Metformin is a generic prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin’s also available as the brand-name drugs Fortamet and Glumetza. This article gives details on metformin and its cost, prices with and without insurance, and resources that could help lower costs.
Metformin treats high blood sugar caused by type 2 diabetes in adults and certain children. For this purpose, your doctor will likely recommend you take it alongside a balanced, nutritious diet and exercise.
Metformin comes as immediate-release and extended-release oral tablets.
For more details on metformin, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for metformin can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on the form of metformin your doctor prescribes for you.
To find out how much you’ll pay for metformin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about metformin and cost.
Do the different forms and strengths of metformin vary in price?
Yes, metformin price may vary depending on the form and strength.
Metformin comes as an immediate-release (IR) tablet that you swallow. This type of tablet starts releasing medication as soon as you take it. Metformin IR comes in the following strengths:
- 500 milligrams (mg)
- 850 mg
- 1,000 mg
It also comes as a time-release tablet as well, which is also called an extended-release (ER) tablet. This is a type of tablet that releases medication slowly over time. Metformin ER comes in the following strengths:
- 500 mg
- 1,000 mg
If you have questions about costs for the different strengths or forms of metformin, talk with your pharmacist.
How much does metformin cost without insurance?
Different factors can affect the price you pay for metformin, with or without insurance. Your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company can provide more information on what metformin will cost you without insurance.
Even with insurance, you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs for metformin. (Out-of-pocket costs are expenses that you’re responsible for.) You can check with your insurance company or pharmacist to learn more.
Metformin is a generic drug. However, extended-release metformin tablets also come in the brand-name versions Fortamet and Glumetza.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out how the costs of Fortamet or Glumetza and metformin compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Also, talk with them if you’re interested in finding out the cost of Riomet.
If your doctor has prescribed metformin and you’re interested in using Fortamet or Glumetza, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.
Note: Metformin used to come as a brand-name liquid solution taken by mouth called Riomet. Riomet has been discontinued. There’s no generic form of Riomet available.
If you take metformin long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. This could help lower the cost of metformin and reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of metformin, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Getting your medication by mail order could help lower your cost of metformin. This also means you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You might 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 have suggestions for online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of metformin 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.
If you have questions about how you can pay for metformin, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have more questions about the cost of metformin, 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 price you’d pay for metformin.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Are there other drugs for treating my condition that cost less than metformin?
- Does the strength of metformin affect the cost?
- Do the costs of metformin change depending on the form I use?
- Will the metformin dose I’m prescribed affect how much I pay for the drug?
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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.