Prozac (fluoxetine) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for specific mental health conditions and eating disorders. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.

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

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

To find out what the cost of Prozac 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 Prozac prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

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Prozac’s active ingredient is fluoxetine. Prozac is available in a generic version as the drug fluoxetine. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Prozac and you’re interested in taking fluoxetine instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version over 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 fluoxetine compares with the cost of Prozac, 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 Prozac 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 Prozac. 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

This drug may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using a mail-order pharmacy may help lower Prozac’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 Prozac, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called the Lilly Cares Foundation is available for Prozac. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 800-545-6962 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.

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

How much does Prozac cost with insurance vs. without it?

The price of Prozac if you have insurance compared with how much you’d pay without it depends on several factors. The same can be said for the generic version (fluoxetine). Factors that could affect what you pay for the drug without insurance include:

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

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

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

To learn more about drug pricing with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

How do the prices of 10-mg, 20-mg, and 40-mg Prozac capsules compare?

This can vary. Sometimes, prices can differ for different strengths of Prozac. This can also be true for different strengths of the generic drug (fluoxetine). Some factors likely to affect the difference in cost are:

  • the pharmacy that fills your prescription
  • the insurance you use to cover the prescription (if you have insurance)

For pricing details about the specific strength prescribed to you, ask your pharmacist.

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

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

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.