Casodex is a brand name for a generic medication called Bicalutamide. It is an anti-androgen drug that got FDA approval for the treatment of stage D2/ advanced metastatic prostate cancer- both metastatic castration-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. It is given along with another drug that contains a hormone called luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The drug is not effective if taken alone or with other treatments.
Casodex therapy in adjunct with an LHRH analog can help reduce or prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer. However, Casodex therapy may not work effectively as it should for every patient. Still, you can try out this medication with a doctor’s prescription.
This post throws some light on Casodex. It lays special emphasis on the cost of Casodex and best answers the most frequently asked question: why is Casodex cost so high? As you finish reading this post, you will learn about options and offers available on purchasing Casodex that can help you save your pocket expenses.
Casodex mechanism of action:
Casodex belongs to the pharmacological class: Antineoplastic anti-androgens– “the androgen receptor inhibitors”. This class of medications works to inhibit the effects of androgen and thereby progression of prostate cancer.
Casodex even comes under the androgen biosynthesis inhibitor drug class, which works by decreasing androgen hormone production. The growth and spread of cancer cells in the prostate are responsive to specific levels of androgen hormone. Excess androgen (testosterone) promotes the growth of prostate tumors while low levels of androgen (testosterone) result in delayed growth and spread of prostate cancer.
Casodex can go and bind to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in the pituitary gland and prevent their interaction with GnRh hormone. This results in a quick reduction in the levels of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone which ultimately leads to testosterone suppression. The suppression means no more growth and spread of prostate cancer cells.
LHRH agonist when taken in combination with Casodex provides a significant reduction in testosterone levels. This is Why is Casodex so expensive! After knowing how exactly Casodex works, you might be clear that Casodex is effective in treating prostate cancer. Has your doctor recommended you for Casodex therapy, but you cannot afford it? Thinking Why is Casodex cost so high- Our blog will talk more about it in detail.
Casodex Side Effects:
Some of the commonly reported side effects of taking Casodex tablets include:
- Body aches and pains.
- Hot flashes (flushing and sweating).
- Dizziness, Weakness.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Blood in the urine.
- Fever, chills, flu-like symptoms.
- Weight changes.
- Upset stomach, gas.
- Diarrhea or Constipation.
- Increased urination at nighttime.
Adverse effects of taking Casodex include:
- Anemia
- High blood sugar
- Liver problems
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Dry cough
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. There can be other potential unwanted effects of taking Casodex. If experiencing any, consulting a doctor as soon as possible is advised.
Is the Casodex generic version available?
Yes, Casodex is currently available for purchase in its generic form called Bicalutamide. Casodex got FDA approval in 1995 for use by metastatic prostate cancer patients to stop and delay the progression of the cancer. In 1995, the US Patent and Trade Marks Office granted a patent for Casodex to the drug manufacturer ANI PHARMS.
Any patient is valid up to 20 years after its registry and when the tenure is over, the drug can be made available commercially in its therapeutically equivalent version- the generic form. The generic version of Casodex is a copy of its active ingredient- Bicalutamide. As per patent law, more than 20 years have passed for Casodex, and so currently Casodex in its generic form can be manufactured and sold.
The generic version of any brand-name drug is available at a low cost. Is it the reason why is Casodex so expensive or why is Casodex cost so high? So, if you want to buy generic Casodex then get in touch with LifeRx Pharmacy. They provide the best cost for generic Casodex cost at the most competitive price in the market.
How much does Casodex cost with and without insurance?
With insurance aid, Casodex tablet purchasers must pay less from pocket. Having insurance coverage is the best for patients experiencing financial hardships. The buyers of Casodex can contact the chosen pharmacy and their insurance providers to figure out how much insurance claim is possible on the purchase of Casodex. They may have to get prior authorization before their insurance provider claims the cost of Casodex.
The price of Casodex tablets with insurance depends upon the terms of the healthcare insurance plan the patient has. The copay cost of Casodex varies among the patients. If you have insurance, you must contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist to calculate your copay with your existing insurance plan.
In general, Casodex tablets are priced much higher without insurance than with insurance or any financial aid. The customers holding no prescription drug insurance will have to pay the amount quoted by the seller depending upon the quantity of their purchase.
Even if there is no insurance to claim for the cost of the purchase of Casodex tablets, you still have the option to pay less by joining patient assistance programs if eligible for it or using financial resources.
The factors that are usually considered to qualify for Casodex patient assistance include being a permanent, legal resident of the United States; having no insurance or healthcare plan/insurance coverage; having income eligibility requirements. Looking for top-quality generic Casodex? Look no further than LifeRx Pharmacy. We offer the best generic Casodex cost. Get in touch for the best rates.
Why Is Casodex So Expensive?
Casodex is a brand-name medication so it is high priced. Why is Casodex cost so high, the reasons behind it being expensive are:
- Research and Development: Brand-name medications such as Casodex undergo extensive research and testing before the manufacturing company makes them available for its users. Drug research and clinical testing are required to ensure the drug’s safety and efficacy for its users. Casodex manufacturers have to spend a lot to put Casodex into clinical drug research and development, the price of Casodex is set so high. Luckily, with the availability of the generic form of the medication to the public, patients can purchase the same medication at a low price.
- Patent law protection: For every new drug, the original manufacturer holds a patent that expires in 20 years. Patent protection means a high price quote for the drug.
- Unregulated pricing of prescription drugs: The United States Government does not regulate the cost of Casodex. This means pharmacies can quote high prices for Casodex at their discretion. The price may vary depending on the demand and location of where the drug is sold. That’s why is casodex so expensive.
- Limited Competition: The absence of any generic competition allows the Casodex brand-name manufacturer to keep prices high, as they are the sole provider of the medication.
- Drug Classification: Casodex is a special drug to treat conditions like prostate cancer. These drugs are costly due to their specialized nature and limited users.
FAQs:
Can Casodex cure prostate cancer?
No, Casodex can help with advanced-stage metastatic prostate cancer management but cannot cure it. It relieves disease symptoms and is usually given with other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or other medications. Prostate cancer is only curable if detected at an early stage and treated promptly. Additionally, regular monitoring is crucial for effective treatment outcomes.
Can Casodex and Lupron be taken together?
Yes, Casodex and Lupron can be taken together. Leuprolide is an LHRH agonist. Lupron reduces testosterone production, while Casodex blocks the action of male hormones. When used in combination with prostate cancer treatment. They help to effectively target and reduce the levels of male hormones that can trigger prostate cancer cell growth.
Does Casodex lower PSA?
Using Casodex in prostate cancer treatment can decrease PSA levels. This decrease in levels shows that the drug is effectively slowing down the growth of the prostate cancer cells. It is important to note that this response can vary from patient to patient. Not everyone will experience the same consequences.
Is Casodex a chemotherapy drug?
No, Casodex is not a chemotherapy drug. It is an anti-androgen, antineoplastic medication used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Although it has the same purpose as chemotherapy drugs, its mechanism of action varies. Chemotherapy drugs fight cancer by killing the fast-growing cancer cells, while anti-androgen drugs help fight cancer by testosterone suppression.
How effective is Casodex?
Casodex is effective in increasing the survival period of patients having metastatic prostate cancer when taken along with LHRH analog. The effectiveness is much more than taking the LHRH analog alone and that is why is Casodex cost so high.
