23/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 23/08/2024 21:16
Key takeaways:
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a commonly prescribed, FDA-approved oral medication that treats depression and anxiety. It's also sometimes prescribed to treat chronic pain, as well as pain from fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain associated with diabetes).
The generic version of Cymbalta, duloxetine, typically costs much less than the brand-name version. The exact price you'll pay for Cymbalta or duloxetine depends on your dosage, location, pharmacy, and insurance status.
With a GoodRx coupon, the cost of 30 capsules of 60 mg brand-name Cymbalta may be as low as $278.55at certain pharmacies.
Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions. Half of U.S. young adults ages 18 to 24 reported having depression or anxiety symptoms in 2023. About 13% of all U.S. adults took antidepressants from 2015 to 2018, according to the latest CDC findings.
While psychotherapy can make a positive difference for some people, medication - or a combination of therapy and medication - may be more effective for others. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), a class of antidepressants that work by boosting serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Cymbalta is FDA approved for both generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. It is approved to treat GAD in people who are age 7 or older. The medication is also prescribed to help people manage chronic pain, as well as pain from diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is approved to treat fibromyalgia in people who are age 13 or older.
A guide to SNRIs: Learn about popular serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like Cymbalta, that treat anxiety and depression, as well as certain types of long-term pain.
Cymbalta side effects: In addition to nausea, dry mouth, and drowsiness, Cymbalta can cause other side effects.
Potential Cymbalta interactions: Alcohol, as well as certain supplements and other medications, may cause interactions with Cymbalta.
Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments - including medications like Cymbalta and its generic, duloxetine - though coverage can vary from one plan to another. Medicare Part D plans arerequired to cover nearly all antidepressants and typically cover generic Cymbalta, for example.
If you have insurance, check your plan's summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and formulary to determine whether brand-name Cymbalta or its generic, duloxetine, is covered.
Here are a few things you can try if brand-name Cymbalta or duloxetine is not covered by your insurance:
Talk to your prescriber about alternatives.
Ask your insurance plan to make an exception and cover the medication. To get coverage, you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.
File an appeal for coverage with your insurance plan.
Use a free GoodRx coupon for potential savings.
Consider changing your prescription medication coverage during your next open enrollment period.
You can also check to see if you qualify for a patient assistance program. The Lilly Cares Foundation patient assistance program provides brand-name Cymbalta to qualified individuals who are uninsured or have Medicare Part D and an annual adjusted gross household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. You can check to see if you're eligible and apply here.
If you don't have health insurance or are self-pay, what you'll pay for Cymbalta depends on the following factors:
Your dosage
The fill amount - 90-day supply versus 30-day supply
Your geographic location
The specific pharmacy you use
Whether your taking the brand-name or generic version
The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different brand-name Cymbalta doses.
Cymbalta dose |
GoodRx price |
20 mg (60 tablets, 1 pill twice daily) |
|
30 mg (60 tablets, 1 pill twice daily) |
|
60 mg (30 tablets, 1 pill daily) |
The prices for generic Cymbalta are typically much lower (as discussed below).
In addition to the doses above, generic Cymbalta, or duloxetine, comes in a 40 mg dose. The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different duloxetine doses.
Duloxetine (generic Cymbalta) dose |
GoodRx price |
20 mg (60 tablets, 1 pill twice daily) |
|
30 mg (60 tablets, 1 pill twice daily) |
|
40 mg (30 tablets, 1 pill daily) |
|
60 mg (30 tablets, 1 pill daily) |
Taking generic Cymbalta is one of the easiest ways to save money on the medication.
Below are five ways to save on your Cymbalta or duloxetine prescription with or without insurance.
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your prescription.
Here's how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type "Cymbalta" in the search field. Be sure to select either "Cymbalta (brand-name)" or "Cymbalta (generic)" in the drop-down menu, depending on which version you're taking.
Click on "Search prices" to find out how much your medication costs at pharmacies near you.
Select the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled to generate a coupon.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your medication.
Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Cymbalta instead of a 30-day supply so that you can compare costs. Getting a 90-day supply may be able to help you lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, which saves both time and money.
If you have insurance that covers Cymbalta, ask if there are discounts for using your plan's mail-order pharmacy.
GoodRx can help you easily compare costs to find the best Cymbalta price in your area.
Your healthcare professional may not consider pricing when prescribing your medications. If you are concerned about costs, let your prescriber know. You might be able to find another medication that adequately treats your condition and better fits your budget.
Another way to save on Cymbalta is to use the money in your health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for your prescription. Paying for the medication with your HSA or FSA funds can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
It's possible to experience side effects from Cymbalta, including nausea, headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness, and trouble sleeping. These side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. But talk to your prescriber or pharmacist if you have side effects that are persistent or get worse.
If you experience sleep issues while taking Cymbalta, there are simple behavioral changes that may help. For example, getting regular exercise, limiting your caffeine intake, and practicing healthy sleep habits may help you find relief. Adjusting the timing of your dose(s) can also help. If you're feeling drowsy during the day, it may help to take Cymbalta at bedtime. But if you're having trouble sleeping, taking the medication in the morning may be better for you.
Both Cymbalta and Wellbutrin XL (bupropion extended-release) are prescribed to treat multiple conditions, including depression. But Cymbalta is used to treat a greater number of conditions. Beyond depression, Cymbalta is used for anxiety and chronic pain, while Wellbutrin XL is prescribed for seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Cymbalta is also approved to treat some conditions in children, while Wellbutrin is only approved for adults. You can learn more about how these medications compare with this GoodRx Health guide.
Cymbalta and Effexor (venlafaxine) are both SNRIs used to treat depression and anxiety. But Cymbalta may be the better choice if you're also experiencing long-term pain, as it's also FDA approved to treat nerve and muscle pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. Note that both medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly.
The generic version of Cymbalta, duloxetine, typically costs much less than the brand-name version. For either medication, the exact amount you'll pay depends on several factors, including where you live, the pharmacy you choose, your dosage, and your insurance status.
You may be able to save on your Cymbalta or duloxetine prescription by using a GoodRx coupon or getting a 90-day supply. With a GoodRx coupon, the cost of 30 capsules of 60 mg brand-name Cymbalta may be as low as $278.55at certain pharmacies.
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2024). Duloxetine - duloxetine capsule, delayed release [package insert].
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Your guide to Medicare drug coverage. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision.
Health Quality Ontario. (2017). Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment. Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series.
Lee, C. (2023). Latest federal data show that young people are more likely than older adults to be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. KFF.
Lilly Cares Foundation. (n.d.). How to apply.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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