antidepressant

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Financial Check Up

 

How Much Does Depression Cost?

 

Medication cost

 

Therapy cost

 

Self-care

 

Takeaway

 

Depression treatment costs can quickly add up, especially if you don’t have insurance. But getting treated for depression is critical. Here’s what you can expect and possible ways to save.

 

Depression is one of the most commonTrusted Source health conditions in the United States.

 

Untreated chronic depression can interfere with your daily activities and may even impair your ability to:

 

work

 

go to school

 

socialize

 

enjoy your favorite hobbies

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, a mental health professional has likely outlined treatments that can help improve your quality of life. These may range from medication to talk therapy to self-care.

 

StudiesTrusted Source suggest that investing in your mental health now can benefit your financial situation over the long term by improving your overall health and ability to work.

 

Be sure to talk with your healthcare professional about all of the estimated costs upfront. There are ways to save money without sacrificing the important medications, therapies, and other tools that can help you feel better.

 

Medications for depression

 

Antidepressant medications are often recommended to treat depression. They include:

 

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

 

serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

 

monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

 

tricyclic drugs

 

Your doctor will start you off with an antidepressant that they expect will work best for your individual symptoms. They may modify the type or dose if a drug doesn’t effectively reduce symptoms or if you experience certain side effects.

 

Below are estimated costs for some of the most commonly prescribed depression medications withoutinsurance. Note the differences between generic and brand-name medications.*

 

Generic nameAverage cost for 30-day supplyBrand nameAverage cost for 30-day supplybupropion SR/XL (150 mg)£10/££20Wellbutrin SR/XL£228/£1,992duloxetine (60 mg)£10Cymbalta£261fluoxetine (20 mg)£4Prozac£490paroxetine ER (25 mg)£40Paxil CR$233sertraline (50 mg)£7Zoloft £329tranylcypromine (10 mg)£130Parnate£1,271

 

*These costs were based on information derived from www.goodrx.com as of August 2024.

 

The actual price of depression medication depends on:

 

the type of drug prescribed

 

whether you take a generic or brand-name drug

 

your exact dosage

 

your insurance coverage

 

whether you take more than one medication, such as bupropion with an SSRI

 

There are still ways to make antidepressants affordable, even if you’re uninsured or underinsured.

 

You may be able to save money by taking a generic version of a brand-name medication.

 

Many pharmaceutical companies also offer patient assistance programs (PAPs).

 

These programs offer assistance to low-income households in obtaining prescription medications. Ask your doctor for more information, including how to apply.