If you’re looking at treatment options for depression, you may want to learn more about amitriptyline.

Amitriptyline is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat major depressive disorder, commonly called depression, in adults and some children. This drug is not available over the counter.

Amitriptyline belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. It only comes as a tablet that you swallow. It isn’t available in other forms, such as a liquid solution.

Keep reading for details on amitriptyline and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on amitriptyline, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for amitriptyline can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for amitriptyline, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover amitriptyline. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss amitriptyline in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered.

If amitriptyline requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug. So be sure to ask your insurance company whether amitriptyline requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about amitriptyline and cost.

Is the price of amitriptyline 25-mg tablets more than the 10-mg tablets?

It’s possible. Amitriptyline tablets come in several strengths, with 10 milligrams (mg) and 25 mg on the low end of the range. Your cost of amitriptyline may vary depending on what strength you take. It may also depend on how many tablets your doctor prescribes.

If you have prescription coverage, ask your insurance provider if amitriptyline is covered and what you’ll pay with your plan. If you don’t have insurance, ask your pharmacist what the cash price is for the drug. This is the amount you’ll pay without any discounts.

What is amitriptyline’s price without insurance?

It can vary depending on several factors, including the pharmacy you use.

If you don’t have insurance that covers prescription drugs, ask your pharmacist what amitriptyline’s cash price is. That’s the amount you’ll pay without any discounts.

If you’re having difficulty paying for your amitriptyline prescription, see the “Can I get help paying for amoxicillin?” section below for a few resources.

Amitriptyline only comes as a generic drug. It’s not currently available in a brand-name version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Elavil, a brand-name version of amitriptyline, used to be available but has been discontinued.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive.

The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take amitriptyline long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of amitriptyline if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of amitriptyline. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for amitriptyline. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of amitriptyline or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of amitriptyline, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for amitriptyline.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will the number of tablets I’m prescribed affect the cost?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my depression?
  • What can I do if I can’t afford my medication?

To learn more about amitriptyline, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.