Saving Money on Popular Mental Health Medications
high drug prices
The past couple of years have placed a whole new spotlight on mental health matters. Many Americans are suffering from increased rates of insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Mental health care providers are scrambling to provide needed services to keep their patients as happy and healthy as possible.
Fortunately, perspectives regarding mental health have been shifting gradually over the past few decades. In the past, there have been stigmas associated with going to therapy, taking mental health medications, and asking for help. Now, there’s an entire generation of people primed to be more proactive about mental health treatment.
NorthWestPharmacy.com healthcare ambassador, Dr. Brynna Connor, can confirm that she’s seeing this trend in her own clinic. “There seems to be much more interest in medications now and with the last 18 months,” says Dr. Connor, “more people are experiencing mental health issues and are less afraid to seek help.”
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy or affordable to source treatment for mental health conditions.
15 Most Popular Medications for Mental Health
There are many wide-ranging mental health conditions, each of which can present in different ways. There are also vast numbers of mental health medications. Whether you’re looking for anti-depressants or anti-psychotics, it will be critical to have access to a variety of medications that could suit your lifestyle and meet your needs.
It’s equally important to know you’ll be able to afford the prescription drugs you need. At NorthWestPharmacy.com, it’s our goal to make life-changing medications as accessible as possible, with savings of over 80% in many cases.
Wellbutrin XL
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion extended-release) is a prescription drug widely used to treat mental health symptoms. An imbalance of neurotransmitters in our brains can cause depression and anxiety. To reduce adverse mental health symptoms, many of the medications on this list seek to help our brains work towards neurotransmitter balance.
The neurotransmitters most often associated with depression are norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Wellbutrin XL, when taken orally once a day, can help reduce their reabsorption — which can mean there will be higher amounts of these neurotransmitters to help promote a positive mental state.
In the United States, Wellbutrin XL is shockingly expensive. This medication can be upwards of $2,000.00 for thirty tabs, or $72.00 per dose.
For a more affordable alternative, you can buy 30 tabs of brand-name Wellbutrin XL at NorthWestPharmacy.com for just $77.00, or $2.50 per dose — a savings of over 95%.
Latuda
Latuda (lurasidone) is often prescribed to treat schizophrenia or bipolar depression. By targeting brain levels of serotonin and dopamine, Latuda can help patients over the age of 10 (for depression) or over 13 (for schizophrenia) enjoy a higher quality of life.
Since many mental health medications are more appropriate for slightly older populations, Latuda is a great option for young patients.
As Latuda can cause dehydration, it’s a good idea to take this once-daily oral tablet with a meal and a glass of water.
In the U.S., a thirty-count pack of Latuda costs about $1,400.00, or $46.00 per dose.
Of course, you can find a more affordable price at NorthWestPharmacy.com — thirty tablets of brand-name Latuda is about $260.00, or $8.50 per dose. This represents a savings of just over 81%.
Lexapro (called Cipralex in Canada)
Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, which works by helping your brain work towards serotonin balance. This oral, once-daily medication is generally prescribed for adults experiencing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
You may have to wait a while for Lexapro to take full effect. It can take 2-4 weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms.
In the U.S., you can purchase Lexapro in a thirty-pack for about $430.00, or just over $14.00 per dose.
Alternatively, you can purchase the same sized pack of Lexapro for $50.00, or about $1.50 per dose, at NorthWestPharmacy.com for savings of 88%.
Prozac
Prozac (fluoxetine) is an SSRI with a very similar method of action to Lexapro. However, there are some distinct differences, allowing Prozac to have a wider group of conditions it can help improve. For example, while Lexapro tends to be prescribed for depression and anxiety, Prozac can treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Prozac may also cause more severe side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and sleeping problems. Typically, Prozac is taken orally once or twice a day.
In the United States, you can purchase thirty tablets of Prozac for around $550.00, or just over $18.00 per dose.
Instead, you could enjoy about 80% savings by purchasing brand-name Prozac in 100 tablets count for just over $300.00 (or $3.00 per dose) at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Effexor XR
Effexor XR (venlafaxine XR) is an SNRI — a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Where SSRIs like Prozac and Lexapro deal mainly with serotonin, Effexor XR works to increase the effect of norepinephrine as well.
As an extended-release medication, Effexor XR releases a steady amount of medication throughout your day when taken orally, once daily. This can help ensure levels of the medication remain constant in your system, which can assist with lower side effects and potentially increased drug efficacy.
If you’re looking for Effexor XR in the United States, you’ll likely pay about $500.00 for a pack of thirty tablets.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy Effexor XR in a pack of 84 tablets for $113.00, or about $1.30 per dose. That’s a savings of around 90%.
Rexulti
Rexulti (brexpiprazole) works on three major neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) to help your brain work towards a potentially happier, healthier balance. If you’ve worked with SSRI or SNRI medications and believe a more comprehensive approach may be best for your brain, Rexulti’s once-daily oral treatment may be a good choice to pursue.
Purchasing Rexulti in America can be quite expensive. The going price for a pack of 90 capsules can reach as high as $3,500.00, or just under $40.00 per dose.
Alternatively, you can save 86% at NorthWestPharmacy.com by purchasing 90 capsules of your brand-name Rexulti for $470.00, or around $5.00 per dose.
Cymbalta
Cymbalta (duloxetine) may be able to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder by working to help the brain manage its levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. This classifies Cymbalta as an SNRI, much like Effexor XR.
Where Cymbalta differs from Effexor XR is in the breadth of the conditions this medication may be able to help treat, which includes pain associated with fibromyalgia, nerve pain associated with diabetes, or even chronic back pain.
Alternatively, if you require an SNRI but prefer not to use venlafaxine, the active ingredient in Effexor XR, once-daily oral Cymbalta may be a good choice for you.
You can purchase a pack of thirty tablets of Cymbalta in the United States for $300.00, or about $10.00 per dose.
For 70% savings, you could instead purchase a 28-pack of your brand-name Cymbalta for $90.00, or $3.20 per dose.
Pristiq
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate) is an SNRI that can also work to treat depressive disorders in adults. Pristiq varies slightly in the types of conditions it may be able to assist with. For example, in addition to helping with panic and anxiety attacks, occasionally Pristiq is prescribed to help with menopausal hot flashes.
The side effects patients may experience with once-daily oral Pristiq may also vary when compared to other SNRIs. Side effects that may accompany the use of Pristiq include blurred vision, decreased libido, and occasional jaw tightness.
In the United States, you can purchase thirty tablets of brand-name Pristiq for just under $500.00, or about $16.50 per dose.
Alternatively, you can also purchase the same amount of Pristiq for $160.00, or about $5.30 per dose — a savings of 68%, from NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Trintellix (also known as Brintellix)
Trintellix (vortioxetine hydrobromide) is a newer multimodal medication doctors often prescribe to treat major depressive disorder. Trintellix is an SSRI, much like Lexapro. However, Trintellix is only available in brand name form and is currently only recommended for use in adults.
Trintellix works primarily by helping increase levels of serotonin but may also have an effect on dopamine and noradrenaline levels.
If you’re looking for Trintellix in America, you’ll be able to purchase a thirty-pack of tablets for just under $500.00, or about $16.50 per tablet.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can enjoy 40% savings when you buy a 28-pack of Trintellix tablets for $300.00, or about $10.50 per tablet.
Anafranil
Anafranil (clomipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant prescription drug most commonly used to treat the anxiety and agitation associated with OCD.
Tricyclic antidepressants (named for their three-ringed chemical structure) have similar functionality as many SSRIs and SNRIs. They work by increasing the overall amount of specific neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.
They may also affect other chemical messengers, which can lead to wide-ranging side effects from dry mouth to lightheadedness. This oral medication may be administered in several low doses throughout the day.
In the U.S., a thirty-pack of brand-name Anafranil may cost as much as $1,100.00, or approximately $36.50 per dose.
For over 95% savings, you can buy Anafranil in the same quantity at NorthWestPharmacy.com for just $26.00, or about $0.85 per tablet.
Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI that may help with the symptoms of various depressive disorders, such as major depressive disorder, OCD, anxiety or panic disorders, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
A once-daily Zoloft treatment regimen may differ from other SSRIs (such as Lexapro) because it may be able to help with a wide variety of conditions. However, Zoloft tends to be recommended for slightly older patients, with an age minimum of 18.
In the United States, you can purchase thirty tabs of Zoloft for approximately $430.00, or just over $14.00 per dose.
Alternatively, you can purchase a 90-capsule order of your brand-name Zoloft for $130.00, or about $1.50 per dose. Using NorthWestPharmacy.com to purchase Zoloft can save you about 90%.
Abilify
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antidepressant drug and an atypical antipsychotic. It works by targeting chemicals in the brain which can alter potentially harmful thought patterns a patient may be experiencing.
Since this is the case, Abilify is often prescribed to patients experiencing bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Doctors may also recommend Abilify to treat symptoms associated with Tourette’s syndrome and autism, depending on the specifics of your case. Abilify is typically taken once daily, with or without food.
You can purchase a thirty-pack of Abilify in the United States for $950.00, or approximately $31.50 per dose.
For 73% savings, you could instead buy a 28-pack of brand-name Abilify for $250.00, or about $9.00 per dose, at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Viibryd
Viibryd (vilazodone) is an SSRI often prescribed to treat major depressive disorder.
However, in addition to providing SSRI functionality, Viibryd is also a partial agonist of another serotonin receptor in your brain. Blocking or desensitizing this secondary receptor can help increase the amount of serotonin your body creates.
Although the specific benefits of this approach are unknown, Viibryd may provide increased functionality for people who don’t see needed results with SSRI use.
Typically, patients take Viibryd once daily with food. It may take a few days for noticeable effects of Viibryd to take place.
In the United States, you can purchase thirty capsules of Viibryd for $350.00, or approximately $11.50 per dose.
Instead, for 51% savings, you could purchase a thirty-pack of brand-name Viibryd at NorthWestPharmacy.com for $170.00, or about $5.50 per dose.
Parnate
Parnate (tranylcypromine) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that can constitute a second line of treatment for patients who have not experienced favorable results with other medications.
In many cases, low amounts of monoamines (neural compounds that help with synaptic firing) are associated with depression. Inhibiting monoamine oxidase can result in higher amounts of monoamines, more synaptic firing, better brain functionality, and reduction of downstream symptoms such as sleep problems and sadness.
Parnate is taken one to three times daily, by mouth, as directed by your doctor.
In the United States, Parnate is not widely available. You can instead purchase generic tranylcypromine in a pack of 90 for $160.00, or $1.70 per capsule.
If you require brand-name Parnate, you can purchase a similar pack of 100 capsules for $73.00, or about $1.30 per capsule. Overall, this is an approximate savings of 54%.
Fetzima
Fetzima (levomilnacipran) is one of the newer SNRIs on the market. By inhibiting the absorption of both norepinephrine and serotonin, Fetzima may be able to help patients work towards a better chemical balance in their brains. As a result, patients on a once-daily treatment regimen with Fetzima may enjoy prolonged positive moods.
Much like Effexor XR, Fetzima is an extended-release capsule. Since it releases a small trickle of medication into your bloodstream over the course of the day, it may help you achieve more stable levels of the medication than other options.
Because it’s a novel drug, Fetzima can be hard to find in the United States. You may be able to purchase 30 tabs for about $520.00 (or $17.00 per dose), depending on your location.
For reliable access to your needed medications (and 70% savings), you can purchase 30 tabs of brand-name Fetzima at NorthWestPharmacy.com for $160.00, or $5.30 per dose.
Can’t Find Your Mental Health Medication?
If you’re having trouble finding your medication, you can check our comprehensive lists of anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. Alternatively, you can use the search bar at the top of our website to look for any medication, name brand, or generic.
If you require further support, our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives will be happy to speak with you to provide any needed resources, help you locate your medication, connect you with one of our pharmacists, or help you order your medications.
Give our team at NorthWestPharmacy.com a call today at 1-866-539-5339 to learn more about what our safe online Canadian pharmacy and international drugstore can do for you. We look forward to helping you save money!
