Prozac, Fluoxetine DR
Fluoxetine Hcl
Fluoxetine is a generic medication prescribed for certain mental health conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Prozac. The cost of fluoxetine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Fluoxetine is a generic medication prescribed for certain mental health conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Prozac. The cost of fluoxetine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 20mg
- • 30 Capsules
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on May 17, 2023
Fluoxetine is a generic medication prescribed for certain mental health conditions. The brand-name version of this drug is Prozac. The cost of fluoxetine with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.
Fluoxetine comes in these forms:
- capsule, tablet, and solution that are each swallowed
- delayed-release* capsule that’s swallowed
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved fluoxetine to treat:
- major depressive disorder, which is also called depression
- depression that’s either related to bipolar I disorder or hasn’t been fully treated with certain other treatments, together with another medication
- bulimia nervosa
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
Read on to learn about fluoxetine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about fluoxetine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.
* Delayed release means the drug is slowly released into your body over time after you take a dose.
Cost
Cost of fluoxetine
Like other medications, the cost of fluoxetine can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:
- your insurance plan, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy you use
To find out how much fluoxetine costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for fluoxetine” section.
Coupons
Coupons for fluoxetine
Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of fluoxetine. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Available app for coupons
To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.
Insurance and other considerations
Insurance and other considerations for fluoxetine
Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:
- Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of fluoxetine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for fluoxetine. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
- A 3-month supply. If you’re taking fluoxetine long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.
If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.
FAQ
Common questions about fluoxetine and cost
Here are some common questions about fluoxetine and their answers.
Does fluoxetine 20 mg cost less than fluoxetine 40 mg?
It’s possible. The cost of fluoxetine 20 milligrams (mg) compared to fluoxetine 40 mg depends on certain factors.
For example, it could depend on whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket. If you don’t have insurance, your cost for the 20-mg strength could be less than that of the 40-mg strength.
The cost of a prescription could also depend on your dosage and the form of the drug your doctor prescribes.
To learn more about your cost of fluoxetine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also speak with an insurance provider to learn how costs of different strengths of fluoxetine compare.
Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?
Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.
Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)
This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.
If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.
Generics vs. brand-names
Generics vs. brand-names
Fluoxetine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is shown below.
Form | Generic available | Brand available | Brand name |
capsule that’s swallowed | ✓ | ✓ | Prozac |
tablet that’s swallowed | ✓ | ||
solution that’s swallowed | ✓ | ||
delayed-release* capsule that’s swallowed | ✓ |
* Delayed release means the drug is slowly released into your body over time after you take a dose.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor has prescribed fluoxetine but you’re interested in taking Prozac, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.
To learn how the cost of fluoxetine compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.
What to ask
What to ask about fluoxetine
This article provides cost information related to fluoxetine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for fluoxetine.
If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:
- Does the cost of fluoxetine depend on the form I’m prescribed?
- Can I use a coupon to help lower the cost of fluoxetine if I also have insurance coverage?
- How does the cost of fluoxetine delayed-release* capsule compare to brand-name Prozac?
* Delayed release means the drug is slowly released into your body over time after you take a dose.
Resources
Resources
- Fluoxetine capsules, for oral use. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/32afb28a-dc4c-4a7e-9701-1825f805e7df/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Prozac (fluoxetine capsules) for oral use. (2021). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/018936s111lbl.pdf
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
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