Key takeaways
Lexapro without insurance typically costs $571 for 30, 10 mg tablets, a 30-day supply.
Not all health insurance plans cover brand-name Lexapro, but generic Lexapro is nearly universally covered by insurance when prescribed for FDA-approved mental health conditions.
Save money by switching to generic Lexapro, getting a prescription for a lower-priced SSRI or other drug, using discount coupons, comparing prices, or finding patient assistance or community resources.
Lexapro is a brand-name prescription drug that helps people with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and other mental health issues. The active ingredient in Lexapro, escitalopram, belongs to a commonly prescribed family of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro is a premium-priced branded drug, so people without insurance may need to find ways to make this medication more affordable over the long term.
RELATED: Antidepressant coupons and resources
Is Lexapro covered by insurance?
Many commercial health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, and Medicaid will cover a Lexapro prescription for qualifying medical conditions, but some do not. Instead, they will cover a prescription for escitalopram, the generic version of Lexapro.
How much does Lexapro cost without insurance?
The Lexapro cost without insurance is about $571 for a 30-day supply of 10 mg tablets, so the average price per daily dose is $19. Lexapro is a long-term treatment that typically doesn’t show symptom improvement for several weeks. That means that without insurance or discounts, a six-month treatment with Lexapro could cost more than $3,000.
Health insurance can reduce the cost. If Lexapro is covered, the out-of-pocket cost will be lower, but still may be higher than generic drugs, like generic Lexapro. Most insurance companies classify generic escitalopram as a Tier 1 drug, so the escitalopram cost with insurance should be low. However, health insurance is more complex than copay costs, so the actual out-of-pocket costs depend on other aspects of the health plan, such as deductibles and coinsurance.
Those who cannot afford Lexapro should consider switching to generic Lexapro (escitalopram). Generic Lexapro costs about $122 for 30, 10 mg tablets, a savings of almost $450. However, generic escitalopram is one of the most expensive generic SSRIs. A lower cost SSRI, such as citalopram, can cost half the price of escitalopram, so it pays to consider other types of SSRIs. If these alternative treatments are still too pricey, consider asking your healthcare provider about tricyclic antidepressants to help with depression or anxiety.
Other less expensive options for people with anxiety include generic tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, beta blockers, and buspirone. It’s important to discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider.
Some over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and natural remedies may help alleviate mild symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, or stress. However, they are not effective at treating diagnosed mental health conditions like major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
RELATED: Anxiety vs. depression | Depression statistics
Compare Lexapro prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Lexapro (escitalopram) | $571 per 30, 10 mg tablets of Lexapro | $496 per 30, 10 mg tablets of Lexapro at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Generic Lexapro (escitalopram) | $122 per 30, 10 mg tablets of escitalopram | $9 per 30, 10 mg tablets of escitalopram at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Celexa
(citalopram) |
$407 per 30, 20 mg tablets of Celexa | $6 per 30, 20 mg tablets of citalopram at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Fluoxetine | $67 per 30, 20 mg tablets of fluoxetine | $6 per 30, 20 mg tablets of fluoxetine at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Zoloft
(sertraline) |
$551 per 30, 50 mg tablets of Zoloft | $9 per 30, 50 mg tablets of sertraline at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Paxil
(paroxetine) |
$760 per 30, 20 mg tablets of Paxil | $4 per 30, 20 mg tablets of paroxetine at Walmart | See latest prices |
RELATED: Lexapro vs. Zoloft: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you
How to get Lexapro without insurance
The cost of Lexapro without insurance could easily exceed $3,000 for six months of treatment. Manufacturer coupons, patient assistance programs, and manufacturer rebates may occasionally be offered for brand-name Lexapro, but they’re not guaranteed. Here are a few money-saving tips that can provide more certain savings, starting with a SingleCare discount card.
1. Get immediate prescription savings with a SingleCare savings card
A 30-day supply of generic Lexapro can cost as little as $9 at Kroger just by using a free coupon from SingleCare. That’s a $562 discount off the average retail price of brand-name Lexapro and a $113 discount off the average retail price of generic Lexapro. SingleCare is free to use and available to everyone. Registered members can save even more, and it’s fast and free to join.
2. Use a SingleCare savings card with a 90-day prescription
Lexapro is a long-term treatment, but getting a 90-day supply may not save much money. However, the lowest SingleCare discount price for 90 days of generic Lexapro is only $11 at Kroger, just a tad higher than $9 for a 30-day supply.
3. Shop around for lower prices
Some pharmacies charge more for brand-name and generic medications than others. It’s easy to compare prices at pharmacies near you using SingleCare.com or the SingleCare app, available for iOS and Android.
4. Get help from a local health department
Local health departments can point you in the direction of public health clinics, community clinics, and 340B providers that may be able to fill an escitalopram prescription for only a few dollars. They may also be able to provide low-cost treatment. Start by contacting your city or county’s health department.
5. Ask about other SSRIs
Lexapro is expensive, but generic escitalopram can be too. If cost is a factor or you don’t have insurance, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to recommend a Lexapro alternative that’s more affordable.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of May. 11, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Escitalopram oxalate tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: current and emerging treatment options, Frontiers in Psychiatry (2020)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.