Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a brand-name, delayed-release capsule that’s prescribed for certain mental health conditions and specific pain-related conditions. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.

As with all medications, the cost of Cymbalta can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • the pharmacy you use
  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • whether Cymbalta has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

To find out what the cost of Cymbalta will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Cymbalta prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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Cymbalta is available as the generic drug duloxetine (Cymbalta’s active ingredient). A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. The cost of generic Cymbalta is often less than that of the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed Cymbalta and you’re interested in taking generic duloxetine instead, talk with your doctor. They might prefer one version over the other. You’ll also want to check with your insurance provider (if you have insurance). The insurance may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of duloxetine compares with the cost of Cymbalta, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Cymbalta 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 Cymbalta. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy. It may also help lower Cymbalta’s cost per month.

If you’re interested in getting a 3-month supply, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Cymbalta may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using a mail-order pharmacy may help lower the cost and allow you to receive Cymbalta 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 Cymbalta, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

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

How much does Cymbalta (duloxetine) cost with insurance vs. without it?

This can depend on several factors. Some factors that may affect what you pay for Cymbalta without insurance include:

  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether you are prescribed the brand-name or generic version
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
  • whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs

These same factors may affect your price for Cymbalta if you have insurance. However, the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:

  • your specific insurance plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage

For details about the price you’d pay for Cymbalta with or without insurance, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider (if you have one).

How do the costs of 20-mg, 30-mg, and 60-mg Cymbalta (duloxetine) capsules compare? Does the strength affect how much I’ll pay?

It depends. While it’s not always the case, sometimes the typical strengths of Cymbalta expressed in milligrams (mg) differ slightly in price. This can also include the various strengths of the generic form of Cymbalta.

However, the cost (and any differences in price you notice) may also be influenced by other factors. Your pharmacy, insurance (if you have it), and treatment plan will likely all affect the price you pay.

To learn more about what you’d pay for Cymbalta, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider (if you have one). Your pharmacist can provide more detailed information about the price of your specific prescription.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Cymbalta.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Cymbalta. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Cymbalta 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 Cymbalta requires prior authorization. If you have any questions about the prior authorization process, contact your doctor or insurance provider.

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.