HYCAMTIN (topotecan) Patient Assistance Program
Don’t let the high cost of brand alkylating chemotherapy disrupt your treatment. We help eligible patients access Gleostine (lomustine) for as little as $69.95 per month through the manufacturer’s Patient Assistance Program.
- Clear & Transparent Pricing
- Paperwork & Doctor-Coordination
- Comprehensive Support: From Application to Entire Journey.
- Annual Re-certification And Refills Management
- Medicare Part D Patients Accepted
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Key Takeaways:
- Hycamtin (topotecan) is FDA-approved for second-line therapy of small cell lung cancer (SCLC, IV), metastatic carcinoma of the ovary, and stage IV-B, recurrent, or persistent carcinoma of the cervix. Available as IV infusion and oral capsules. Oral Hycamtin is approved for relapsed SCLC.
- Without assistance, brand Hycamtin costs commonly run approximately $1,500–$2,500 per dose (IV) or $3,000–$5,000 per oral capsule cycle.
- Through AffordMyPrescriptions, qualifying patients can access Hycamtin for a flat $69.95 per month — our advocacy team manages the entire enrollment, refills, and renewal process.
- Generic topotecan IV is now widely available at substantially lower cost. Generic topotecan oral capsules are also available. Most patients can access generic topotecan at affordable cost — generic IV vials are often available at hospitals at much lower prices than brand.
What Is Hycamtin Prescription Assistance Program?
The Hycamtin Prescription Assistance Program is a manufacturer-sponsored initiative that provides Hycamtin at little or no medication cost to qualifying patients based on income and insurance status. The program is designed for relapsed SCLC, ovarian, and cervical cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as Medicare beneficiaries.
Navigating the program on your own means dealing with eligibility verification, oncology coordination, prior-authorization documentation, infusion-center logistics, and renewal deadlines.
AffordMyPrescriptions eliminates that burden. For a flat $69.95 per month, our Patient Advocates handle every step of your enrollment, from initial application through coordination with the infusion center or specialty pharmacy.
Pharmacy Price Comparison
- Without assistance, brand Hycamtin costs roughly $1,500–$2,500 per IV dose. Generic topotecan is much cheaper. A Patient Assistance Program is the meaningful path forward — if you qualify:
| Pharmacy(With Coupon) | PrIce (30-Day)* | You Save W/ Us |
|---|---|---|
| Walgreens (brand IV) | ~$2,300/dose | Save substantially |
| CVS Pharmacy (brand IV) | ~$2,500/dose | Save substantially |
| Walmart (brand IV) | ~$1,700/dose | Save substantially |
| Costco (brand IV) | ~$1,600/dose | Save substantially |
Generic topotecan IV | ~$300/dose | Already low |
*Just a heads-up — retail prices are estimates based on public data and vary by pharmacy. AffordMyPrescriptions Advocacy Service bypasses this by using drug manufacturer programs to secure your medication directly at no cost or retail price.
Our Pricing:
$69.95 Per month
1 Medications
$79.95 Per Month
2 Medications
$89.95 Per Month
3 Medications
$99.95 Per Month
4+ Medications
Why choose us For Your Hycamtin Prescription Program?
The Patient Assistance Program is free to apply for and provides Hycamtin at no medication cost if approved. Our $69.95/month service covers full advocacy. With generic topotecan widely available at much lower cost, generic is usually the cheaper path for most patients.
Enroll
Complete a simple eligibility form so our team can determine if you may qualify for medication assistance programs.
We Advocate
Our specialists help gather documentation, complete applications, and coordinate with program providers.
Receive Medication
Once approved, you may receive your medication through the assistance program while we help manage ongoing paperwork and renewals.
Discount Coupons vs. Patient Assistance Programs
Many patients try discount cards first. Here’s why the Patient Assistance Program through AffordMyPrescriptions is the better long-term solution for Hycamtin:
Limitations of Coupons
- Prices fluctuate — savings aren’t guaranteed month-to-month
- Copay accumulators may prevent savings from counting toward deductible
- Coupon cards expire and require constant renewal
Still $1,500–$2,500/dose (IV) per month even with the best discount
- Can’t be used with Medicare, Medicaid, or government insurance
Advantages of PAP Through Us
- Fixed $69.95/month — never changes regardless of retail price
- No expiration — continuous access as long as you qualify
- Medication supplied directly through the assistance program
- We manage all paperwork, refills, and annual renewals
- If denied, we explore alternative savings on your behalf
DO YOU QUALIFY?
Eligibility is generally determined by annual household income and insurance status. Most programs follow guidelines that include limits of up to $40,000 for individuals, $60,000 for couples, and $100,000 for larger families. Because requirements vary by program and household, we encourage you to contact AffordMyPrescriptions directly so we can review your specific situation and determine if you qualify for Hycamtin assistance.
- You Are A U.S. Citizen Or Legal Resident
- You Have A Valid Hycamtin Prescription From A Licensed U.S. Healthcare Provider
- You Are Uninsured, Underinsured, Or A Medicare Part D Beneficiary
- You Have Recently Experienced A Change In Financial Circumstances That Affects Your Ability To Pay
Not sure if you qualify? Our pre-qualification check is completely free. If we can’t help, you won’t be charged.
Understanding Hycamtin:
Hycamtin (topotecan) is a topoisomerase I inhibitor chemotherapy used for relapsed small cell lung cancer, metastatic ovarian cancer, and stage IV-B/recurrent/persistent cervical cancer. Available as IV infusion (most common) and oral capsules (for relapsed SCLC).
How Hycamtin Works:
DNA replication requires the topoisomerase I enzyme to nick, rotate, and re-ligate DNA strands to relax DNA supercoils. Topoisomerase I inhibitors stabilize the cleavage complex between the enzyme and the DNA, which prevents re-ligation and causes double-strand breaks during replication that lead to cell apoptosis. Topotecan is a cell-cycle specific (S-phase) semi-synthetic analog of camptothecin that binds this complex and accumulates DNA damage in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Because of this targeted mechanism, the medication is highly effective against several types of lung and gynecologic cancers.
Form and use:
Hycamtin IV is administered at a typical dose of 1.5 mg/m² as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days, repeating the cycle every 21 days. For relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC), Hycamtin oral capsules are taken at a dose of 2.3 mg/m² daily for 5 days, repeated every 21 days. These oral capsules must be swallowed completely whole with water and should never be chewed, crushed, or opened. Additionally, because of how the drug is cleared from the body, patients with impaired kidney function will require a renal dose adjustment.
Generic availability:
Generic topotecan is widely available in the United States in both its intravenous and oral capsule formulations at a substantially lower cost than brand-name Hycamtin. Most hospitals regularly stock the generic intravenous version for both inpatient and outpatient infusion treatments. For patients treating relapsed SCLC, alternative clinical options include lurbinectedin (Zepzelca), clinical trials, or immunotherapy combinations. Depending on the patient’s specific case, a medical provider might also choose a re-challenge strategy with platinum/etoposide instead of topotecan.
Warnings:
Hycamtin carries a serious boxed warning for severe and sometimes life-threatening myelosuppression, which causes neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. This risk necessitates strict complete blood count (CBC) monitoring before each dose and throughout treatment cycles, often requiring supportive care with growth factors. The medication is also associated with warnings for interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis, embryo-fetal toxicity, and neutropenic colitis. Finally, patients should be monitored for significant gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and mucositis.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Much Does Hycamtin Cost Without Insurance?
Brand Hycamtin costs approximately $1,500–$2,500 per IV dose. Generic topotecan is dramatically cheaper. Through AffordMyPrescriptions, qualifying patients receive Hycamtin at no medication cost — our $69.95 monthly fee covers full advocacy and program management. Most patients find generic topotecan is the cheaper path
Is Generic Topotecan The Same As Brand Hycamtin?
Yes. The FDA approves generic topotecan as bioequivalent to brand Hycamtin — same active ingredient at the same dose. Most oncologists are comfortable with generic; most hospitals stock generic. Most insurance plans prefer generic.
Which Cancers Is Hycamtin Used For?
FDA-approved indications: relapsed small cell lung cancer (after first-line platinum/etoposide failure — both IV and oral forms approved), metastatic ovarian cancer that progressed on or after platinum-based therapy (IV form), and stage IV-B/recurrent/persistent cervical cancer in combination with cisplatin (IV form).
What Are The Major Side Effects?
Most common: myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia — the dose-limiting toxicity; expect CBC monitoring weekly during cycles, G-CSF or transfusion support may be needed), nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, alopecia, decreased appetite. Tell your oncologist about fever (could indicate febrile neutropenia — emergency), severe diarrhea, severe abdominal pain (could indicate neutropenic colitis), or shortness of breath.
Should I Get Growth Factors With Hycamtin?
Often yes — particularly in patients with prior heavy treatment, baseline cytopenias, or for second cycle if first cycle caused severe neutropenia. G-CSF (filgrastim or pegfilgrastim — with biosimilars at lower cost than brand Neupogen/Neulasta) reduces neutropenia and febrile neutropenia rates. Your oncologist will decide based on your individual risk and prior chemotherapy course.
How Long Will I Be On Hycamtin?
Typical treatment is 4–6 cycles (every 21 days) if responding and tolerating. Imaging is done every 2–3 cycles. Treatment continues if disease is stable or responding; discontinued if disease progresses or if toxicity is unacceptable. Many patients receive Hycamtin until disease progression then move to other options.
What If My Application Is Denied?
If denied, we explore alternatives — switching to generic topotecan (much cheaper), or to other treatment options for your specific cancer (lurbinectedin/Zepzelca for SCLC; various ovarian cancer options including PARP inhibitors, doxorubicin liposomal/Doxil generic, gemcitabine), the manufacturer’s copay program for commercially insured patients, or independent foundations such as the Lung Cancer Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, National Cervical Cancer Coalition, PAN Foundation, or HealthWell Foundation. If we cannot find a path, you won’t be charged our service fee.
Take Control of Your Medication Costs
If you are struggling with the high cost of Hycamtin, our team may be able to help you access assistance programs — or guide you to generic topotecan. Check your eligibility today.
Submit Enrollment Form
Start free by filling out a simple online form.
Receive Welcome Call
Our specialist will contact you for a quick welcome call.
We Manage The Process
Our team handles everything, so you can focus on your health.