it?

@sparklegram I've been on the exemestane for about a month now. Still having some bone pain, but not severe and all over like with the other two AIs. Have a few hot flashes, but nothing like when I had surgical menopause. I do take my pill at night time so that may help alleviate some of the hot flashes, possibly going on while I'm sleeping because I will wake up with sweats. I do get insomnia..go to sleep and wake up 1-2 hours later and can't sleep. I keep my Nook near me so when I can't sleep, I just read for 1 or 2 hours and then fall back to sleep. The fatigue from all three is rough, but I'm dealing better with it from walking and therapeutic water exercise. For me, after trying out all 3 aromatiase inhibitors, the exemestane seems to be tolerable.

sparklegram @baker1
I pay $5 for a 3-month supply with Kaiser insurance and their senior advantage.

I think you are correct about why exemestane is so expensive. Does anyone know anything about the those online discount coupons for prescription drugs? I’ve been taking Femara (letrozole) for 2 months and although the side effects are not intolerable, I don’t feel great. The anecdotal comments about Aromasin (exemestane) sound promising. I have Medicare with the AARP/UHC supplement so cost will be prohibitive unless those coupons are valid. There is 0 cost for the Femara.

I’m also in your situation with costs. I’m also on Medicare with AARP drug supplement and recently was prescribed Exemestane. I feel much better with it than I did on other medications, but AARP pays little of the cost. My husband is still employed and I work part time. For now... we are able to stretch finances to afford it, but I’d much rather be putting that high drug co-pay into our retirement funds for the day when we only have Social Security for an income.