If you’re looking at treatment options for cancer, you may want to learn more about doxorubicin. It’s a generic prescription drug that can be used to treat many types of cancer in adults and some children. A few examples are:

Doxorubicin, also referred to as doxorubicin hydrochloride, is a chemotherapy drug. There’s currently no brand-name version of this drug.

Doxorubicin is available as a liquid solution inside vials. You’ll receive an intravenous infusion (IV) of this drug from a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.

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

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

The price you pay for doxorubicin can vary and includes the following factors:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive injections

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

Below are answers to some common questions about doxorubicin and cost.

Will the cost of doxorubicin depend on what dose I receive (such as 50 mg or 100 mg)?

Yes, it’s possible the cost of doxorubicin will depend on the dose you receive. The dose you receive will be determined by several factors. These include the type of cancer you have and other medications you’re taking.

Your doxorubicin dose will also depend on your body surface area (BSA) in square meters. BSA is a measurement of your body size. For example, your doctor may prescribe 50 milligrams (mg) or 100 mg of doxorubicin per square meter of BSA.

Your doctor will prescribe the dose of doxorubicin that’s best for treating your condition. To find out how your doxorubicin dose may affect its cost, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What will be my total cost of treatment with doxorubicin?

The total cost of treatment with doxorubicin will vary from person to person.

The cost can depend on your insurance coverage and the number of treatment cycles you’ll need. A treatment cycle includes a period during which you’ll receive treatment, followed by a period in which you won’t. The period without treatment allows your body to rest and get ready for your next dose.

Most people who take doxorubicin will receive several treatment cycles of the drug. The number of treatment cycles you’ll need depends on the type of cancer you have. It also depends on how well the drug is working for you.

To learn more about your total cost of treatment with doxorubicin, talk with your doctor.

Doxorubicin only comes as a generic drug. It’s not currently available in a brand-name version. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication, but it often costs less.

If you need help covering the cost of doxorubicin 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 questions about how you can pay for doxorubicin, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of doxorubicin, 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 doxorubicin.

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

  • How will the number of treatment cycles I receive affect the cost of doxorubicin?
  • Will my dosage of doxorubicin affect the price I’ll pay for treatment?
  • What are my treatment options if I can’t afford doxorubicin?

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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.