Prescription drugs that are easily obtainable and frequently prescribed are antidepressants. Receiving antidepressants does not involve any special procedures, in contrast to DEA-restricted medications, and is now easier than ever thanks to the growth of telehealth services.
Only about one-third of those who are diagnosed, though, receive treatment. Lack of health insurance is one of the factors contributing to the increase in non-treatment. Treatment costs are frequently insurmountable for those with insufficient or no insurance.
For this reason, we’ve created a guide on how to obtain antidepressants without insurance.
How to Get Antidepressants Without Insurance
Are you unsure of how to obtain an antidepressant prescription without insurance? And how can someone without insurance obtain a prescription for antidepressants? How to purchase antidepressants without insurance is covered below.
Between generic and brand-name antidepressants, there is frequently a price difference. Generic medications typically cost 85% less than brand-name equivalents.
Sertraline, the generic name for Zoloft®, can cost anywhere between $18 and $32 for 30 tablets, which is the recommended daily dosage of 50 mg.
However, a bottle of 30 50mg Zoloft® (the brand name) tablets costs about $416. Even the United States was saved by generic medications. consumers $253 billion in 2017. Generic drugs are exact chemical replicas of their brand-name counterparts.
The FDA grants brand manufacturers temporary patent protection, which is a significant distinction between generic and brand-name products. Following compliance with the same quality, safety, and efficacy requirements set forth by the FDA as brands, generic medications can be sold after the patent period has expired.
Though not all antidepressants are offered in generic form. According to your health and financial situation, ask your doctor if a brand-name or generic antidepressant is the best choice for you.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are another service that many pharmaceutical companies provide.
These initiatives provide low-income people with financial support for prescription drug coverage. For more details, such as how to apply, ask your healthcare provider.
Another free and private service that assists in connecting people without health insurance to prescription assistance programs that provide free or inexpensive medications is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA).
Additionally, pharmaceutical companies provide clinics and healthcare professionals with samples of brand-new medications.
Another cost-effective strategy for treating severe depression or anxiety disorders is to purchase medication online. Since the FDA cautions against the potential risk of purchasing medication online, only purchase from reputable websites.
Use only a licensed pharmacy with a licensed pharmacist on call if you are ordering medication online.
What Are Antidepressants?
Antidepressant drugs are thought to function by altering brain chemicals linked to major depression.
Other conditions that can be treated with antidepressants include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and occasionally chronic (long-term) pain.
Antidepressants are occasionally used to treat bipolar disorder, but due to some risks, they must be used cautiously.
The most common types of antidepressants are:
- inhibitors of selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs). The most popular antidepressant that is prescribed is an SSRI. By preventing the brain from reabsorbing the neurotransmitter, they raise the level of serotonin in the brain. In comparison to older antidepressants, SSRIs typically have fewer drug interactions, safety concerns, and side effects.
- SNRIs, or inhibitors of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake. Serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain are raised by these antidepressants. SNRIs can have side effects, just like other antidepressants. However, these are typically minor and go away after a few weeks of use.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs. The mechanism of action of TCAs, an older class of antidepressants, involves raising levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These antidepressants are about as effective as SSRIs but are used much less frequently due to a higher risk of causing specific side effects and drug interactions.
- MAOIs are inhibitors of monoamine oxidase. Another older class of antidepressants is monoamine oxidase inhibitors. They do this by inhibiting the monoamine oxidase enzyme, which breaks down the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and tyramine. Only when other depression medications fail to work will MAOIs be prescribed.
- antidepressants that are unusual. Because they don’t belong to the other antidepressant classes, some drugs, like bupropion, are known as atypical antidepressants. If other medications are ineffective for you, your doctor may advise using an atypical antidepressant.
Do I Need Antidepressants?
It’s not a decision you have to make for yourself whether you need antidepressants. Instead, it is a question that is addressed following a consultation with a dependable medical or mental health professional. If you do require one, know that you’re not alone. Currently, more than 13% of American adults use antidepressants.
A wide range of both newer and more established drugs used as antidepressants work with different brain chemicals to lessen the occurrence, severity, and duration of undesirable symptoms. Antidepressants may be a good option for treatment if you want to deal with depressive symptoms or think you may have depression of some kind.
If you experience several depressive symptoms that interfere with your daily activities, you may benefit from taking an antidepressant medication. Some of these symptoms include:
- Feeling sad or irritable
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating too much or too little
- Feeling tired and unmotivated
- Struggling to pay attention or make good choices
- Thinking a lot about death, dying, and suicide
- Finding little pleasure in activities that used to be fun
Antidepressants treat more than just depression. Professionals may offer these medications as treatment for people who struggle with the following:
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Sleeping problems
- Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Trauma-related disorders
Antidepressants may or may not be the best treatment option for your symptoms, depending on the results of standard diagnostic tests or the prescriber’s assessment after listening to your medical history and current symptoms.
Final Thoughts
However, your ability to receive assistance shouldn’t be impacted by your health insurance status. There are ways to obtain antidepressants without health insurance, but it requires effort.
To get a customized treatment plan and medication if required to help you treat your depressive symptoms and regain control over your mental health, speak with a licensed psychiatry provider online.
You and your care team must decide how serious your symptoms are, where they are coming from, and how taking antidepressants would benefit you the most. Although antidepressants are a fantastic option, not everyone should take them. Before taking an antidepressant, be patient and weigh your options.
