Amitriptyline is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat symptoms of depression in people ages 12 years and older.

For more information about amitriptyline’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about amitriptyline:

Read on to learn about amitriptyline and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of amitriptyline (also called amitriptyline hydrochloride) can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of amitriptyline will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers amitriptyline. This means the company and your doctor will discuss amitriptyline in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether amitriptyline requires prior authorization.

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

Does the cost of amitriptyline vary by strength: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg?

It’s possible the different strengths of amitriptyline tablets will vary in cost. Your cost depends on your treatment plan, the pharmacy you use, and whether you have insurance. Also, the type of insurance coverage you have can affect your price.

If you don’t have insurance, your pharmacist can tell you the price for the available strengths of amitriptyline. The drug’s cost may vary at different pharmacies.

If you have insurance, ask your doctor whether your plan covers amitriptyline and the exact price you’ll pay.

How can I determine the cost of amitriptyline without insurance?

Your pharmacist can help determine amitriptyline’s “cash price” without insurance. This is the amount you’ll pay without insurance coverage or any discounts. Amitriptyline may vary in cost at different pharmacies.

Amitriptyline comes in several different strengths, which may vary in cost. Your pharmacist can tell you about the costs without insurance for the 25-milligram (mg), 50-mg, and other strengths of the drug.

For more information on ways to get help paying for amitriptyline, see “Financial and insurance assistance” below.

Amitriptyline is available only as a generic. It doesn’t come in a brand-name version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Amitriptyline was the active ingredient in Elavil, which is no longer available.

Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you take amitriptyline long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

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

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Amitriptyline may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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 financial support to pay for amitriptyline, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and amitriptyline, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to amitriptyline. 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.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.