Citalopram is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat depression. Citalopram is also available as the brand-name drug Celexa.

Citalopram is used in adults to treat major depressive disorder, also called depression.

Citalopram is taken by mouth and comes as a tablet, capsule, and liquid solution.

For more details on citalopram, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for citalopram 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 citalopram, 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 citalopram. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss citalopram in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If citalopram requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether citalopram requires prior authorization.

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

What’s the cost of citalopram without insurance?

The cost of citalopram without insurance depends on several factors. These include:

  • your dosage
  • the form you take (tablet, capsule, or liquid solution)
  • your chosen pharmacy
  • whether you qualify for any cost-saving programs for citalopram

Typically, the cost of citalopram without insurance will be more than the price with insurance.

To find out how much you’ll pay for citalopram, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read about cost-saving resources in the “Can I get help paying for citalopram?” section below.

Do certain strengths of citalopram oral tablet, such as 20 mg or 40 mg, have different prices?

Yes, different strengths of citalopram may vary in cost. But the price of a 40-milligram (mg) citalopram tablet shouldn’t be much different than the price of a 20-mg tablet.

Other factors that may affect what you pay for citalopram include:

  • your dosage
  • your insurance coverage or whether you’re paying out of pocket
  • the quantity of citalopram you’re prescribed, such as a 30-day or 90-day supply
  • whether you qualify for any cost-saving programs

To learn more about the price of certain strengths of citalopram, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Citalopram is a generic drug. This means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug, but it usually costs less.

Citalopram comes in a brand-name version called Celexa. To find out how the costs of Celexa and citalopram compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed citalopram and you’re interested in taking Celexa instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

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 citalopram 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 citalopram if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of citalopram. 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 citalopram. 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 citalopram 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 citalopram, 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 citalopram.

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

  • Do citalopram tablets cost more than the liquid solution?
  • Are there lower-cost treatment options for my condition?
  • Would getting a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply lower the cost of citalopram?

To learn more about citalopram, 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.