Key takeaways:
Sertraline (Zoloft) is a medication that treats depression and other mental health conditions. Without insurance, the average retail cost of sertraline 50 mg is $30.94 for 30 tablets.
Factors such as the dose you’re taking and the pharmacy you use can affect your out-of-pocket costs for sertraline.
There are ways to save on Zoloft and generic sertraline. GoodRx can help you access brand-name Zoloft at an exclusive cash price. You could also save on generic sertraline by using a GoodRx coupon or signing up for GoodRx Companion.
Save on related medications
Sertraline is the generic version of the brand-name medication Zoloft. It’s an FDA-approved antidepressant that’s used to treat certain mental health conditions. Sertraline is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid solution forms.
Sertraline is generally affordable since it’s a generic medication. But your exact out-of-pocket costs will depend on factors like your insurance status, dosage, and pharmacy. Below are details on how much sertraline costs without insurance and ways you can save on your prescription.
How much does sertraline cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the average cost of 30 tablets of sertraline 50 mg (a common dose) is $30.94. Other doses and formulations vary in price.
Search and compare options
Most people take sertraline once a day. It’s available as tablets, capsules, and an oral solution (liquid). You can also find it as a generic or brand-name medication. Keep in mind that generic sertraline typically costs less than brand-name Zoloft.
Below are average retail prices for different doses and forms of generic sertraline and brand-name Zoloft.
Generic Sertraline Prices
Medication name and dose | Quantity and dosage form | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
Generic sertraline 25 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 50 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 100 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 150 mg | 30 capsules | |
Generic sertraline 200 mg | 30 capsules | |
Generic sertraline 20 mg/mL oral solution | 60 mL bottle |
Brand-Name Zoloft Prices
What factors affect the cost of sertraline?
Many factors can affect your out-of-pocket costs, including:
Pharmacy: The cost of sertraline can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, even within the same city. This is due to pharmacy and wholesaler markups.
Location: According to GoodRx research, prescription medications are more expensive in certain parts of the country. For example, people living in Little Rock, Arkansas, often pay more for their medications than people living in Houston.
Insurance: If you have insurance that covers sertraline, your out-of-pocket costs will likely be lower. But you may still have expenses like copays or coinsurance.
Generic versus brand-name version: Generic sertraline generally costs less than brand-name Zoloft. Typically, pharmacists automatically dispense generic medications unless prescribers specify otherwise. If you’re taking brand-name Zoloft, ask your prescriber whether it’d be OK to switch to the generic, if it’s less expensive for you.
Dose: Your sertraline dose may change over time. You’ll likely begin with a low dose, which will be adjusted as needed. Prices for sertraline can vary by dose.
Form: Prices also vary by dosage form. So what you pay may be affected by whether you’re taking the tablets, capsules, or liquid.
Discounts: You may be able to save on sertraline through a discount program like GoodRx.
Does insurance cover sertraline?
Insurance plans often cover sertraline, but coverage varies by plan.
In some cases, your prescriber may need to complete a prior authorization request. This involves submitting information to your insurance provider about why you need the medication. While uncommon, some plans also require step therapy. If you’re subject to this requirement, you may need to try other medications before your plan covers sertraline.
Check your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) and summary of benefits and coverage. These documents can help you determine if sertraline is covered and how much it may cost you. If you’re unsure, call the phone number listed on the back of your prescription insurance card.
How different insurance plans cover sertraline
The table below breaks down the percentage of enrollees who have coverage for sertraline 100 mg by insurance type. It also shows the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for sertraline 100 mg tablets | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans | 85.5% | 0% | 0.3% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 98.9% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 96.7% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 13.6% | 0.1% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of June 13, 2025. (See methodology below.)
What to do if sertraline isn’t covered by your insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover sertraline, try these options:
Use GoodRx discounts. You may be able to lower your costs with free GoodRx coupons (covered below) or by signing up for GoodRx Companion.
Ask for a formulary exception. You can ask your insurance company to make an exception and cover sertraline. If your request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal to challenge the decision.
Explore other insurance options. During the next open enrollment period, compare plans to see if another one offers better coverage for sertraline or similar medications.
Ask your prescriber about sertraline alternatives
If your insurance plan won’t pay for sertraline or your copay is too high, ask your prescriber about alternatives. Sertraline is part of a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Your plan may offer better coverage for a different SSRI.
Examples of other SSRIs include:
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Ways to save money on sertraline
Here are five potential ways to save money on sertraline.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
GoodRx could help you save on the cost of Zoloft and generic sertraline. Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use a GoodRx discount to purchase a 30-day supply of brand-name Zoloft tablets at an exclusive cash price. There’s also an exclusive discount for brand-name Zoloft liquid.
What’s more, you may be able to save over 80% on generic sertraline through GoodRx. For instance, 30 tablets of sertraline 50 mg may cost as little as $9.90 with a GoodRx coupon.
You may be able to save even more on sertraline with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 200 medications are available for free, with hundreds more for under $10. The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs. You’ll have access to lower prices for online care visits and discounts on dental care and other health services.
The table below shows what you may pay for different doses and formulations of sertraline with a GoodRx coupon.
Medication name and dose | Quantity and dosage form | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
Generic sertraline 25 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 50 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 100 mg | 30 tablets | |
Generic sertraline 150 mg | 30 capsules | |
Generic sertraline 200 mg | 30 capsules | |
Generic sertraline 20 mg/mL oral solution | 60 mL bottle |
To get your free coupon:
Go to www.goodrx.com or open the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Zoloft” or “sertraline” in the search bar.
Click “Start saving,” or tap or click return.
Select the correct dose, formulation, and quantity, along with your location.
Choose to get your coupon by text or email, or print it out.
If possible, show the coupon to your pharmacy staff before they fill your prescription to avoid delays.
Keep in mind: GoodRx savings may vary by pharmacy and geographic location. The GoodRx website and app can help you compare prices in your area.
2. See if you qualify for Zoloft’s copay savings card
If you have commercial insurance or are uninsured, you may be eligible to save on brand-name Zoloft with a manufacturer copay savings card. With this card, you could pay as little as $4 per month for Zoloft. This program offers a maximum savings of $150 per month and $1,800 per calendar year.
To qualify for the copay savings card, you must:
Be at least 18
Live in the U.S. (excluding Massachusetts and California) or Puerto Rico
You can use this card along with commercial insurance to help lower your copay. You can also use it if you’re uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover Zoloft.
If you have government-funded insurance, such as Medicare, you can still use the card. But you can’t combine your coverage with the savings card. You’d have to use the manufacturer discount instead of requesting reimbursement from your insurance provider.
You can sign up for the card online. If you have questions, call 1-855-220-9547.
3. See if you qualify for a copay savings card for sertraline capsules
A copay savings card is also available for sertraline capsules. If you have commercial insurance that covers sertraline, you could pay as little as $10 per month for the medication.
If you’re eligible, this coupon will be automatically applied by your pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist for more details on eligibility requirements. Keep in mind that not all pharmacies may participate in this manufacturer copay savings program.
4. Ask for a 90-day supply
Some pharmacies and insurance providers offer a discount when you purchase a 3-month supply instead of three 1-month supplies. This may lower your monthly sertraline costs over time. Plus, it reduces the number of trips you need to make to the pharmacy.
Some insurance providers may also charge a lower copay or coinsurance amount if you use a preferred mail-order pharmacy to fill a 3-month supply.
5. Use your HSA, FSA, or HRA funds
Consider using funds from a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to purchase sertraline. These accounts let you use pretax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses, including prescription medications. This can help you lower your spending through tax savings.
Just be sure to review your account’s rules regarding expiration dates. FSA dollars typically have an expiration date. But HSA funds roll over and can be saved for later. HRA dollars may or may not expire, depending on the account.
Frequently asked questions
The most common side effects of sertraline include:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Trouble sleeping
Fatigue
Increased sweating
Sertraline works by raising the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that plays a role in regulating mood and anxiety. By boosting serotonin levels, sertraline may help improve symptoms of depression.
Sertraline has several pros and cons.
On the plus side, sertraline is:
A first-choice medication for depression
FDA approved for several mental health conditions
Typically taken once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic
One of the safest antidepressants to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding
As far as the cons, sertraline:
Can take several weeks to start working
May cause digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, when you first start taking it
May cause trouble sleeping
Can cause sexual side effects
Has a moderate risk of long-term weight gain
Can raise your risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood thinners
The most common side effects of sertraline include:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Trouble sleeping
Fatigue
Increased sweating
Sertraline works by raising the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that plays a role in regulating mood and anxiety. By boosting serotonin levels, sertraline may help improve symptoms of depression.
Sertraline has several pros and cons.
On the plus side, sertraline is:
A first-choice medication for depression
FDA approved for several mental health conditions
Typically taken once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic
One of the safest antidepressants to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding
As far as the cons, sertraline:
Can take several weeks to start working
May cause digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, when you first start taking it
May cause trouble sleeping
Can cause sexual side effects
Has a moderate risk of long-term weight gain
Can raise your risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood thinners
The bottom line
Sertraline is the generic version of the brand-name medication Zoloft. Without insurance, 30 tablets of sertraline 50 mg cost $30.94 on average. What you pay for generic sertraline or brand-name Zoloft can depend on several factors. Your location, the pharmacy you use, and the form and dose you take can all affect the price of your prescription.
Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can get brand-name Zoloft at an exclusive cash price through GoodRx. You could also save on generic sertraline by using a GoodRx coupon or signing up for GoodRx Companion.
Why trust our experts?
References
Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY. (2026). Sertraline HCl - sertraline capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
NorthStar Rx. (2024). Sertraline hydrochloride solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Zoloft. (n.d.). Zoloft savings card terms and conditions. Viatris.
