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How much is amitriptyline without insurance?

The generic version of Elavil, amitriptyline, costs $27 without insurance. Learn how to get amitriptyline at a lower price, or find cheaper alternatives.
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By | Dec. 12, 2023 Medically reviewed by Keith Gardner, R.Ph.
Three Rx pill bottles: How much is amitriptyline without insurance?

Key takeaways

  • Amitriptyline, one of the lowest-priced tricyclic antidepressants available, is prescribed for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, with common side effects like drowsiness and weight gain.

  • Most insurance plans cover amitriptyline, but the cost is low even if you don’t have coverage. A 30-day supply of amitriptyline averages $27 without insurance.

  • Using a SingleCare prescription discount card can lower the cost of amitriptyline to as low as $2 for 30 tablets—no insurance required.

  • Lower-cost alternatives to amitriptyline include SSRIs like generic Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, though effectiveness and side effects may vary.

In this article:

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant available by prescription only. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved amitriptyline only to treat depression, but healthcare providers often prescribe it off-label for other medical conditions. The most common are anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and migraines. It’s also commonly prescribed to alleviate pain due to conditions such as fibromyalgia and nerve pain. Common side effects of amitriptyline include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, and weight gain. As a common generic drug, amitriptyline is one of the lowest-priced antidepressants, but savings are always possible.

What is the brand name for amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is a generic prescription drug with no brand-name versions. Still, healthcare providers may sometimes refer to it as Elavil. That’s its original brand name, but it’s no longer sold.

Is amitriptyline covered by insurance?

Amitriptyline is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, Tricare, and VA benefits. Health insurance formularies typically classify amitriptyline in their lowest copay tiers, so the copay costs are generally minimal. However, insurance companies may impose other charges such as coinsurance, deductibles, or coverage gaps that will affect the final out-of-pocket cost.

How much does amitriptyline cost without insurance?

For uninsured patients, the average cash price of 30, 25 mg amitriptyline oral tablets is $27. The usual dosage is 75 mg daily taken in three divided doses, or three 25 mg doses per day. That means a 30-day supply (90 tablets) will cost about $80. A year of amitriptyline therapy at the recommended dosage will cost $1,000 on average.

These prices make amitriptyline one of the lowest-priced antidepressants on the market. Among tricyclic antidepressants similar to amitriptyline, only nortriptyline is comparably priced. A 30-day supply of nortriptyline tablets costs about $90 on average.

If cost is an issue, a medical professional could prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. Lower-cost SSRIs include generic Prozac (fluoxetine) at $59 per month, generic Zoloft (sertraline) at $70 per month, or generic Paxil (paroxetine) at $70 per month. These drugs will vary in effectiveness, adverse effects, and drug interactions.

Although some lower-priced over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, and alternative treatments can improve mood or alleviate some symptoms of depression, they may not be suitable substitutes for prescription antidepressants in treating clinical depression. Before considering these options, get medical advice first.

Substantial savings are available with a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest SingleCare discount price for 30, 25 mg amitriptyline tablets is $2. That brings the monthly cost down to $6 and the yearly expense down to about $70.
Drug name Price without insurance of brand-name drug  SingleCare price Savings options
Amitriptyline $27 per 30, 25 mg tablets $2 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic amitriptyline See latest prices
Nortriptyline $29 per 30, 25 mg capsules $3 per 30, 25 mg capsules of generic nortriptyline See latest prices
Fluoxetine $59 per 30, 20 mg capsules $4 per 30, 20 mg capsules

of generic fluoxetine

 See latest prices
Escitalopram $123 per 30, 10 mg tablets $6 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic escitalopram See latest prices
Bupropion $32 per 30, 75 mg tablets $2 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic bupropion See latest prices
Venlafaxine $60 per 30, 75 mg tablets $8 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic venlafaxine See latest prices

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

How to get amitriptyline without insurance

At about $80 per month, amitriptyline is a mid-priced generic medication but one of the lowest-priced antidepressants. Savings are possible for people without insurance coverage, but some, such as patient assistance programs, aren’t offered for generic drugs. In tracking down savings, an effective place to start is by using a SingleCare savings card.

1. Buy amitriptyline at SingleCare discount prices at participating pharmacies

With a free coupon from SingleCare, a 30-day supply of amitriptyline can be purchased for as little as $6. Discounts will depend on the pharmacy, but many SingleCare participating pharmacies offer prices of $12 or less for a one-month supply of amitriptyline. Explore these prices on SingleCare’s amitriptyline coupons page. More savings and additional information can be found in the FAQs section on the coupon page.

2. Compare prices to find the lowest price

Different pharmacies charge different prices for the same prescription medications. The differences can be surprising. Currently, the lowest retail price for 30, 25 mg tablets of amitriptyline is $15 less than the average amitriptyline price of $27. A quick way to compare pharmacy prices is to use SingleCare’s . 

3. Fill the prescription at a public clinic or 340B provider

Public health clinics and local 340B providers may offer prescription medications like amitriptyline at steeply discounted prices. These discounts may require that patients meet income eligibility requirements. Ask the prescriber or local health department staff for guidance in finding these clinics or providers.

4. Switch to a lower-priced antidepressant

Ask the prescribing mental health professional about lower-cost treatment options such as SSRIs. In addition to being lower in price, they may be more convenient to take. Rather than taking three doses per day, SSRIs such as generic Prozac (fluoxetine) require only one dose per day. There are trade-offs in effectiveness and side effects, so consider the prescriber’s medical advice before switching.

5. Enroll in Medicaid

If even SingleCare discount prices are difficult to manage, consider enrolling in Medicaid or Medicare Low Income Subsidy (LIS). Both have ultra-low premiums and minimal costs for prescription medications. With Medicaid or Medicare LIS, the out-of-pocket cost of amitriptyline could be free or only a few dollars. To be eligible, people must meet strict income eligibility requirements. These requirements, along with enrollment information, can be found on each state’s Medicaid website. 

 

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