How Much Does Lexapro Cost in Canada?

When you’re researching Lexapro, you’ll quickly discover that prices vary significantly across Canada. Your location, pharmacy choice, and insurance coverage all play major roles in determining what you’ll actually pay. In Canada, Laxapro is known as Cipralex.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for Lexapro in Canada, plus practical ways to manage the expense. Getting a prescription requires connecting with a licensed healthcare provider who can assess your situation at their discretion.

Lexapro cost breakdown in Canada

The cost of Lexapro varies dramatically depending on whether you choose brand name or generic, your dosage strength, and where you shop. Here’s what you’re looking at:

Brand Name Lexapro: (sold as Cipralex)

• 5 mg: $38.00 to $42.00 for 28 tablets (not available in Canada) 
• 10 mg: $45.99 to $59.99 for 28 tablets and comes in box of 30 tabs at $105-125
• 20 mg: $53.00 to $73.00 for 28 tablets and comes in box of 30 tabs at $111-$130

Generic EsCitalopram (same active ingredient):

• 5 mg: $46.00 to $49.00 for 100 tablets (not available in Canada) 
• 10 mg: $54.76 to $58.33 for 100 tablets at $50 to $60
• 20 mg: $46.00 to $49.00 for 84 tablets and comes in a 100-pack size at $54 to $68
• Oral disintegrating forms are also available of Cipralex ODT:
  • 10 mg 30 tabs at $84 to $90, 100 tabs from $240 to $260
  • 20 mg 30 tabs at $88 to $95, 100 tabs from $246 to $266
• The generic version of both is available as well:
  • 10 mg 30 tabs at $69 to $72, 100 tabs from $168 to $179 
  • 20 mg 30 tabs at $74 to $79, 100 tabs from $175 to $189

Money-saving opportunities:

• Price matching: Some pharmacies beat competitor prices by 25%, but it’s not a common option
• New customer discounts: Up to 10% off, sometimes with a maximum of $100, savings could be found in some pharmacies across Canada
• Bulk purchasing: Larger quantities reduce per-tablet costs
• Generic substitution: Massive savings with same therapeutic effect

How insurance affects your Lexapro costs

Your insurance situation dramatically changes what you’ll pay out-of-pocket. Most plans prefer generic options, which work in your favour for cost savings.

Private Insurance Coverage: Generic esCitalopram typically receives full formulary coverage. If your doctor prescribes brand name Lexapro specifically, you might pay the price difference, potentially $200+ for larger quantities.

Some comprehensive plans cover brand name when medically necessary. Your healthcare provider can indicate “no substitution” on your prescription if required, and if you’d like to substitute for a generic you will need to contact your healthcare provider.

Provincial Coverage Programs: Each province handles Lexapro coverage differently through its drug benefit programs:

• Ontario: The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program can cover eligible residents via Trillian, ODSB, OHIP
• Quebec: RAMQ provides income-based coverage up to 35% of costs
• British Columbia: PharmaCare offers deductible-based coverage
• Alberta: Coverage through the Drug Benefit List for eligible groups

Cost-sharing structures:

• Deductibles: Annual amounts you pay before coverage begins
• Co-pays: Fixed amounts per prescription (typically $7-$15)
• Percentage coverage: You pay 10-20% after meeting deductibles

Generic vs brand name Lexapro pricing

The price difference is significant:

• Brand name 10 mg (28 tablets): $45.99 to $59.99
• Generic 10 mg (100 tablets): $54.76 to $58.33 

You get more than three months of generic medication for roughly the same price as one month of brand name.

Why choose generic?

• Same active ingredient: EsCitalopram works identically in both versions
• Health Canada approved: Meets identical safety and quality standards
• Automatic substitution: Pharmacists typically dispense generic unless specified otherwise
• Insurance preferred: Most plans cover generic at better rates

When brand name matters: 

Your healthcare provider can specify brand name if medically necessary. This requires “no substitution” notation on your prescription and may involve additional insurance authorization. Please note that the Cipralex brand offers a patient assistance program in Canada, if a patient registers directly with them. It may be restricted in some cases.

What you’ll pay without insurance

Paying out-of-pocket means understanding all cost components to budget effectively. Your expenses include medication price plus dispensing fees.

• Generic 10 mg: Approximately $16 to $20 per month (based on 100-tablet pricing)
• Brand name 10 mg: $45.99 to $59.99 per month
• Dispensing fees: $4.48 to $10.44 per fill

Strategies to reduce costs:

• Shop around: Price differences of generally $7 to $15 or upwards to $30 per month add up over time
• Buy larger quantities: 90-day supplies reduce dispensing fee frequency
• Compare total costs: Include shipping for online pharmacies
• Ask about discounts: New customer offers and referral programs

Example cost calculation: A 28-tablet supply at $45.99 plus $8.00 dispensing fee totals $53.99. Online shipping might add $10.00, bringing your total to $63.99, potentially more than local pharmacy options.

Getting a Lexapro prescription in Canada

Lexapro requires a prescription from a licensed Canadian healthcare provider. You can’t purchase it over-the-counter or without proper medical consultation.

Who can prescribe:

• Physicians (MDs): Full prescribing authority across Canada
• Nurse practitioners: Licensed in all provinces with prescribing rights
• Pharmacists: Limited prescribing in some provinces with additional certification 

The consultation process: Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and current health status before prescribing Lexapro at their discretion. This ensures the medication is appropriate for your specific situation.

Virtual care options: Maple connects you with Canadian-licensed healthcare providers in minutes who’ll evaluate your situation and recommend treatment options when suitable. Virtual consultations offer convenient access while maintaining proper medical oversight.

Required documentation:

• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Provincial health card (where applicable)
• Current medication list and medical history
• Insurance information for coverage verification

Final word on Lexapro cost in Canada

What you’ll pay for Lexapro depends on several key factors. Your province, pharmacy choice, and insurance coverage all significantly impact your monthly expenses.

Generic esCitalopram offers the best value at $54.76 to $58.33 for 100 tablets of 10mg strength. Brand name costs $45.99 to $59.99 for just 28 tablets, making generic the clear winner for budget-conscious patients.

Shopping around pays off; a $20 monthly difference adds up to $240 a year you could save by comparing pharmacy prices. Don’t forget to factor in dispensing fees when comparing total costs.

Maple puts you in touch with Canadian doctors and nurse practitioners quickly. They’ll evaluate your needs and guide your treatment options when appropriate. Virtual visits let you discuss options from home while getting clear answers about what your insurance will actually cover.

Disclaimer: This content serves educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. All prescriptions are given at the provider’s discretion. Coverage details and policies can change; verify with official sources before making financial commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lexapro cost per month in Canada without insurance?

Monthly costs depend on whether you choose brand name or generic. Brand name Lexapro costs $45.99 to $59.99 for 28 tablets of 10mg strength. Generic esCitalopram provides better value at $54.76 to $58.33 for 100 tablets, giving you over three months’ supply for similar pricing.

Does Canadian health insurance cover Lexapro prescriptions?

Most provincial drug plans and private insurance cover generic esCitalopram as their preferred option. Brand name Lexapro typically requires medical necessity documentation and may involve paying the price difference between generic and brand costs, which can exceed $200 for larger quantities.

Can I get Lexapro delivered to my home in Canada?

Many licensed Canadian pharmacies offer home delivery services. Online pharmacies typically provide shipping with delivery times of 4-8 business days. Standard shipping fees around $10.00 apply, though some pharmacies offer free shipping programs or waive delivery charges for larger orders.

What’s the difference between generic and brand name Lexapro in Canada?

Generic esCitalopram contains the same active ingredient as brand name Lexapro in identical concentrations. Health Canada’s approval ensures generic medications meet the same safety and quality standards. Both versions work exactly the same way in your body and have the same potential side effects.

Where can I find the cheapest Lexapro prices in Canada?

Prices vary significantly between pharmacies, with differences of $30+ per month. Licensed online pharmacies often offer competitive pricing compared to traditional locations. Some pharmacies provide price matching programs that beat competitor prices by 25% of the difference when you contact their customer service.

Do I need a prescription for Lexapro in Canada?

Yes, Lexapro remains prescription-only across Canada and requires consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Virtual consultations through platforms like Maple connect you with Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners who can evaluate your needs and provide appropriate care at their discretion if suitable.