{"id":635004,"date":"2026-01-13T18:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T23:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635004"},"modified":"2026-01-13T18:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T23:41:46","slug":"celexa-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/celexa-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the generic name for Celexa?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celexa<\/span><\/a> (citalopram hydrobromide) is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat<\/span> depression<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>major depressive disorder<\/span><\/a>) in adults. It belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (<\/span>SSRIs<\/span><\/a>), which are also prescribed for mental health conditions such as <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>, post-traumatic stress disorder (<\/span>PTSD<\/span><\/a>), obsessive-compulsive disorder (<\/span>OCD<\/span><\/a>), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (<\/span>PMDD<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many brand-name antidepressants,<\/span> Celexa<\/span><\/a> is expensive. Fortunately, a less expensive generic version is available.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Celexa with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tCelexa 20 mg (30 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$6.15\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$6.15\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Celexa prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Does Celexa have a generic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, generic Celexa is available on the market. Generic Celexa is called<\/span> citalopram<\/span><\/a> (or citalopram hydrobromide), the same as the drug\u2019s active ingredient.<\/span> Citalopram<\/span><\/a> is available from several drug manufacturers, including<\/span> Mylan<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> Torrent Pharma<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patients often inquire about the availability of generic alternatives because brand-name prescription drugs can be expensive. For instance, the average retail price of brand-name Celexa (before insurance or discounts) is<\/span> $407 for 30, 20-milligram (mg) tablets<\/span><\/a>. The average retail price of generic citalopram, on the other hand, is about $6 for 30, 20-mg tablets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does \u201cgeneric\u201d really mean for medications?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generic drugs<\/span><\/a> are medications with the same active ingredient, form, dosage, and uses as their brand-name counterparts. In other words, a generic is a copy of a brand-name drug. The reason generic medications cost less is that they are released after the original brand-name drug manufacturer\u2019s patents and exclusivity rights have expired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGeneric medications are generally just as safe, effective, and<\/span> clinically equivalent<\/span><\/a> to their brand-name counterparts,\u201d says<\/span> Heather Gosnell, MD<\/span><\/a>, board-certified pediatrician and certified plant-based health coach in Phoenix, Arizona. \u201cThey are rigorously tested and must meet the same standards for quality, purity, and strength as the original drug before the FDA approves them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When comparing two similar drugs, experts often use the terms \u201cbioequivalence\u201d and \u201ctherapeutic equivalence.\u201d Dr. Gosnell says bioequivalence is the \u201cstrict measurable standard\u201d used by the FDA to determine that a generic drug is equivalent to the brand-name drug.<\/span> Bioequivalent drugs<\/span><\/a> have the same active ingredients that are absorbed by the body at the same rate. \u201cTherapeutic equivalence is the clinical outcome. It means two drugs have the same actual clinical effects in patients, \u201c Dr. Gosnell says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line: In general, FDA-approved generic drugs are bioequivalent, and thus therapeutically equivalent, to their brand-name counterparts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rigorous process of generic drug approval<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cIn the U.S., any FDA-approved generic has to meet very strict criteria,\u201d says<\/span> Barbara Sparacino, MD<\/span><\/a>, a triple board-certified physician and<\/span> on-call psychiatrist for health systems in Miami, Florida<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, route of administration, and intended use as the brand-name drug. It also needs to be bioequivalent, meaning it is absorbed into the bloodstream at essentially the same rate and extent as the brand. The manufacturing quality and purity standards are also the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic drug applications for FDA approval must show that the generic medication meets<\/span> the following criteria<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Same dosage form as the original drug. <\/b>Generic drugs must use the same delivery method (e.g., capsule, tablet) and be released at the same rate (e.g., fast-acting, extended-release).<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
  2. Proper drug manufacturing. <\/b>Generic drug companies must provide information confirming that their facilities are capable of manufacturing the drug correctly.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Consistent manufacturing. <\/b>Generic drug manufacturers must demonstrate that they can consistently produce the drug in the same manner each time.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Same active ingredient as the original drug.<\/b> Generics must use the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Bioequivalence. <\/b>Studies must show that the same amount of generic drug gets to the bloodstream and that it gets there at about the same time as the original drug.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Inactive ingredient safety. <\/b>A generic drug\u2019s inactive ingredients must be safe and have no impact on the effects of the active ingredient.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Proof of stability. <\/b>Generic drugs must pass stability tests proving that they last for \u201ca reasonable amount of time,\u201d per the FDA.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Appropriate packaging. <\/b>Generic drug companies must demonstrate that the medication packaging prevents the drug from deteriorating.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Same label as the original drug. <\/b>The information label for the generic drug should match that of the brand-name drug.<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Expired patents. <\/b>A generic drug cannot be released until the brand-name drug\u2019s patents and exclusivity rights expire.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It takes years for brand-name drug patents to expire, so some people might find it frustrating that the FDA delays generic drug approval even further with its rigorous application process. However, it\u2019s all for the benefit of patients. The result of generic FDA approval is \u201ca carefully regulated equivalent that costs less,\u201d Dr. Sparacino says.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What is the active ingredient in Celexa?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The active ingredient in Celexa is citalopram hydrobromide, a<\/span> selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor<\/span><\/a>. It works by<\/span> increasing serotonin activity<\/span><\/a> in the brain. This improves symptoms of depression because<\/span> serotonin<\/span><\/a> is linked to improvements in mood, emotion, and sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Celexa and citalopram are only FDA-approved for the treatment of depression. However, because of their effects on serotonin levels, t<\/span>hey are sometimes prescribed off-label<\/span><\/a> for other mental health conditions, including <\/span>OCD<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> anxiety<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>PTSD<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Benefits of choosing generic citalopram<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Celexa and generic citalopram have the same dosing schedule, potential <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>, and drug interactions. <\/span>The main benefit of choosing generic citalopram is cost. Patients who switch from Celexa to generic citalopram are receiving the same drug with the same dose, but often at a much lower price. In general, insurance companies are more likely to cover <\/span>generic drugs<\/span><\/a>, making these medications more accessible overall.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The only other differences between<\/span> brand-name and generic medications<\/span><\/a> are the inactive ingredients and appearance. Because generic citalopram is made at a different facility, inactive ingredients such as dyes, preservatives, and fillers may differ from those in brand-name Celexa. Generic citalopram may have a different tablet color, shape, or size than the brand-name Celexa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    What to expect when going generic<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The switch from Celexa to generic citalopram is straightforward. Dr. Sparacino offers the following guidance to her patients:<\/span><\/p>\n