Lexapro (escitalopram) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in certain people. For more information about Lexapro’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about Lexapro:

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

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

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

To find out what the prescription cost of Lexapro 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 Lexapro. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Lexapro 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 Lexapro requires prior authorization.

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

Can my pharmacist determine Lexapro’s cost with and without insurance?

Yes, your pharmacist can help determine Lexapro’s cost with and without insurance. You can also reach out to your doctor or insurance company.

Your pharmacist can tell you what your out-of-pocket cost for Lexapro will be. This is the portion of the prescription cost that your insurance doesn’t cover.

If you don’t have insurance, talk with your pharmacist about Lexapro’s cash price. This is the cost without any discounts or insurance coverage. Note that the cost of medications without insurance is typically more than the cost with insurance.

If you need help paying for Lexapro, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

Do prices differ for 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg Lexapro tablets?

The price of 5-milligram (mg), 10-mg, and 20-mg Lexapro tablets may differ slightly depending on several factors. These include the pharmacy you use, your treatment plan, and whether you have insurance.

To find out the price of Lexapro tablets, talk with your pharmacist. The cost of Lexapro tablets can vary at different pharmacies. You can also reach out to your doctor or insurance company.

How do the costs of brand-name Lexapro tablets and the generic liquid oral solution compare?

The cost of brand-name Lexapro tablets will likely differ from the cost of generic (escitalopram) liquid oral solution.* This is because of several factors.

Brand-name drugs often cost more than generic drugs. But Lexapro tablets and escitalopram oral solution are different forms, so their dosing schedules may vary. This means you may take tablets more or less often than an oral solution, requiring more or less of the medication. (Lexapro isn’t available as an oral solution.)

The cost of Lexapro tablets and escitalopram oral solution may also depend on the pharmacy you use and whether you have insurance. For the exact price you’ll pay, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider. You should also talk with your doctor to see which drug and form is right for you.

* If you’re interested in taking escitalopram, see the “Brand-name vs. generic drugs” section below.

The active ingredient of Lexapro is escitalopram. It’s available as the generic drug escitalopram. A generic drug is considered as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Lexapro and you’re interested in taking escitalopram instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer 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 this generic drug compares with the cost of Lexapro, 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 Lexapro 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 Lexapro. 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

Lexapro 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 Lexapro, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called myAbbVie Assist is available for Lexapro. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-222-6885 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

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

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Lexapro, you may still have some questions. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Lexapro. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Lexapro.

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.