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Key takeaways
A generic version of Jardiance is expected to be available as early as 2025 after the drug’s patent expires, potentially lowering the cost significantly.
Jardiance, used to control high blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular risk, currently has no generic alternatives, making it expensive for many patients.
Several strategies to save on Jardiance prescriptions include using SingleCare coupons, manufacturer coupons, patient assistance programs, and exploring insurance coverage options like Medicaid and Medicare.
Alternatives to Jardiance include other SGLT2 inhibitors and different classes of diabetes medications, but switching should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure proper management of Type 2 diabetes.
Is there a generic for Jardiance? | When will Jardiance generic be available? | How much does Jardiance cost? | How to save on Jardiance | How to switch from Jardiance
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects more than 37 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 90% to 95% of those with diabetes. Although it most commonly impacts those older than 45, it can also affect children and young adults.
“Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name prescription medication used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise to help control high blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes,” says Aleem Kanji, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and owner of Ethos Endocrinology in Houston, Texas. “It’s also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with both heart failure and Type 2 diabetes. This can include heart attack, stroke, and other heart conditions.”
Unfortunately, the cost of Jardiance can make it difficult to afford the medication. This article will discuss the cost of Jardiance, if and when we might see a generic Jardiance hit the market and ways to save money on your prescription Jardiance medication in the meantime.
RELATED: Are generic drugs as good as brand-name medicines?
Is there a generic for Jardiance?
Jardiance is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 10 mg and 25 mg tablets, which are to be taken once every morning.
“Unfortunately, there are currently no generic alternatives to Jardiance available for sale. As a result, the cost of Jardiance can be a major concern for many people,” says Dr. Kanji.
When will generic Jardiance be available?
There is currently a patent granted to Boehringer Ingelheim, the drug’s manufacturer, for Jardiance (empagliflozin)—which includes drug exclusivity until Feb. 24, 2025. This means generic versions of Jardiance can’t get FDA approval to join the market until exclusivity has expired. At that time, the generic drug must show that they meet all FDA standards to receive FDA approval.
We may see a generic version of Jardiance as early as 2025. This could help drastically lower the cost of prescription empagliflozin.
In fact, according to the FDA, with just one generic producer, the cost of a generic drug is 39% lower on average than the cost of the brand-name drug. With two generic producers, the cost of the generic drugs is an average of 54% lower than the cost of the brand-name drug. With six or more generic producers, the cost of the generic drugs is an average of 95% lower than the cost of the brand-name drug.
“Generic drug competition generally drives down prescription drug costs, ultimately leading to more affordable drug prices,” says Dr. Kanji. “As a result, drug adherence is often higher since it removes cost as a barrier to taking the medication as prescribed.”
How much does brand-name Jardiance cost?
The cost of brand-name Jardiance will depend on several factors, including the quantity and strength you need, your insurance coverage, and your pharmacy. The average cash price for 30, 25 mg tablets of Jardiance is $750 without insurance.
How to save on Jardiance until a generic is available
Although there may not be a generic alternative for Jardiance for several more years, there are ways to help you save money on your prescription medication in the meantime.
1. SingleCare coupons
SingleCare offers discounts on many prescription medications at no cost to you, including Jardiance. Anyone in the United States can use these free Jardiance coupons at participating pharmacy locations, regardless of insurance or Medicare status. Depending on the pharmacy you choose, a 30-day supply of Jardiance can cost less than $354 for 30, 25 mg tablets with SingleCare. Additionally, you can use a SingleCare prescription discount card on most prescription drugs—not just Jardiance.
2. Manufacturer coupons
Manufacturers may sometimes offer coupons and rebates to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for your prescription medications. Eligibility for these offers is generally strict, so contact the manufacturer to determine eligibility requirements and the specific offer.
3. Free trials
In addition to manufacturer coupons, many drug manufacturers offer free trials of their medications to help you determine if their medication will work for your specific needs. Your healthcare provider may also have free trials available for you to try. Clinical trials may be another option for getting free prescription medication. However, these savings methods will only get you by in a pinch.
4. Patient assistance programs
Patient assistance programs are offered by drug manufacturers and nonprofit organizations to provide discounted or free medications to lower-income patients.
For example, the Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) Cares Patient Assistance Program is a charitable program that helps older adults and families with limited income get Boehringer Ingelheim medications for free or at a discounted price.
Other assistance programs with varying eligibility may also be available for those who do not meet the eligibility requirements for assistance through BI.
5. Health insurance
Many insurance plans will cover the cost of Jardiance; however, it’s important to check on your coverage before filling your prescription so you know what to expect. Your cost may also depend on whether you have met your deductible for the year.
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover your prescription for Jardiance, talk to your healthcare provider about submitting an appeal or switching to a different drug that’s included on your plan’s drug formulary.
6. Medicaid
If you’re unable to afford health insurance, Medicaid may be an option to help you save money on your Jardiance prescription. The cost of Jardiance with Medicaid will range from $0 to $10 for a 30-day supply.
Eligibility for Medicaid will vary depending on the state you live in, so check with your state’s Medicaid office or website to determine whether you are eligible.
RELATED: Does SingleCare work with Medicaid?
7. Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for adults who are 65 years and older and younger people with certain disabilities. Many Medicare plans with prescription coverage, including Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) with drug coverage and stand-alone Medicare drug plans (Part D), will cover Jardiance.
The cost of Jardiance with Medicare will vary but about 61% of people with Medicare pay between $0 and $50 per month according to the manufacturer.
Before enrolling in a plan, review the plan’s formulary to determine your potential out-of-pocket costs associated with Jardiance. If your plan’s formulary doesn’t include Jardiance, you or your healthcare provider can file a formulary exception.
RELATED: Are prescriptions covered by Medicare?
8. Medicare Part D Extra Help
Medicare Extra Help is an assistance program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for the costs associated with Medicare prescription drug plans. This may include assistance with yearly deductibles, monthly premiums, and prescription copays.
To qualify for Extra Help, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.
9. Compare pharmacy prices
Prices for prescription medication will vary depending on the pharmacy you use. This variation is due to a variety of factors, including overhead business costs, prices charged by the pharmaceutical companies, and profit margins.
To get the best price, you can call multiple pharmacies to ask for prices. However, if you plan to use your insurance, you may have to take the prescription to the pharmacy before they will give you a price.
You can also search singlecare.com for your prescription to compare pharmacy prices in your area and find the best price possible on prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Simply type in your drug name and your zip code. It will provide a list of local pharmacy prices as well as the price history of the drug for the past 12 months.
RELATED: How much do pharmacy prices really vary?
10. Cheaper alternatives to Jardiance
Jardiance is part of a drug class known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs function by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose. Instead, the excess glucose leaves the body in the urine.
Although there isn’t currently a generic version of Jardiance available, there are three other SGLT2 inhibitors available that may be slightly cheaper depending on your insurance and pharmacy. They include Steglatro, Invokana, and Farxiga. All of these options, however, are brand-name drugs, so they still come at a premium price.
Although there are no generic versions of SGLT2 inhibitors, there are many alternative drugs available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes that have generic versions available. These drugs work differently than Jardiance and the other SGLT2 inhibitors, however, they are approved for use in the management of Type 2 diabetes and may be an effective option for those needing prescription medication.
Compare Jardiance alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Drug class | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | SingleCare savings options |
| Jardiance (empagliflozin) | SGLT2 inhibitor | $750 per 30, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Jardiance | $354 per 30, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Jardiance | Jardiance coupons |
| Metformin | Biguanide | $4 per 60, 1000 mg tablets of generic metformin HCl | $2 per 60, 1000 mg tablets of generic metformin HCl | Metformin HCl coupons |
| Januvia (sitagliptin) | DPP-4 inhibitor | $695 per 1 bottle of 30 tablets of brand-name Januvia | $336 per 1 bottle of 30 tablets of brand-name Januvia | Januvia coupons |
| Starlix (nateglinide) | Meglitinide | $164 per 90, 120 mg tablets of generic nateglinide | $21 per 90, 120 mg tablets of generic nateglinide | Nateglinide coupons |
| Actos (pioglitazone) | Thiazolidinedione | $743 per 30, 30 mg tablets of brand-name Actos | $9 per 30, 30 mg tablets of generic pioglitazone | Actos coupons |
| Glyset (miglitol) | Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor | $196 per 90, 25 mg tablets of generic miglitol | $28 per 90, 50 mg tablets of generic miglitol | Miglitol coupons |
| Glucotrol XL (glipizide ER) | Sulfonylurea | $340 per 90, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Glucotrol XL | $2 per 30, 2.5 mg tablets of generic glipizide ER | Glucotrol XL coupons |
| Lantus (insulin glargine) | Long-acting insulin | $360 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL solution of brand-name Lantus | $247 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL solution of brand-name Lantus | Lantus coupons |
| Novolog Flexpen (insulin lispro) | Rapid-acting insulin | $147 per 1, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL solution pen-injector of brand-name Novolog Flexpen | $84 per 1, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL solution pen-injector of brand-name Novolog Flexpen | Novolog Flexpen coupons |
* Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.
RELATED: See more Jardiance alternatives
How to switch to a new diabetes medication
As with any prescription medication, Jardiance has its own set of limitations and may not be right for everyone, including those with Type 1 diabetes, a history of infections of the genitals, chronic kidney disease, or other severe kidney problems (including impaired kidney function), those on dialysis, those with liver problems, past or current pancreas problems, high cholesterol levels, low blood pressure, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections in females. Weight loss may also occur while taking Jardiance. More serious side effects include diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), drowsiness, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, and a fast heartbeat. Seek medical advice immediately if you begin to experience serious allergic reactions or side effects.
If you’re interested in changing your diabetes medication, whether it’s due to the cost or side effects, discuss your options with your healthcare provider. They will help you understand your treatment options for your specific medical conditions, as well as the possible side effects associated with each option.
