6 Ways to Save on Diabetes Medication Januvia with Alternatives, Coupons, and More

If you have Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare professional may want to prescribe Januvia (sitagliptin) as part of your treatment plan. The average retail price for a 30-day supply can range anywhere from $500 to $700. And since no generic version of Januvia exists, your cost can still be hundreds of dollars even with insurance. 

Luckily, you can save money with discounts, coupons, and other programs. Here’s all you need to know about Januvia, including how to keep your costs down.

When will generic Januvia be available?

This is up in the air. The brand-name version has market exclusivity in the U.S. until May 2026. As a result of a number of lawsuit settlements, however, Januvia’s manufacturer, Merck, has agreed to allow several companies to bring generic versions of Januvia to the market sooner, under certain conditions. 

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For example, Zituvio (sitagliptin), which is manufactured by Zydus, was FDA-approved in October 2023. An authorized generic version of Zituvio, marketed as sitagliptin, is now commercially available in the U.S. This could reduce the cost of treatment if you need sitagliptin. This version of sitagliptin is also approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, so your healthcare professional may opt to prescribe it instead of Januvia.

However, no date is set in stone for when more generic versions will be available. The FDA must give its approval to any other potential generics first. So, it's still a wait-and-see situation.

6 ways to save on Januvia

Below, we discuss six ways you can save on Januvia, whether you have insurance or not. 

1. Save on Januvia with GoodRx

Insurance isn't the only way to save on your prescriptions. Whether you have a high copay or no insurance, GoodRx offers discounts for Januvia and generic sitagliptin online and via app. 

To get a GoodRx coupon, look up your prescription on the GoodRx website or mobile app. Click "set your location" to find deals for pharmacies near you. Even if you're insured, it's worth checking to compare prices.

2. Use Januvia coupons

Merck offers a manufacturer savings card to privately insured individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements. If you qualify, you could pay as little as $5 per prescription, and the coupon can be used once every 30 days. You can save up to $150 each time you fill your prescription, for up to a 90-day supply per prescription fill.  

Your Januvia coupon cannot be combined with a prescription savings card, free trial, or other offers. If you are covered under Medicaid or don’t have insurance, you are not eligible to use this coupon. Before you fill your prescription, check your coupon’s expiration date and review the eligibility rules to ensure the coupon is valid. 

3. Check your insurance coverage 

If you have health insurance, you may be able to split the cost of your medication with your insurance company. Most employer-sponsored health plans and Medicare cover Januvia. Review your health plan to get a better understanding of your coverage. You’ll also want to determine the following: 

• Is prior authorization required? 

• Do you have a copay? 

• How much is your deductible? 

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• Save with tax deductions: You may be able to deduct the cost of Januvia on your tax return if you meet these requirements. 

• Health savings account (HSA) benefits: Use your HSA to pay for prescription medications such as Januvia and gain access to other benefits.

• Side effects: The most common side effect is cold symptoms, but here are a few more possible side effects when taking Januvia

4. Try Januvia alternatives

Januvia (sitagliptin) itself does not have a lower-cost generic available. Luckily, there are many diabetes medications that do. Each of them manages your blood sugar in different ways. Your prescriber can suggest which ones might suit you best. Here's a list of some alternative medications that treat Type 2 diabetes:

• Actos (pioglitazone)

• Amaryl (glimepiride) 

• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

Metformin is a common first-choice diabetes medication that can lower A1C levels by 1% to 2%. If you're receiving Januvia and metformin, consider Janumet, which combines both in one pill. But remember, switching to Janumet requires a new prescription.

5. Use Merck’s patient assistance program

MerckHelps offers a patient assistance program for individuals without insurance who have limited incomes. If you qualify, you can receive your medication at no cost for up to 1 year. If you are still experiencing financial or medical hardship after a year, you can reapply. Review the application requirements to determine if you qualify, and call 1-800-727-5400 if you have any questions.

6. Ask about free samples

Medicine manufacturers, including Merck, sometimes send samples of brand-name medications to healthcare professionals. These samples can be given to individuals who might otherwise have difficulty paying for their medicine every month. You can ask your healthcare professionals about free samples. Sometimes the healthcare office may have a limited supply of Januvia on hand. They also can request samples, vouchers, or coupons directly from Merck.

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Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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