How Much Is Paxil Without Insurance

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Depression and anxiety affect many people each year. In fact, 29% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives, according to a 2023 Gallup survey. And about 30% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Higher levels of anxiety and depression - particularly among young adults - were reported from 2020 to 2022, during the COVID pandemic.

A variety of treatments and medications have been shown to be effective in helping people manage anxiety and depression. Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a class of medications that increase levels of serotonin in the brain, which help regulate mood. Paxil comes in both immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) forms. The IR form is FDA approved to treat the following conditions:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

• Depression

• Menopause

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Panic disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

The ER form (Paxil CR) is FDA approved to treat depression, SAD, and panic disorder. It also treats premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

The typical adult dosage for Paxil IR is 10 mg to 20 mg once a day in the morning. The dosage can be as high as 60 mg per day, depending on the condition being treated. The typical Paxil CR dosage is 12.5 mg once every morning. The dosage can be increased up to 75 mg per day.

Are brand-name and generic Paxil covered by insurance?

Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments - including medications like generic Paxil - though coverage varies. Check your summary of benefits and coverage and your formulary to determine whether generic Paxil is covered.

If you have Medicare Part D, these prescription drug plans are required to cover nearly all generic antidepressants. Generic Paxil IR tablets and oral suspension are typically covered by all Medicare Part D plans. Generic Paxil CR may be covered as well, but it's not covered by as many Medicare Part D plans as generic Paxil.

It's less likely that brand-name Paxil is covered by your Part D or other insurance plan.

Tips if your medication isn't covered by insurance

Here are a few options if generic or brand-name Paxil is not covered by your insurance:

• Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.

• Ask for an exception from your prescription plan, though you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.

• File an appeal with your health plan.

• Reconsider your prescription plan during your next open enrollment period.

How much does brand-name Paxil cost without insurance?

A number of factors influence the amount you pay for a medication if you don't have an insurance plan that covers prescriptions.

The retail price of brand-name Paxil depends on the following factors:

• Dose and frequency

• Fill amount - 90-day supply versus 30-day supply

• Location

• Pharmacy

The charts below contain recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different brand-name Paxil forms and doses.

How much does generic Paxil cost without insurance?

Generic medications cost less than their brand-name counterparts. The generic alternative to Paxil, paroxetine, is available in the same forms and doses as brand-name Paxil.

The charts below contain recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different generic Paxil dosage forms and doses.

How to afford your Paxil prescription without insurance

If you're prescribed brand-name Paxil, talk to your prescriber about trying generic Paxil. Generic medications are less expensive than brand-name products. But if this isn't an option, here are some tips to afford brand-name Paxil without insurance:

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

With a free GoodRx coupon, you may be able to find a lower price for Paxil prescriptions.

Here's how to get a coupon:

• Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.

• Type "Paxil" in the search field. Be sure to select "Paxil (brand-name)" in the drop-down menu, otherwise the page will show you prices for generic Paxil (paroxetine).

• Press return on your keyboard, or click on "Find the lowest prices."

• Receive your coupon via text or email, or print it.

• Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your Paxil prescription.

2. Request a 90-day supply

Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Paxil instead of a 30-day supply. Getting a 90-day supply may be a better value than filling every month. This could lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, saving you time and money. If your insurance covers Paxil, ask if there are discounts for using your plan's mail-order pharmacy.

3. Compare prices at various pharmacies

GoodRx can help you easily compare costs at different pharmacies to find the best Paxil price in your area.

4. Split your pills if it's safe to do so

Not all pills should be divided, but Paxil IR tablets can be split in half. You may be able to fill a prescription for a higher dose and split the pill to save 50% or more on your prescription. For instance, you can fill a prescription for 20 mg tablets, which typically isn't twice as much as the same quantity of 10 mg tablets. You can buy a pill splitter at a pharmacy for about $5.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't split Paxil CR tablets.

5. Ask a healthcare professional about alternatives

A healthcare professional isn't obligated to consider prices when prescribing medications. If you are concerned about cost, tell your prescriber. You might be able to find another medication that adequately treats your condition and fits your budget.

6. Use your HSA or FSA funds

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can save on your Paxil prescription. Paying for the medication with your HSA or FSA funds reduces your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.

Frequently asked questions

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