Duloxetine is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in adults to treat:

Duloxetine is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder in adults as well as children ages 7 years and older. For more information about duloxetine’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about duloxetine:

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

As with all medications, the cost of duloxetine 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 duloxetine will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Insurance considerations

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

Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers duloxetine. This means the company and your doctor will discuss duloxetine 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 duloxetine requires prior authorization.

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

Does the price of duloxetine depend on whether I take the 20-mg, 30-mg, 40-mg, or 60-mg strength?

It’s possible. Duloxetine comes in different strengths that may vary slightly in price. The price can depend on factors such as the pharmacy you use and the type of insurance coverage you have.

For the exact cost of the strength of duloxetine prescribed to you, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist. They can also tell you the prices of the other strengths of the drug.

Your pharmacist may also have information about duloxetine copay assistance programs or coupons offered for the brand-name versions of duloxetine. (The brand-names are Cymbalta and Drizalma Sprinkle.) If you’re interested in a brand-name version of duloxetine, talk with your doctor to learn more.

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

How can I figure out the cost of duloxetine without insurance?

Your pharmacist can provide you with the cost of duloxetine without insurance. The price for the drug may vary based on factors such as which pharmacy you use and your treatment plan.

To find out more about how to pay for duloxetine, refer to “Financial and insurance assistance” below.

Duloxetine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Duloxetine is available as the brand-name drugs Cymbalta and Drizalma Sprinkle. If your doctor has prescribed duloxetine and you’re interested in taking Cymbalta or Drizalma Sprinkle instead, talk with them. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of these brand-name drugs compare with the cost of duloxetine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you take duloxetine 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 duloxetine. 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

Duloxetine 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 duloxetine, 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 duloxetine, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to duloxetine. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for duloxetine.

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.