Key takeaways:
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a prescription-only medication that’s FDA approved to treat depression and anxiety.
Without insurance, 30 tablets of brand-name Lexapro 10 mg cost an average of $575.26. The generic version, escitalopram, may cost about $46.20 at some pharmacies.
Insurance coverage for Lexapro varies widely by plan type, with Medicaid covering the highest percentage of enrollees. Whether or not you have insurance, you may be able to save on Lexapro by using a GoodRx coupon.
Save on related medications
About 20% of U.S. adults are affected by a mental health condition every year. And more than 1 out of 10 takes an antidepressant medication.
If you have a condition like major depressive disorder (depression) or generalized anxiety disorder, a healthcare professional may recommend Lexapro (escitalopram) as part of your treatment plan. This prescription-only medication is FDA approved to treat depression and anxiety. It’s a first-choice antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class that works by raising serotonin levels.
The pharmacy you choose, your insurance coverage, and other factors will determine how much you pay for Lexapro. Fortunately, there are ways to save on your medication, including using a GoodRx coupon.
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How much does Lexapro cost without insurance?
Without insurance, 30 tablets of Lexapro 10 mg cost an average of $575.26. But if you buy the generic version, escitalopram, you may be able to pay about $46.20 at some pharmacies.
The table below lists the average retail price for different forms and doses of Lexapro at some pharmacies.
Lexapro version | Quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 30 tablets | 5 mg | |
Brand name | 30 tablets | 10 mg | |
Brand name | 30 tablets | 20 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 5 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 10 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 20 mg | |
Generic | 30 mL oral solution (liquid) | 5 mg/5 mL |
Which factors affect the cost of Lexapro?
Your actual cost depends on several factors, including:
Pharmacy: The price of Lexapro often varies among different pharmacies — even pharmacies on the same block. GoodRx can help you compare prices in your area to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Insurance coverage: Even if you have insurance coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs when filling your Lexapro prescription. Review your plan’s formulary and coverage to find out how much of the costs your insurer will cover.
Quantity: Pharmacies usually dispense a 1-month supply of Lexapro at a time. But if you can buy a 90-day supply of the medication instead of a 30-day supply, your monthly costs will typically be lower. For example, 30 tablets of Lexapro 10 mg cost an average of $575.26, while 90 tablets would cost about $1629.56, which brings the per-month cost down.
Dosage: A higher dosage of Lexapro may lead to higher costs. For adults and adolescents, the recommended starting dosage is typically 10 mg daily. Your prescriber may increase it to a maximum of 20 mg per day if necessary.
Generic vs. brand name: Lexapro is available in brand-name and generic forms. If you purchase the generic version of Lexapro, you will likely pay less. Generic medications typically cost 80% to 85% less than brand-name medications.
Does insurance cover Lexapro?
Insurance coverage for brand-name Lexapro varies depending on the type of plan. Medicaid covers the highest percentage of enrollees, though most people will need prior authorization.
Medicare rarely covers brand-name Lexapro. Commercial insurance covers nearly half of enrollees, while about 1 in 5 people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage. In some cases, enrollees may also need prior authorization or step therapy (trying generic escitalopram or other lower-cost alternatives first) before receiving coverage for brand-name Lexapro.
Most insurance plans cover generic escitalopram. Nearly everyone enrolled in Medicaid has coverage, and prior authorization is rarely required. Nearly 9 in 10 people with ACA marketplace plans have coverage, while almost everyone with commercial insurance or Medicare also has coverage. Prior authorization is generally not required under these plans.
To find out how your plan covers brand-name Lexapro or generic escitalopram, check your health plan’s formulary or contact your insurer directly.
How different insurance plans cover Lexapro
The tables below show how likely it is that brand-name Lexapro and generic escitalopram will be covered by different types of insurance plans. They also show whether prior authorization or step therapy might be required.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for brand-name Lexapro 10 mg tablet | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
18.8% | 11.8% | 0.4% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 47.4% | 13.1% | 13.9% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 6.3% | 1% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 72.4% | 3.4% |
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for generic escitalopram 10 mg tablet | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 86.3% | 0% | 0% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 98.6% | 0% | 0.1% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 96.8% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 6.5% | 0% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of June 13, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Save money on medication costs. Here are several ways to lower your prescription medication costs.
Can you pay for Lexapro with your HSA? See how to use your health savings account (HSA) to cover Lexapro (escitalopram) and other eligible expenses.
Wondering about side effects? From nausea to sexual problems, here are some Lexapro side effects to watch for.
If your insurance does not cover brand-name Lexapro, consider these options:
Ask your prescriber about switching to the generic version of the medication or a different medication that may be covered by your insurance.
Request a formulary exception for brand-name Lexapro from your insurance company. This is a special request asking them to cover brand-name Lexapro in your case.
If the exception is denied, you can file an appeal.
During the next open enrollment, choose an insurance plan that offers better coverage for your medication needs.
Ways to save on Lexapro
Below, we discuss four ways to save on Lexapro, with or without insurance.
1. Get a free GoodRx discount
Prescription discount cards and coupons can lower your medication expenses. For example, GoodRx offers free discounts for a wide range of medications, including brand-name Lexapro and its generic version (escitalopram). The table below shows what you may pay for different forms and doses of Lexapro and escitalopram with a GoodRx discount.
Lexapro version | Quantity and form | Dose | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 30 tablets | 5 mg | |
Brand name | 30 tablets | 10 mg | |
Brand name | 30 tablets | 20 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 5 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 10 mg | |
Generic | 30 tablets | 20 mg | |
Generic | 30 mL oral solution | 5 mg/5 mL |
To access a free GoodRx discount:
Download the GoodRx app or log on to www.goodrx.com.
Use the search function to find Lexapro.
Set your location to view coupons in your area.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you fill your prescription to apply the discount. Ideally, this is done before the prescription is filled.
It’s worthwhile to compare the amount of your insurance copay with the price you would pay with a GoodRx discount. In certain situations, using a GoodRx discount might help you save more money than if you use insurance.
2. Ask about the generic version or lower-cost alternatives
The generic version of Lexapro, escitalopram, is available in pharmacies. Generic medications are typically more affordable than brand-name medications, and they are made to work the same way. You can also talk to your prescriber about alternative SSRIs that may be covered by insurance.
3. Use your tax-advantaged health funds
If you have access to a tax-advantaged health account, such as a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can use the funds to pay for prescription medication like Lexapro. HSA funds do not expire, so you can use them for qualified medical expenses now or in the future. FSA funds, on the other hand, usually must be used by the plan’s deadline or you’ll lose them. You can pay directly at the pharmacy with your HSA or FSA card, or save your receipt and submit it for reimbursement.
4. Request a 90-day supply
You may be able to request a 90-day supply of Lexapro once you’re on a stable dose. Ask a healthcare professional if this option is available for you.
Some insurance plans lower copays when you fill a 90-day (3-month) supply of medication, and certain pharmacies may offer cash discounts for larger fills. If you’re insured, you could also find extra savings by using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.
The bottom line
Lexapro (escitalopram) can cost about $575.26 for 30 tablets of brand-name Lexapro 10 mg without insurance or discounts. The price you’ll pay out of pocket will depend on your location, the pharmacy you choose, and other factors.
Some insurance plans cover brand-name Lexapro but you may need prior authorization or step therapy (trying generic escitalopram or other lower-cost alternatives first) before receiving coverage. With or without insurance, you can save on your medication by using a GoodRx discount and comparing prices at different pharmacies.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of June 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Brody, D. J., et al. (2020). Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018. National Center for Health Statistics.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2023). Mental health by the numbers.
