If you have breast cancer, your doctor may discuss exemestane (Aromasin) with you. As a result, you may want to find out more about this drug. This includes information about cost.

Exemestane is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat the following types of breast cancer in adult females:*

Exemestane belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. It comes only as 25-milligram (mg) tablets that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on exemestane and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on exemestane, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The price you pay for exemestane can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

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

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

Why is exemestane so expensive?

Exemestane is a generic version of the brand-name drug Aromasin. Generic exemestane is much more affordable than the brand-name version.

The cost of exemestane can depend on whether you have insurance. And exemestane cost can vary between different pharmacies. So it’s important to shop around for the best price for this drug.

If you don’t have insurance, be sure to tell your doctor. They can suggest resources to help pay for the drug or treatment options other than exemestane. These may include other generic medications that may be less expensive but still effective for your condition, such as Femara (letrozole) or Arimidex (anastrozole).

Will exemestane be cheaper if I buy it online?

Maybe. Among other factors, such as whether you have insurance, the cost of exemestane can depend on the pharmacy you use. Regardless of whether this is a neighborhood drugstore or an online pharmacy, you should always buy your medications from a pharmacy that’s reputable.

While there are plenty of legitimate pharmacies online, many that operate globally sell counterfeit, expired, or tainted drugs. And unless you know how to find a legitimate online pharmacy, it can be risky to buy online.

Before buying online, check to make sure the pharmacy is located in the United States and is legitimate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a helpful online database you can use to check if a pharmacy is legitimate.

You can also check the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website for accredited digital pharmacies. These pharmacies have gone through a process to verify that they are legitimate.

Keep in mind that drug prices may vary between online pharmacies.

For ways to get help with the cost of exemestane, see the “Can I get help paying for exemestane?” section below.

What does exemestane cost without insurance?

Exemestane could be more expensive if you don’t have insurance. But if you shop around at different pharmacies and use coupons, your cost for exemestane may be more affordable.

If you’ll be paying for exemestane without insurance, tell your doctor. They may be able to make suggestions for resources to help pay for your prescription.

Exemestane is typically used for 5 to 10 years. You may be able to lower your annual cost of the drug 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 exemestane if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower exemestane’s cost per tablet. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for exemestane. 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 may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

Exemestane comes in a brand-name version called Aromasin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the costs of Aromasin and exemestane compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed exemestane and you’re interested in using Aromasin instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

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

  • NeedyMeds
  • Medicine Assistance Tool

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

If you have questions about how you can pay for exemestane, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of exemestane, 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’ll pay for exemestane.

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

  • Are there other lower-cost options to treat my condition?
  • What resources are available to help with exemestane cost?
  • How can I find a pharmacy with the best price for exemestane?

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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.