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Key takeaways
Duloxetine, a medication approved for treating various mental health and pain conditions, can cost up to $230 for a 30-day supply without insurance.
Insurance plans often cover duloxetine, but costs can vary based on the plan’s formulary, with it typically being classified as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 drug.
SingleCare offers a prescription discount program that can significantly reduce the cost of duloxetine to as low as $7 for a 30-day supply.
Alternatives to reduce duloxetine costs include shopping around for the best price, filling a 90-day supply, using community clinic discounts, or consulting a healthcare provider about switching to a less expensive medication.
Is duloxetine covered by insurance? | How much does duloxetine cost without insurance? | How to get duloxetine without insurance
Duloxetine is a generic prescription drug used to treat a variety of mental health conditions and pain problems. The FDA has approved it for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as skeletal muscle pain (such as back pain), diabetic neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. The typical daily dose is 60 mg, but some people may need to take more. Most people are familiar with duloxetine as brand-name Cymbalta, but there are other brand-name versions as well: Drizalma Sprinkle and Irenka. Unfortunately, both generic duloxetine and its brand-name versions are expensive medications, but there are many ways to save money.
Related: Cymbalta side effects
Is duloxetine covered by insurance?
Commercial insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, and Medicaid usually cover duloxetine prescriptions for approved conditions. Some insurance plans, though, may impose quantity limits. The actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on the insurance plan’s formulary, copay cost, and any deductibles. Insurance plans usually classify duloxetine as either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 drug. Tier 1 drugs will have the lowest copay cost; Tier 2 drugs have a higher copay cost.
How much does duloxetine cost without insurance?
If purchased at full retail price, expect to pay $230 for 30, 60 mg capsules of generic duloxetine for one month’s worth, and about $3,000 for a year.
Duloxetine belongs to a family of drugs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). They work very similarly to more widely-known antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline).
If SNRIs are hard to afford, ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other, less expensive antidepressants.
Compare duloxetine prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| $334 per 30, 60 mg delayed-release capsules | $10 per 30, 60 mg delayed-release capsules of generic Cymbalta | See updated prices | |
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$520 per 30 extended-release tablets | $20 per 30 extended-release tablets of generic Pristiq | See updated prices |
| $535 per 30, 80 mg extended-release capsules | $437 per 30, 80 mg extended-release capsules of brand-name Fetzima | See updated prices | |
|
|
$566 per 60, 50 mg tablets | $425 per 60, 50 mg tablets of brand-name Savella | See updated prices |
| Effexor XR (venlafaxine ER) | $670 per 30, 150 mg extended-release capsules | $8 per 30, 150 mg extended-release capsules of generic Effexor ER | See updated 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. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get duloxetine without insurance
Paying $230 cash price for duloxetine every month can could become burdensome. A manufacturer’s patient assistance program may help, but they have eligibility requirements that not everyone can meet. Here are some more foolproof ways to make duloxetine affordable.
1. Take advantage of SingleCare’s prescription discount program
Rather than pay $230 for a 30-day supply of duloxetine, people with a SingleCare discount card can pay as little as $7 at a SingleCare participating pharmacy. That’s only $84 per year as opposed to $3,000 a year.
2. Shop for the lowest price
Shopping different pharmacy prices could save hundreds of dollars per prescription. Check the prices at your local pharmacies using SingleCare’s pharmacy finder.
3. Get a 90-day supply
Higher-priced generic medications typically cost less per tablet when purchased as a 90-day prescription rather than filled every month for three months. Duloxetine is no exception. Compare 30-day and 90-prices to see if you can save money.
4. Fill the prescription at a community clinic that sells discount medications
Community clinics, health centers, and hospitals may have a program that offers prescription medications at a steep discount to needy patients. Called 340B providers, most will have income eligibility requirements. The prescriber or local health officials can provide a list of 340B providers in the area.
5. Switch to a different medication
There may be cheaper prescription drugs that can work just as well as duloxetine such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or NSAIDs. There will be differences, however, in effectiveness, side effects, and drug interactions. Start by asking a healthcare professional for medical advice first about switching to another drug.
