Januvia (sitagliptin) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with changes in diet and exercise.
For more information about Januvia’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Januvia:
- Drug form: oral tablet
- Generic version: not available
Read on to learn about Januvia and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Januvia can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Januvia has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Januvia will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Januvia. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Januvia in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Januvia requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Januvia.
Is a manufacturer coupon or copay card available for Januvia?
Yes. You can find out whether you qualify for any discounts through the manufacturer’s website. If you have questions about using a copay card for Januvia, you can also call 877-264-2454.
For more information on cost savings programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below for options.
How does the price of Januvia 100 mg compare with the other strengths, including 50 mg?
The price you pay for Januvia may vary depending on the strength. Januvia comes in three strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 100 mg.
The price you pay may also depend on whether you have insurance or are using any discounts or coupons for Januvia. Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider, if you have coverage, for more information about your cost for Januvia.
What is the cost of Januvia with Medicare?
There’s no coupon for Medicare available for Januvia. Your cost depends on your specific Medicare plan. Each plan may have a different copay.
Talk with your Medicare plan sponsor for more information about your cost for Januvia.
How much does Januvia cost without insurance?
Your cost for Januvia without insurance depends on what pharmacy you use. Talk with your pharmacist about what your “cash price” for Januvia will be. That’s what you’ll pay, out of pocket, without any discounts or insurance.
Januvia is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Januvia long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Januvia. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Januvia may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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 need financial support to pay for Januvia, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- There is a coupon card available for Januvia. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 877-264-2454 or visit the program website.
- The manufacturer of Januvia has a patient assistance program. You can learn more about it here or by calling 800-727-5400.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Januvia, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Januvia. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Januvia.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Januvia, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Januvia and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about Januvia’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Januvia prescribing information.
- Interactions. You can find out more about what Januvia interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about diabetes. For more information about diabetes, see our diabetes hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.