Erleada (apalutamide) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat prostate cancer. Erleada’s cost may depend on factors such as available savings programs and whether you have health insurance.

Erleada is used in adults to treat certain kinds of prostate cancer, specifically:

Erleada comes as a tablet that you swallow. Its active ingredient is apalutamide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

For more details on Erleada, see this in-depth article.

To save money on your Erleada prescription, explore coupons and saving options from the drug manufacturer.

The price you pay for Erleada can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it).

To find out how much you’ll pay for Erleada, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Erleada. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Erleada in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Erleada requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Erleada requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Erleada and cost.

Does the 60-mg strength of Erleada cost less than the 240-mg strength?

The 60-milligram (mg) strength of Erleada might cost less than the 240-mg strength. The price you pay for your Erleada prescription will depend on a few factors, including your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it).

To find out the price you’ll pay for your Erleada prescription, talk with your insurance provider or your doctor.

Is Erleada covered by Medicare?

According to the drug manufacturer, most Medicare Part D plans will cover Erleada. But your out-of-pocket expenses will depend on the specific plan you have.

To find out if Erleada is covered by your Medicare plan, talk with your plan provider.

Erleada only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drug manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug manufacturers can offer generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Erleada long term, you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Erleada. This could help lower the cost of Erleada. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help covering the cost of Erleada or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you still have questions about the cost of Erleada, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Erleada.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Does the price I pay for Erleada depend on the dosage my doctor prescribes?
  • How does the cost of Erleada compare with the cost of other treatments for prostate cancer?
  • If I can’t afford Erleada, what are my options?
  • Can I choose the specialty pharmacy that will dispense and mail my Erleada prescription?
  • If I need to travel frequently for work, how will I pick up my Erleada prescription?

To learn more about Erleada, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.