Key takeaways:
Without insurance, 30 tablets of Januvia (sitagliptin) 100 mg cost an average of $507.09.
Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on factors such as your pharmacy, your location, and whether you receive brand-name Januvia or generic sitagliptin.
You could save money by using a GoodRx coupon, manufacturer copay savings card, or patient assistance program. You may also be able to switch to a lower-cost alternative.
Save on related medications
If you’re living with Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare professional may prescribe Januvia (sitagliptin) to help manage your blood glucose (sugar). Before filling your prescription, it’s a good idea to understand how much it will cost.
Brand-name Januvia can cost several hundred dollars per month without insurance. But lower-cost generic sitagliptin is now available, and switching could save you money. There are also several other ways to potentially lower the cost of your prescription.
Here’s what you need to know about Januvia pricing and how to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
How much does Januvia cost without insurance?
Without insurance, 30 tablets of brand-name Januvia 100 mg cost an average of $507.09. (This is a 30-day supply for most people.) However, the exact price of your prescription will depend on factors such as your pharmacy and dosage.
Here are the average retail prices for common quantities and doses of brand-name Januvia and generic sitagliptin.
What factors affect the cost of Januvia?
Several factors can affect how much you’ll pay for Januvia.
Brand-name vs. generic availability
Sitagliptin is available as the brand-name medications Januvia and Zituvio. Both of these medications contain sitagliptin. But Zituvio contains a different salt form that was developed to address concerns about nitrosamine impurities found in some Januvia tablets.
As of June 2026, a generic version of Januvia is also available in the U.S. There’s also an authorized generic of Zituvio. The authorized generic is the same medication as Zituvio, but without the brand name on the label.
In general, generic medications cost less than brand-name medications. If your prescriber determines that a generic version of sitagliptin is appropriate for you, it may help lower your prescription costs.
Dosage
The recommended Januvia dosage is 100 mg by mouth once daily. But if you have kidney problems, your healthcare professional may prescribe you a lower dosage (likely 25 mg or 50 mg daily).
The dose and quantity you’re prescribed can affect the total price you pay.
Location
Prescription medication prices can vary by city, state, and region due to local market conditions and pharmacy pricing. For example, according to GoodRx research, medications are typically more affordable in Denver than in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Pharmacy
Different pharmacies may charge different prices for the same medications. Even pharmacies in the same neighborhood can have significantly different cash prices for Januvia and generic sitagliptin.
Comparing prices ahead of time with a tool like the GoodRx app can help you find the lowest-cost option near you.
Insurance coverage
If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications), deductible, and copay or coinsurance.
What to do if Januvia isn’t covered by your insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover Januvia, try these options:
Ask about generic sitagliptin. Generic sitagliptin is now available and typically costs less than brand-name Januvia.
Request a formulary exception. If your prescriber believes that brand-name Januvia is medically necessary, they can request a formulary exception on your behalf.
File an appeal if the request is denied. You have the right to file an appeal if your plan doesn’t approve an exception.
Compare plans during open enrollment. You may be able to find a plan that offers better coverage for your medications. Before enrolling in a new plan, just be sure to check the formulary to see how coverage for Januvia and your other medications works.
Ask your prescriber about alternatives
Depending on your medical history, treatment goals, and insurance coverage, your prescriber may be able to recommend another diabetes medication that costs less or is covered better by your plan. Examples of potential options include:
If you’ve been prescribed both Januvia and metformin, consider Janumet. This combination pill contains sitagliptin and metformin, and it has a lower-cost generic available.
Ways to save on Januvia
Whether or not you have insurance, there are strategies that may help lower your costs. Here are six to consider.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
Using insurance isn’t the only way to save on your prescriptions. GoodRx offers discounts on Januvia and generic sitagliptin online and via the app.
Here’s what you might pay for different quantities and doses of brand-name Januvia and generic sitagliptin with a GoodRx coupon.
Quantity and form | Dose | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets of Januvia | 25 mg | |
30 tablets of Januvia | 50 mg | |
30 tablets of Januvia | 100 mg | |
30 tablets of generic sitagliptin | 25 mg | |
30 tablets of generic sitagliptin | 50 mg | |
30 tablets of generic sitagliptin | 100 mg |
To get a GoodRx coupon:
Search for your medication on the GoodRx website or mobile app, and select the correct quantity and dose.
Click “set your location” to find deals at pharmacies near you.
Choose to receive the coupon via text or email, or you can print it out.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your medication. Or present the coupon to your pharmacy staff when your prescriber first sends over your prescription. This will help prevent delays at the pickup counter.
Keep in mind: GoodRx savings may vary by pharmacy and location. The GoodRx website and app can help you compare prices in your area.
2. Use the manufacturer’s cash-pay pricing program
If you’re uninsured or have commercial insurance but choose to pay out of pocket, you may be eligible for the Merck Cash-Pay Gateway program. If you qualify, you could receive a 30-day supply of Januvia for $84.57. And the medication would shipped directly from Eversana Pharmacy.
Keep in mind that the program isn’t available to people enrolled in government-funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid. It also isn’t available in Massachusetts or California, since a generic is on the market. Only people living in another state in the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii are eligible.
Before enrolling, make sure you’ll save more through the cash-pay program than you would by filling a generic version or applying discounts like GoodRx coupons.
3. Enroll in Merck’s patient assistance program
MerckHelps offers a patient assistance program for uninsured people who have limited income. If you qualify, you could receive Januvia at no cost for up to 1 year. And if you’re still experiencing financial or medical hardship after a year, you would be able to reapply.
To qualify for the program, you must:
Live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory
Have a prescription for Januvia from a healthcare professional licensed in the U.S.
Be uninsured
Meet household income requirements
If you think you’re eligible, call 1-800-727-5400 to start the application process. Or download the application online. After you finish your portion, your prescriber will need to complete and sign the application before it’s submitted by mail.
4. Ask about free samples
Medication manufacturers, including Merck, sometimes send samples of brand-name medications to healthcare professionals. These samples are often given to individuals who might otherwise have difficulty accessing their medication every month.
You can ask your healthcare professional about free samples of Januvia. Sometimes, healthcare offices have a limited supply of Januvia on hand. But your prescriber can request samples, vouchers, or coupons directly from Merck.
5. Ask about a 90-day supply
In most cases, Januvia is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. Ask your pharmacy or insurance provider about filling a 90-day supply instead of 3 monthly supplies. This can reduce the number of copays you have and lower your out-of-pocket costs.
6. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
If you have a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you may be able to use the pretax dollars in your account to pay for Januvia. This can lower your overall healthcare costs by reducing your taxable income. Just be sure to save your receipts to show proof of eligible expenses.
Keep in mind that these accounts have different rules. HSA funds don’t expire, while FSA funds typically need to be used within a certain time frame. HRA rules vary by employer.
The bottom line
Without insurance, 30 tablets of Januvia (sitagliptin) 100 mg cost an average of $507.09. The exact price of your prescription will depend on your dose, the quantity, and where you fill your prescription.
If cost is a concern, there are several ways to save on Januvia. Examples include switching to generic sitagliptin, using a GoodRx coupon, or taking advantage of the Merck Cash-Pay Gateway.
Why trust our experts?
References
Apotex. (2026). Apotex launches sitagliptin tablets and sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride tablets, eligible for 180-day shared exclusivity.
Dunleavy, K. (2023). Merck found the source of Januvia contamination, plans to fix the issue this year: Report. Fierce Pharma.
MerckHelps. (n.d.). Januvia. Merck.
Zydus Lifesciences. (2023). Zydus receives USFDA approval for Zituvio to treat adult patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. PR Newswire.
