Nortriptyline vs Desipramine — Cost, Coverage & Plan Comparison

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Up to 4 drugsCross-class or same-class

Start with the molecules your plan spends the most on. Most useful comparisons live within the same therapeutic class — switching across classes requires deeper clinical review.

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Federal data onlyNo PBM pricing assumed

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11 dimensions

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Nortriptyline

Brand: PAMELOR

First FDA approval: 1977-08-01

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Desipramine

Brand: Desipramine Hydrochloride

First FDA approval: 1964-11-20

Lowest NADACAcquisition cost floor across all NDCs

$0.123Per unit

$0.146Per unit

Average NADACAcross all dosage forms and strengths

$0.181Up to $0.262

$0.325Up to $0.719

Generic manufacturersActive ANDA holders — FDA Orange Book

514 total ANDAs filed

530 total ANDAs filed

Annualized Part D spendCY2024 — CMS Part D Spending Dashboard

$31.8MFull year

$4.9MFull year

Part D claims (CY24)Total fills, all strengths

1.9M560K beneficiaries

80K22K beneficiaries

Avg cost per claimCalculated: total spend ÷ total claims

$17Per claim, all NDCs

$61Per claim, all NDCs

Part D plans surveyed2026 plan year — CMS Formulary file

329Across CMS plan year

Prior-authorization frictionPlan-NDC pairs requiring PA

40Minimal friction

462Substantial friction

Step therapy appliedPlan-NDC pairs requiring step therapy

0None

FDA shortage statusLive cross-reference vs FDA Drug Shortage Database

DiscontinuedSee drug profile

Generic availableFDA Orange Book

Yes5 manufacturers