Citalopram 20mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Citalopram 20mg is the standard SSRI dose for depression and panic disorder, costing approximately 60p per pack on the Drug Tariff.
How much does Citalopram 20mg cost on the NHS?
Citalopram 20mg has a Drug Tariff price of approximately 60p for a 28-tablets pack — a full month's supply. Yet NHS patients in England pay a flat £9.90 per item. With 12m items dispensed in 2024/25, Citalopram is one of the most prescribed drugs in England. Through RepeatsDirect, patients can access the same medication privately for £5.50/month.
How much does Citalopram 20mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Citalopram 20mg at approximately 60p per 28-tablets pack. This is the price the NHS pays pharmacies for the drug itself. The NHS prescription charge of £9.90 covers this drug cost plus dispensing fees, administration, and a contribution to NHS services — but for cheap generic drugs, it represents a significant markup.
Drug Tariff cost
60p
per pack
NHS charge
£9.90
1,550% markup
Our price
£5.50
via private Rx
Citalopram has approximately 12m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Citalopram used for?
Citalopram 20mg is the standard starting and maintenance dose for adults with depression and panic disorder. It is generally well-tolerated and has fewer drug interactions than some other SSRIs. MHRA guidelines cap the maximum dose at 40mg due to QT-interval effects.
The Drug Tariff price for Citalopram 20mg is approximately 60p per 28-tablet pack. The NHS prescription charge of £9.90 is 16.5 times the drug cost.
Patients stable on Citalopram 20mg can switch to a private prescription through RepeatsDirect for £5.50 per month, saving £4.40 per month.
How can you save money on Citalopram 20mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Citalopram 20mg and pay significantly less. Through RepeatsDirect, a qualified pharmacist independent prescriber conducts a short clinical review and issues a private prescription. You pay £5.50 per month — saving £4.40 per month, or £52.80 per year.
| Option | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| NHS prescription charge | £9.90 | £118.80 |
| RepeatsDirect (private Rx) | £5.50 | £66.00 |
| Annual PPC (unlimited NHS Rx) | £9.54/mo avg | £114.50 |
A PPC is better value if you pay for 12+ items per year. RepeatsDirect is better value if you pay for fewer items or only want to switch the cheapest drugs.
Start saving on Citalopram 20mg
Join the waitlist to be first when we launch.