If you’re looking at treatment options for type 2 diabetes, you may want to learn more about Januvia (sitagliptin). It’s a drug prescribed to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug is used along with changes in diet and exercise.

Januvia does have some limitations of use:

Januvia comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on Januvia and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Januvia, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Januvia can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Januvia, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Januvia. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Januvia in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Januvia requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Januvia requires prior authorization.

If you need help covering the cost of Januvia or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

A Januvia coupon may also be available for this medication. For more information, call 877-264-2454 or visit the program website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Januvia and cost.

What’s the Januvia 100-mg tablet price in the U.S.A., compared to the 25-mg or 50-mg tablets?

The cost of Januvia tablets in the U.S.A. will depend on many factors, including:

  • your insurance plan
  • your dosage of Januvia
  • the pharmacy you use

Due to these factors, you should contact your insurance provider to find out what your cost of Januvia may be. They’ll be able to determine how much the 100-mg Januvia tablets will cost you compared to the 25-mg or 50-mg tablets.

How much does Januvia cost with Medicare? Is there a coupon I can use with Medicare?

Your cost for Januvia with Medicare can depend on many factors, including your dosage, the pharmacy you use, and your specific Medicare coverage.

At this time, there’s not a coupon available for use with Medicare. But if you’re having trouble paying for Januvia, the drugmaker may be able to help. Visit their webpage to see if you qualify for assistance.

If you have Medicare, you can call the member phone number on your insurance card. They can tell you what the cost of Januvia would be with your plan.

What’s the cost of Januvia without insurance?

The cost of Januvia without insurance depends on many factors, including your dosage and the pharmacy you use. So the best way to determine your cost for the drug is by asking your pharmacist.

Unfortunately, there’s not a coupon available through the drugmaker of Januvia for people without insurance. But if you’re having trouble paying for Januvia, they may still be able to help. Visit their webpage to see if you qualify for assistance.

Januvia only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication, but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Januvia long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Januvia if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Januvia, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Januvia. And you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you still have questions about the cost of Januvia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Januvia.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will my dosage of Januvia affect how much it costs me?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford Januvia?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs available instead of Januvia?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.