How to Get Free SSRI Antidepressant Medications from Pharmaceutical Companies
Have you been prescribed an SSRI antidepressant medication but cannot afford to purchase it?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant medicine used to treat Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related mental illnesses or symptoms. They have proven very effective for many people and can make a significant difference in a person's life.
Unfortunately, as with most medicines, SSRI antidepressants are very expensive. If you are uninsured or have a health insurance plan that does not cover prescription drugs, one month's worth of a single medicine could cost you as much as several hundred dollars out of pocket.
The prices can be intimidating and even, sadly, will often deter people from seeking professional treatment to begin with for their anxiety or depression; they feel they won't be able to afford the medicine anyway, so why bother?
What many people don't realize, though, is that pharmaceutical companies have programs designed to help low-income people and families afford the prescription medicine they need. All Patient Assistance Programs vary in terms of their eligibility requirements, but if you can demonstrate a financial need, you have a high chance of qualifying for a year's worth of free prescription medicines; they will be provided by the pharmaceutical company that makes the particular medication that you require.
Below is information about Patient Assistance Programs for some of the most commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants. If your medication is not on the list, find out who manufactures it and visit the company's website directly.
Citalopram- Also known as Celexa, Citalopram is an antidepressant medication used to treat Major Depression and other anxiety disorders and symptoms. Patients who meet certain income eligibility requirements can have their prescribing physician apply on their behalf to receive a 3-month supply of Citalopram for free. The pills will be sent to your psychiatrist who will then give them to you.
Application
Info
Forest Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
13600 Shoreline Dr.
St Louis, MO 63045
1-(800) 851-0758 (phone)
1-(314) 493-7452 (fax)
Luvox CR (Fluvoxamine Maleate Extended Release Capsules)-
Luvox CR is another antidepressant medication in the SSRI class of pharmaceuticals. It has been approved for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Luvox CR, offer Patient Assistance for people in the U.S. who need help paying for their medication. If you have a Luvox prescription and little or no insurance coverage, you are very likely eligible to receive a $50 credit toward your out-of-pocket cost or co-payment amount, by way of a rebate card to be used at the time of purchase. The Luvox CR Instant Savings Program Rebate Card can be viewed and printed here to take along with you the pharmacy with your prescription.
Paxil CR (Paroxetine)
Paxil, also known as Aropax or Seroxat, is an SSRI antidepressant made by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of Major Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GlaxoSmithKline offers 3 financial assistance programs for patients who need help paying for Paxil:
Bridges to Access Program
PO Box 29038,Phoenix, AZ 85038-9038
Phoenix, AZ 85038-9038
Phone : 866-728-4368
*must be uninsured, very low income, and U.S. resident
More Info
GSK Access
PO Box 52046
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2046
Phone : 866-518-4357
*Must be Medicare Part D insured w/ very low income
Application
Together RX Access
PO Box 9426
Wilmington, DE 19809-9944
Phone : 800-444-4106
*Must be uninsured w/ <$30,000 income and U.S. resident
Application
Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxilate)- Lexapro is a medication approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder in adults and adolescents and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults. Lexapro, like Citalopram, is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals and therefore offers the same Patient Assistance Program to help patients pay for antidepressant drugs. Just as in the case with Celexa, you must have your doctor fill out an application to see if you qualify. If you are approved, you will receive a 3-month supply of Lexapro for free.
Application
Info
Forest Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
13600 Shoreline Dr.
St Louis, MO 63045
1-(800) 851-0758 (phone)
1-(314) 493-7452 (fax)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)- Prozac is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company to treat Major Depression, Pediatric Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Bulimia Nervosa. Eli Lilly offers free antidepressants to eligible people in financial need by way of their Patient Assistance Program, Lilly Cares.
To qualify for a 12-month supply of Prozac at no cost, you must be uninsured and have an income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. You also must submit an application from your prescribing physician.
More Info
Application
*You can also call 1-800-545-6962 for an application.
Lilly Cares
P.O. Box 230999
Centreville, VA 20120
Zoloft (Sertraline HCI)- Zoloft is made by Pfizer Inc. for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.
The manufacturer offers several financial assistance options for patients who need help paying for their medication:
Connection to Care
*must be uninsured or qualify for hardship assistance, meet income requirements, and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands.
Those approved will receive free Pfizer medicines for one year.
Call 1-866-706-2400
Or Download Application
More Info
MAINTAIN
*MAINTAIN (Medicines Assistance for those who are in need) was designed to help existing patients continue to afford their Pfizer meds. You might be eligible for this Patient Assistance Program if you've been taking Zoloft or another Pfizer medication for at least 3 months and have recently become unemployed and are without insurance coverage.
*If you qualify for the MAINTAIN Program, you will be enrolled to receive free Pfizer medicines for up to a year.
Call 1-800-568-9938
Or Download Application
More Info
Pfizer Pfriends
*Pfizer Pfriends is a savings card offered to all uninsured patients , regardless of age or income, to help pay for Zoloft and other Pfizer medicines. Anyone without prescription coverage can apply to receive 15%-32% off of the retail price of Pfizer medicines at the pharmacy.
Call 1-866-706-2400
Or Download Application
Zoloft $4 Co-Pay Card
Pfizer also offers patients an opportunity to save money on their co-pay for Zoloft or full out of pocket expense for the medication with a discount Zoloft $4 Co-Pay Card. The Co-Pay card can be used at most retail pharmacies for savings of up to $50 per refill and a maximum savings of $700 per calendar year. For more information about the Zoloft discount card, call 1-800-293-5963 or register here to get one.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant medicine used to treat Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related mental illnesses or symptoms. They have proven very effective for many people and can make a significant difference in a person's life.
Unfortunately, as with most medicines, SSRI antidepressants are very expensive. If you are uninsured or have a health insurance plan that does not cover prescription drugs, one month's worth of a single medicine could cost you as much as several hundred dollars out of pocket.
The prices can be intimidating and even, sadly, will often deter people from seeking professional treatment to begin with for their anxiety or depression; they feel they won't be able to afford the medicine anyway, so why bother?
What many people don't realize, though, is that pharmaceutical companies have programs designed to help low-income people and families afford the prescription medicine they need. All Patient Assistance Programs vary in terms of their eligibility requirements, but if you can demonstrate a financial need, you have a high chance of qualifying for a year's worth of free prescription medicines; they will be provided by the pharmaceutical company that makes the particular medication that you require.
Below is information about Patient Assistance Programs for some of the most commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants. If your medication is not on the list, find out who manufactures it and visit the company's website directly.
Citalopram- Also known as Celexa, Citalopram is an antidepressant medication used to treat Major Depression and other anxiety disorders and symptoms. Patients who meet certain income eligibility requirements can have their prescribing physician apply on their behalf to receive a 3-month supply of Citalopram for free. The pills will be sent to your psychiatrist who will then give them to you.
Application
Info
Forest Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
13600 Shoreline Dr.
St Louis, MO 63045
1-(800) 851-0758 (phone)
1-(314) 493-7452 (fax)
Luvox CR (Fluvoxamine Maleate Extended Release Capsules)-
Luvox CR is another antidepressant medication in the SSRI class of pharmaceuticals. It has been approved for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Luvox CR, offer Patient Assistance for people in the U.S. who need help paying for their medication. If you have a Luvox prescription and little or no insurance coverage, you are very likely eligible to receive a $50 credit toward your out-of-pocket cost or co-payment amount, by way of a rebate card to be used at the time of purchase. The Luvox CR Instant Savings Program Rebate Card can be viewed and printed here to take along with you the pharmacy with your prescription.
Paxil CR (Paroxetine)
Paxil, also known as Aropax or Seroxat, is an SSRI antidepressant made by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of Major Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GlaxoSmithKline offers 3 financial assistance programs for patients who need help paying for Paxil:
Bridges to Access Program
PO Box 29038,Phoenix, AZ 85038-9038
Phoenix, AZ 85038-9038
Phone : 866-728-4368
*must be uninsured, very low income, and U.S. resident
More Info
GSK Access
PO Box 52046
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2046
Phone : 866-518-4357
*Must be Medicare Part D insured w/ very low income
Application
Together RX Access
PO Box 9426
Wilmington, DE 19809-9944
Phone : 800-444-4106
*Must be uninsured w/ <$30,000 income and U.S. resident
Application
Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxilate)- Lexapro is a medication approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder in adults and adolescents and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults. Lexapro, like Citalopram, is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals and therefore offers the same Patient Assistance Program to help patients pay for antidepressant drugs. Just as in the case with Celexa, you must have your doctor fill out an application to see if you qualify. If you are approved, you will receive a 3-month supply of Lexapro for free.
Application
Info
Forest Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
13600 Shoreline Dr.
St Louis, MO 63045
1-(800) 851-0758 (phone)
1-(314) 493-7452 (fax)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)- Prozac is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company to treat Major Depression, Pediatric Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Bulimia Nervosa. Eli Lilly offers free antidepressants to eligible people in financial need by way of their Patient Assistance Program, Lilly Cares.
To qualify for a 12-month supply of Prozac at no cost, you must be uninsured and have an income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. You also must submit an application from your prescribing physician.
More Info
Application
*You can also call 1-800-545-6962 for an application.
Lilly Cares
P.O. Box 230999
Centreville, VA 20120
Zoloft (Sertraline HCI)- Zoloft is made by Pfizer Inc. for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.
The manufacturer offers several financial assistance options for patients who need help paying for their medication:
Connection to Care
*must be uninsured or qualify for hardship assistance, meet income requirements, and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands.
Those approved will receive free Pfizer medicines for one year.
Call 1-866-706-2400
Or Download Application
More Info
MAINTAIN
*MAINTAIN (Medicines Assistance for those who are in need) was designed to help existing patients continue to afford their Pfizer meds. You might be eligible for this Patient Assistance Program if you've been taking Zoloft or another Pfizer medication for at least 3 months and have recently become unemployed and are without insurance coverage.
*If you qualify for the MAINTAIN Program, you will be enrolled to receive free Pfizer medicines for up to a year.
Call 1-800-568-9938
Or Download Application
More Info
Pfizer Pfriends
*Pfizer Pfriends is a savings card offered to all uninsured patients , regardless of age or income, to help pay for Zoloft and other Pfizer medicines. Anyone without prescription coverage can apply to receive 15%-32% off of the retail price of Pfizer medicines at the pharmacy.
Call 1-866-706-2400
Or Download Application
Zoloft $4 Co-Pay Card
Pfizer also offers patients an opportunity to save money on their co-pay for Zoloft or full out of pocket expense for the medication with a discount Zoloft $4 Co-Pay Card. The Co-Pay card can be used at most retail pharmacies for savings of up to $50 per refill and a maximum savings of $700 per calendar year. For more information about the Zoloft discount card, call 1-800-293-5963 or register here to get one.
Published by Lori Voth
Emerson College graduate, Lori Voth, is a freelance writer and artist with a background in Marketing, Public Relations, Event Planning and Promotions. She has published hundreds of articles online and in pri... View profile
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