Last updated: March 2026
How Much Does Citalopram Cost?
Cost Breakdown by Type
| Type / Procedure | Without Insurance | With Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Citalopram 10mg (generic) | $4 – $10 | $0 – $4 |
| Citalopram 20mg (generic) | $4 – $12 | $0 – $5 |
| Citalopram 40mg (generic) | $4 – $15 | $0 – $6 |
What Affects the Cost
- Brand-name vs. generic availability
- Insurance formulary tier placement
- Pharmacy choice (retail vs. mail-order vs. Costco)
- Manufacturer savings cards and coupons
- Dosage and quantity prescribed
- Geographic location
Insurance Coverage
Typical coverage: Tier 1 generic — SSRI antidepressant; very affordable first-line option
Most insurance plans use a tiered formulary: Tier 1 (generic) $0-$15 copay, Tier 2 (preferred brand) $25-$75, Tier 3 (non-preferred brand) $50-$150, Tier 4 (specialty) $100-$500+. Prior authorization may be required for certain medications. Step therapy may require trying cheaper alternatives first.
How to Save Money
- Always ask for generic when available — saves 50-90%
- Use GoodRx, RxSaver, or similar discount cards
- Costco pharmacy is open to non-members and often has lowest prices
- Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs offers transparent low pricing
- Manufacturer patient assistance programs provide free medication to qualifying patients
- HSA/FSA funds can cover medication costs tax-free
Related Procedures & Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Generic citalopram costs $4 to $15 per month without insurance. It is one of the cheapest SSRI antidepressants and is available at virtually all $4 generic programs.
Citalopram is the parent drug, while escitalopram (Lexapro) is the purified active form (S-enantiomer). Escitalopram may have slightly fewer side effects, but citalopram is cheaper and equally effective for most patients.
The FDA limits citalopram to 40mg daily (20mg for patients over 60) due to dose-dependent QT prolongation, a heart rhythm concern. This is lower than some other SSRIs.