How Much is Venlafaxine Without Insurance?

Venlafaxine (Effexor) and venlafaxine extended-release (Effexor XR) are FDA-approved antidepressant medications that treat major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Healthcare professionals may also prescribe venlafaxine off-label for fibromyalgia, migraines, menopause-related hot flashes, and more. 

Venlafaxine comes in several forms, including immediate-release (IR) tablets, extended-release (ER) tablets, and ER capsules. The price of venlafaxine will depend on your dosage, pharmacy, and other factors. Although brand-name Effexor is no longer prescribed in the U.S., generic versions are still available. 

How much does venlafaxine cost?   

Without insurance, venlafaxine can cost around $43.82 for 30 tablets of 75 mg at some pharmacies. The dosage and formulation you need will depend on the reason you are taking the medication. For example, if you are taking venlafaxine ER for panic disorder, your prescriber may start you off with 37.5 mg once daily, which can cost you $67.98 for 30 capsules.     

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What factors affect the cost of venlafaxine?

If you don’t have health insurance, the retail price of venlafaxine depends on many factors, including:

• Location: According to GoodRx research, prescription medication costs can be lower in major U.S. cities, such as Houston and Atlanta. However, residents in some cities, such as New York, may pay more than the national average.

• Pharmacy: Even pharmacies on the same block may have different contract arrangements, which can affect your costs.

• Dosage: Venlafaxine is available in various dosages and forms. Extended-release capsules are available in doses of 37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg. You can get immediate-release tablets in doses of 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, or 100 mg. If you get extended-release tablets, you’ll find doses available in 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 112.5 mg, 150 mg and 225 mg. The dosage and quantity you need will affect how much you pay. 

• Fill frequency: A 90-day supply may cost less than three 30-day prescriptions.

Does insurance cover venlafaxine?

Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments — including medications such as venlafaxine — but coverage varies. Check your summary of benefits and coverage and your plan’s formulary to determine whether generic venlafaxine is covered. 

Medicaid programs generally cover venlafaxine, but this can vary based on your state's specific program. For instance, generic venlafaxine IR tablets and venlafaxine ER capsules are listed as preferred medications under Texas state Medicaid programs. All Medicare Part D prescription plans are required to cover most antidepressants, but each plan can decide which specific medications to cover.

If generic venlafaxine isn’t covered by your insurance, here are a few options to consider: 

• Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.

• Ask for an exception from your prescription plan, though you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.

• File an appeal with your health plan.

• Reconsider your prescription plan during your next open enrollment period.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Venlafaxine is an SNRI. Unlike selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) affect multiple neurotransmitters that can play a role in your mood. 

• Some healthcare professionals prescribe it for hot flashes. Venlafaxine is not FDA-approved for treating menopause symptoms, but it is sometimes prescribed off-label for hot flashes.

• Potential interactions raise your risk of side effects. Alcohol, blood thinners, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are just a few venlafaxine interactions to be aware of.  

Ways to save on venlafaxine

Here are seven ways to save on generic venlafaxine without insurance.

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

With a GoodRx coupon, you may pay a lower price for generic venlafaxine. The table below shows the latest GoodRx prices for 30 tablets of different generic venlafaxine IR tablet doses. 

If you purchase generic venlafaxine ER, you could pay around $12.75 for 30 capsules of 150 mg using a GoodRx coupon. However, prices can vary depending on the form and dosage you need. 

Here’s how to use a free GoodRx coupon:

• Go to https://www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your phone.

• Type “venlafaxine” in the search field. Be sure to select “venlafaxine (generic)” in the drop-down menu.

• Choose the correct dosage and quantity, and make sure your location is correct.

• Select the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled, and you’ll receive a coupon you can print, text, or email.

• Show the coupon at the pharmacy to receive your discount when you pick up your prescription.

2. Take Advantage of the Effexor XR Savings Card

You could pay as little as $4 per month for your prescription with the Effexor XR Savings Card. You must meet these conditions to qualify:

• You have insurance provided by your employer or purchased directly by you.

• You are not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other state or federal healthcare program.

• You are uninsured.

• You are 18 years or older.

The Effexor XR Savings Card is only applicable to the brand-name Effexor XR, and you pay for your prescription out-of-pocket. Eligible individuals could save up to $1,800 a year.

3. Request a 90-day supply

Depending on your insurance, getting a 90-day supply might be a better value than filling your prescription every month. Ask your healthcare professional to prescribe a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply to compare costs.

4. Consider a mail-order pharmacy

Your health plan may offer discounts or provide cost-saving incentives for using its mail-order pharmacy.

5. Split your venlafaxine IR pills if it’s safe to do so 

Not all pills should be divided, but venlafaxine IR tablets are scored to be split, which can extend your medication supply. For example, if you take 37.5 mg of venlafaxine once daily, getting a prescription for 75 mg tablets would give you two doses per tablet. This means a 30-day supply of 75 mg tablets could last you 60 days.

Splitting is not safe for venlafaxine ER tablets or capsules. These are designed to release the medication slowly over 24 hours. If they are cut or split, they could release too much medication at once, leading to a dangerously high dose.

6. Compare prices at various pharmacies 

GoodRx can help you easily compare the cost of venlafaxine at various pharmacies near you, to find the best price in your area. 

7. Tap into your FSA or HSA funds

If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), using these funds on your venlafaxine prescription may help reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.

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Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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