How to Save Money on Common Antidepressants
high drug prices
If you’re taking antidepressants, you’re not alone. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 13% of Americans over the age of 18 reported taking some type of antidepressant in the past month. This number increased from 2009 to 2018.
Given global events in 2009 and 2018 (a global recession, multiple hurricanes that caused extreme damage, tanking retirement accounts, and massive unemployment), the idea that people were struggling with their mental health may not seem particularly shocking.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, more women reported taking antidepressants than men, which could very well be a matter of stigma and the bias of self-reporting.
Again, perhaps unsurprisingly, antidepressant use increased substantially with age in both men and women, going up to about 24%.
Because there is still a lot of stigma surrounding therapy, many people feel uncomfortable talking about their need for mental health support — let alone the need for medication. Even when people can admit that they’re seeking therapy, they sometimes have difficulty admitting that they take antidepressants.
But people taking antidepressants need them. For a massive variety of reasons, these medications are helpful and can improve someone’s quality of life. Not to mention that stopping them abruptly without stepping down the dosage can be dangerous, which means it’s imperative that people taking these medications have access to them.
Here are some of the most common types of antidepressants and how you can save money on your prescription.
Wellbutrin XL
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion extended release) is one of the most popular antidepressants on the market, in part because it’s been around for a long time, so people feel comfortable with it, but also because it has been approved for more than one use. In some cases, it’s prescribed as a smoking cessation agent.
Wellbutrin XL — and most other antidepressants, for that matter — are based around the idea that certain neurotransmitters need to be more abundant in the brain in order to work the way they’re supposed to. Specifically, Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), which is different from most antidepressants. NDRIs boost norepinephrine and dopamine, but don't affect serotonin.
Bupropion extended release stops the reabsorption of these chemicals so the brain has more of them, which should help combat depression.
It may not be surprising that Wellbutrin XL is extremely expensive in the United States. A 30-day supply of brand name Wellbutrin XL starts at about $1,650.00 ($55.00 per pill).
Of course, at NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell Wellbutrin XL for about $122.00 — for a 90-day supply ($1.36 per pill).
Lexapro
Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is another very common antidepressant. It’s in a class of medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which means the medication blocks the reabsorption of serotonin so that the brain has more of this essential hormone that affects mood.
Lexapro is used to treat both depression and generalized anxiety disorder. In Canada, it’s called Cipralex.
In the United States, brand name Lexapro is rather costly, though not nearly as much as Wellbutrin XL. A 30-day supply of Lexapro starts at about $430.00 ($14.33 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell a 30-day supply for closer to $50.00 ($1.67 per pill). Based on the dosage, the price can increase from there, but remains far below the U.S. price.
Effexor XR
Effexor XR (venlafaxine XR, extended release) is a common antidepressant, at least in part because it’s versatile. If someone experiences depression, as well as anxiety and struggles with panic attacks, Effexor XR may be a good option for them.
Effexor XR is in a class of medication called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs, also abbreviated to SNRIs), which is a combination of two different classes. SSNRIs prevent the body from reabsorbing both serotonin and norepinephrine so that the brain can use them for a mood boost.
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of Effexor XR starts at about $500.00 ($16.67 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell an 84-day supply of Effexor XR for about $111.00 ($1.32 per pill).
Prozac
Prozac (fluoxetine) is one of the most common types of antidepressants — it’s definitely a well-known brand. Fluoxetine is approved for the treatment of depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Like Lexapro, Prozac is an SSRI.
Prozac is most commonly taken in daily pill form, but it also comes in a weekly pill and a liquid (ideal for people who have trouble swallowing pills, particularly the elderly or children under the age of 8).
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of brand name Prozac begins at about $550.00 ($18.33 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell a 100-day supply of brand name Prozac for about $300.00 ($3.00 per pill).
Pristiq
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate) is another type of SNRI approved for the treatment of depression but is also used to treat anxiety and panic disorders (in addition to hot flashes during menopause).
Oftentimes, SNRIs like Pristiq are prescribed for people who have not had success with SSRIs — the thought process being that perhaps the person needs a boost in norepinephrine as well as serotonin.
In the U.S., you can expect to pay about $486.00 for a 30-day supply of brand name Pristiq ($16.20 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell a 30-day supply of brand name Pristiq for about $164.00 ($5.47 per pill).
Cymbalta
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a common antidepressant classified as an SNRI. Not only is it approved to treat depression, it’s commonly prescribed for people suffering from anxiety, nerve pain, and fibromyalgia, which is a generic term for widespread chronic pain. People with fibromyalgia are three times as likely to experience depression. To make matters worse, depression sometimes presents with chronic pain.
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of Cymbalta starts at about $300.00 ($10.00 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell a 28-day supply for about $88.00 ($3.14 per pill).
Anafranil
Anafranil (clomipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant (also called a cyclic antidepressant), which works in the same way (by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin and noradrenaline). However, tricyclic antidepressants are among the oldest in this class of drugs and often come with more side effects.
Anafranil has been approved to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
In the U.S. a 30-day supply of brand name Anafranil starts at about $1,120.00 ($37.33 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell the same 30-day supply of brand name Anafranil for about $28.00 ($0.93 per pill).
The generic version is far more affordable ($20.00 — $0.67 per pill — versus $1,120.00), but still more expensive than at NorthWestPharmacy.com. We sell an 84-day supply for just $36.00 ($0.43 per pill).
Trintellix (Brintellix)
Trintellix (vortioxetine hydrobromide), also known as Brintellix, is an SSRI, but is also considered a multimodal medication. Multimodal medications combine methods of symptom relief, and are most often used for pain. In this case, Trintellix is targeting serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine receptors, rather than just one.
Being one of the newest medications on this list, Trintellix is still pretty expensive and there is no generic alternative. In the U.S., Trintellix starts at about $480.00 for a 30-day supply ($16.00 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, Trintellix starts at about $293.00 for a 28-day supply ($10.46 per pill).
Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI that is prescribed for many disorders, including depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because it’s so versatile, sertraline is an incredibly common antidepressant.
In the U.S., the cash price for a 30-day supply of Zoloft starts at about $429.00 ($14.30 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can purchase a 28-day supply of Zoloft starting at about $52.00 ($1.86 per pill).
Parnate Tranylcypromine
Parnate (tranylcypromine) is often prescribed when other medications on the market haven’t worked. Tranylcypromine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, also known as an MAOI. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that helps remove the norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine from the brain. By inhibiting this action, you have more of these essential chemicals that can combat depression.
MAOIs were among the first antidepressants developed and while still considered effective, newer drugs are safer and come with fewer side effects.
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of generic tranylcypromine starts at about $120.00 ($4.00 per pill).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell a 100-day supply of brand name Parnate for just $72.00 ($0.72 per pill).
Viibryd
Viibryd (vilazodone) is one of the newest antidepressants on this list, and thanks to pharmaceutical innovation, it also works a little bit differently. Viibryd is an SSRI, but it also partially blocks activity in another serotonin receptor (5-HT1A). As a result, the 5-HT1A receptor is desensitized, which means that more serotonin is released.
In the U.S., a 30-day supply of Viibryd starts at about $350.00 ($11.67 per pill). Because it’s still relatively new, there is no generic currently available.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we sell the same 30-day supply for about $170.00 ($5.67 per pill).
Finding the Right Antidepressant for You
Because each antidepressant is formulated differently (SSRIs versus SNRIs versus multimodal medications), it’s a common occurrence that people need to try more than one medication before finding one that works for them.
The chemicals in our brains all perform different functions and can affect our moods and physical symptoms in different manners. For example, having sufficient levels of serotonin is linked to immune function and sufficient levels of dopamine is linked to memory.
Given that antidepressants affect reabsorption of specific chemicals, solutions for the symptoms you’re experiencing may require some trial and error. If the first (or even second) antidepressant doesn’t work for you, try not to get discouraged. It may take some time before you and your doctor find exactly what you need.
Furthermore, it takes time for these medications to have their fully intended effects. Antidepressants can take anywhere from two to three months to plateau in your brain. While it can be frustrating, antidepressants require patience and time.
To that end, you shouldn’t have to spend time and an exorbitant amount of money on medication that you don’t even know will work for you. Regardless of whether you’re ordering antidepressants for the first time or refilling your medication for the 20th time, NorthWestPharmacy.com is here to help.
How an International and Canadian Online Pharmacy Can Help
As you can see, we’re able to sell most medications at a much lower price than what you’ll find in the United States. It’s the exact same medication that you’d buy at your local pharmacy (although the packaging may look different), but you won’t be paying as much for it.
While some people are leery of purchasing their medication from an international online pharmacy, those who buy from reputable online pharmacies, like NorthWestPharmacy.com, have been consistently satisfied with their choice. In fact, they usually come back to order from us again.
We know this because they’ve told us so in reviews on independent review websites like Shopper Approved and Trust Pilot. We’d encourage you to read through their feedback to find out about their experience in purchasing from NorthWestPharmacy.com. We maintain a 4.8/5 overall rating from over 400,000 reviews, making us the most independently reviewed and five-star rated online pharmacy in the world.
One of the most common concerns that we address with our customers is safety. They want to know how they can be sure that they’re getting the medication they’re supposed to receive. This is completely understandable, and we’re proud to say that we’re very committed to your safety. In fact, it’s our number one priority.
Our flawless safety record speaks for itself, but we recognize that we’ll need to earn your trust. Please look through our website for more information, read customer reviews, and then give us a call at 1-866-539-5330.
We’re very proud of our customer service, which includes an actual call center staffed by real humans. Our call center is open seven days a week, and our representatives can help you with anything from answering questions, connecting you with a pharmacist, or helping you place your order. Alternatively, you can email us anytime, day or night. We’ll get back to you ASAP.
We look forward to hearing from you!
