How Much Is Cymbalta Without Insurance?

Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions. Half of U.S. young adults ages 18 to 24 reported having depression or anxiety symptoms in 2023. About 13% of all U.S. adults took antidepressants from 2015 to 2018, according to the latest CDC findings.

While psychotherapy can make a positive difference for some people, medication — or a combination of therapy and medication — may be more effective for others. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), a class of antidepressants that work by boosting serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Cymbalta is FDA approved for both generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. It is approved to treat GAD in people who are age 7 or older. The medication is also prescribed to help people manage chronic pain, as well as pain from diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is approved to treat fibromyalgia in people who are age 13 or older.

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Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

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$10.08

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Is Cymbalta (duloxetine) typically covered by insurance?

Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments — including medications like Cymbalta and its generic, duloxetine — though coverage can vary from one plan to another.  Medicare Part D plans are required to cover nearly all antidepressants and typically cover generic Cymbalta, for example.

If you have insurance, check your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and formulary to determine whether brand-name Cymbalta or its generic, duloxetine, is covered. 

Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance

Here are a few things you can try if brand-name Cymbalta or duloxetine is not covered by your insurance:

• Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.

• Ask your insurance plan to make an exception and cover the medication. To get coverage, you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.

• File an appeal for coverage with your insurance plan.

• Use a free GoodRx coupon for potential savings.

• Consider changing your prescription medication coverage during your next open enrollment period.

You can also check to see if you qualify for a patient assistance program. The Lilly Cares Foundation patient assistance program provides brand-name Cymbalta to qualified individuals who are uninsured or have Medicare Part D and an annual adjusted gross household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. You can check to see if you’re eligible and apply here.

How much does Cymbalta cost without insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance or are self-pay, what you’ll pay for Cymbalta depends on the following factors: 

• Your dosage

• The fill amount — 90-day supply versus 30-day supply

• Your geographic location

• The specific pharmacy you use

• Whether your taking the brand-name or generic version

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• A guide to SNRIs: Learn about popular serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like Cymbalta, that treat anxiety and depression, as well as certain types of long-term pain.

• Cymbalta side effects: In addition to nausea, dry mouth, and drowsiness, Cymbalta can cause other side effects.

• Potential Cymbalta interactions: Alcohol, as well as certain supplements and other medications, may cause interactions with Cymbalta.

The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different brand-name Cymbalta doses. 

The prices for generic Cymbalta are typically much lower (as discussed below).

How much does generic Cymbalta cost without insurance?

In addition to the doses above, generic Cymbalta, or duloxetine, comes in a 40 mg dose. The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different duloxetine doses.

Taking generic Cymbalta is one of the easiest ways to save money on the medication.

How to save on your Cymbalta prescription with or without insurance

Below are five ways to save on your Cymbalta or duloxetine prescription with or without insurance.

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your prescription.

Here’s how to get a coupon:

• Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.

• Type "Cymbalta" in the search field. Be sure to select either “Cymbalta (brand-name)” or “Cymbalta (generic)” in the drop-down menu, depending on which version you’re taking. 

• Click on "Search prices" to find out how much your medication costs at pharmacies near you.

• Select the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled to generate a coupon.

• Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your medication.

2. Request a 90-day supply

Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Cymbalta instead of a 30-day supply so that you can compare costs. Getting a 90-day supply may be able to help you lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, which saves both time and money. 

If you have insurance that covers Cymbalta, ask if there are discounts for using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.

3. Compare prices at various pharmacies

GoodRx can help you easily compare costs to find the best Cymbalta price in your area.

4. Talk to your prescriber about alternatives

Your healthcare professional may not consider pricing when prescribing your medications. If you are concerned about costs, let your prescriber know. You might be able to find another medication that adequately treats your condition and better fits your budget.

5. Use your HSA or FSA funds

Another way to save on Cymbalta is to use the money in your health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for your prescription. Paying for the medication with your HSA or FSA funds can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.

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Written by:

Tamara E. Holmes

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, DC-based freelance journalist and content strategist who has been writing about personal finance, health, and health insurance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, such as USA Today, AARP, Working Mother, and Diversity Woman.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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