If you’re looking at treatment options for certain kinds of breast cancer, you may want to learn more about Ibrance (palbociclib).

Ibrance is a prescription drug that’s used to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is both hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative.

For this purpose, Ibrance is usually taken with an aromatase inhibitor or Faslodex (fulvestrant).

Ibrance comes as a tablet or capsule that you swallow. It contains the active ingredient palbociclib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading for details on Ibrance and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Ibrance, including its uses, see this in-depth article.

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

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

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Ibrance. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Ibrance in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Ibrance 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 Ibrance requires prior authorization.

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

How much does Ibrance cost per month with insurance?

The amount you pay per month for Ibrance will vary based on your insurance plan. Your cost may depend on whether you fill your prescriptions at a drugstore or through a mail-order pharmacy. To find out how much you’ll pay per month for Ibrance with your insurance, contact your insurance provider.

If you have insurance, you may be eligible for the Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings Card. This card could help lower the cost of Ibrance. For information, call 844-942-7262 or visit the drugmaker’s website.

For additional resources that could help you save on the cost of Ibrance, refer to the “Can I get help paying for Ibrance?” section below.

Is the cost of Ibrance covered by Medicare?

It depends. Some Medicare plans cover the cost of prescription drugs, while others do not. If you have Medicare Part D, it may cover Ibrance.

If you have a Medicare plan, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare representative to find out whether your plan covers Ibrance.

Ibrance 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 manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create 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 Ibrance long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Ibrance if approved by your doctor and your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Ibrance. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Ibrance. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They might be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

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

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

If you have insurance, you may be eligible for the Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings Card. This card could help lower the cost of Ibrance. For information, call 844-942-7262 or visit the drugmaker’s website.

If you don’t have insurance, you may be able to receive Ibrance at a discount through the Pfizer Patient Assistance Program or Pfizer Savings Program. For more information on these programs, call 844-989-7284 or visit the Pfizer Rx Pathways website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may have suggestions for other ways to save on your medication.

If you still have questions about the cost of Ibrance, 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 what you’ll actually pay for Ibrance.

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

  • Will my dosage of Ibrance affect the cost of this drug?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about Ibrance, refer to these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

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.