Key takeaways:
Without insurance or discounts, generic citalopram (Celexa) 20 mg costs $19.41 for 30 tablets (a 1-month supply) on average.
How much citalopram costs without insurance can vary based on your daily dosage, pharmacy location, and more.
You may be able to save on your citalopram prescription by using a free GoodRx coupon, comparing prices at different pharmacies, or getting a 90-day prescription. You can also use tax-advantaged health account funds to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Save on related medications
Citalopram — the generic version of the brand-name medication Celexa — is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It’s FDA approved to treat depression in adults, which it does by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Sometimes, citalopram is prescribed off-label to help with other conditions, such as anxiety.
Be careful not to confuse citalopram with escitalopram (Lexapro). They sound alike and are closely related, but they’re not the same medication.
Citalopram comes in oral tablets, capsules, and a liquid solution. How much you’ll pay for citalopram can vary based on the form and dosage you’re prescribed, along with other factors. Let’s review how much citalopram costs without insurance and ways to save on your prescription.
How much does citalopram cost without insurance?
The chart below shows the average retail price of common forms and doses of citalopram without insurance or discounts.
What factors affect the cost of citalopram?
How much citalopram costs depends on many factors, such as:
Location: Where you live affects your prescription costs. For example, GoodRx research shows you might pay more than the national average for prescription medications in New York City and Lexington, Kentucky. But in Houston, costs are generally much less than the national average.
Pharmacy: Without insurance, prescription medication prices can vary among pharmacies — even within the same area. GoodRx can help you compare prices at different pharmacies near you to find the most affordable price for citalopram.
Insurance: If you have insurance coverage for citalopram, what you pay may vary based on any deductible, coinsurance, or copay requirements for your plan.
Dose, form, and quantity: Different doses and quantities of citalopram can affect how much your prescription costs. And some forms of citalopram may be more expensive than others. For example, there is a significant price difference between citalopram tablets and the oral solution.
Brand-name vs. generic: Generic citalopram is generally more affordable than brand-name Celexa. In most cases, your pharmacy will fill your prescription for the generic version, unless your prescriber specifies brand-name-only.
What to do if citalopram isn’t covered by your insurance
Most insurance plans cover generic citalopram. But your cost may vary depending on your insurer and plan. Check your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) to verify citalopram coverage and what you can expect to pay.
If your insurance doesn’t cover citalopram, try the following steps:
Request a formulary exception to get citalopram covered by your plan. If your insurance company denies your request, appeal its decision.
Ask your prescriber about an alternative SSRI, such as escitalopram, that may be covered by your insurance plan.
Consider changing insurance plans during your next open enrollment period to one that covers citalopram.
Ways to save on citalopram
Here are five tips to help you save on the cost of citalopram, whether you have insurance coverage or not.
1. Use a free GoodRx coupon
A free GoodRx coupon can help lower the cost of generic citalopram. The chart below shows the lowest GoodRx price at certain pharmacies for different doses, forms, and quantities of citalopram.
2. Enroll in GoodRx Companion
You can access discounted prescription medications with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 250 medications (including some forms of citalopram) are available for free, with hundreds more under $10 per month.
Add GoodRx as a trusted source on GoogleAdd GoodRx as a trusted sourceThe GoodRx Companion program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for online care visits, discounts on dental care, and other health service savings.
3. Request a 90-day prescription
Ask your prescriber for a 90-day citalopram prescription. Many pharmacies offer discounts on larger quantities of medication.
Your insurance plan may also offer lower copays for a 90-day supply. Just keep in mind that you may need to use its mail-order pharmacy to access the lower price.
4. Consider tablet-splitting
Cutting a higher-dose citalopram tablet in half might help lower your monthly cost. For example, if you take 20 mg of citalopram every day, splitting 40 mg tablets in half means you only need 15 tablets for a 30-day supply, which can help save you money if you’re paying out of pocket.
Just keep in mind that citalopram tablets should only be split if they’re scored (have a dividing line). You can’t safely split citalopram capsules.
5. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA funds
If you have a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use those funds to pay for citalopram and other qualifying medical expenses.
FSA money must be used by the end of your plan year, or you’ll lose it, unless your employer provides a grace period or allows you to carry over a portion. HSA funds, however, roll over each year and remain available whenever you need them. HRA rules depend on your employer’s plan design.
Frequently asked questions
No, citalopram isn’t similar to Xanax (alprazolam). Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant. It’s a first-choice option for depression, although it’s often prescribed off-label for anxiety as well. Citalopram works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. It isn’t a controlled substance, and it’s considered safe for long-term use.
Xanax is a benzodiazepine. It treats anxiety and panic disorders by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (binding sites) in the brain. But it isn’t a first-choice treatment option for anxiety. Xanax is a controlled substance with a risk of misuse and dependence.
Your prescriber will usually have you take citalopram and similar antidepressants for about 6 to 12 months when treating anxiety. But there isn’t a set time frame for taking it. Some people may be able to stop taking citalopram after time, but others may need long-term treatment. Your prescriber will work with you to determine a timeline that works best for your needs.
Citalopram works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate your mood and emotions. SSRIs such as citalopram may also raise levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps brain cells communicate better, which can help you become more adaptable over time.
No, citalopram isn’t similar to Xanax (alprazolam). Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant. It’s a first-choice option for depression, although it’s often prescribed off-label for anxiety as well. Citalopram works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. It isn’t a controlled substance, and it’s considered safe for long-term use.
Xanax is a benzodiazepine. It treats anxiety and panic disorders by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (binding sites) in the brain. But it isn’t a first-choice treatment option for anxiety. Xanax is a controlled substance with a risk of misuse and dependence.
Your prescriber will usually have you take citalopram and similar antidepressants for about 6 to 12 months when treating anxiety. But there isn’t a set time frame for taking it. Some people may be able to stop taking citalopram after time, but others may need long-term treatment. Your prescriber will work with you to determine a timeline that works best for your needs.
Citalopram works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate your mood and emotions. SSRIs such as citalopram may also raise levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps brain cells communicate better, which can help you become more adaptable over time.
The bottom line
Without insurance or discounts, generic citalopram (Celexa) 20 mg costs $19.41 for 30 tablets (a 1-month supply) on average. But how much citalopram costs without insurance can vary based on your daily dosage, pharmacy location, and more.
You can lower the out-of-pocket cost of citalopram by using a free GoodRx coupon, comparing prices at different pharmacies, or getting a 90-day prescription. You can also use tax-advantaged health account funds to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
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References
Shoar, N. S., et al. (2023). Citalopram. StatPearls.
