What is the Cost of Metformin Without Insurance?

What is Metformin?

Metformin is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat high blood sugar caused by type 2 diabetes in adults and in certain children. For this purpose, it’s used with a healthy diet and exercise.

Brand-name versions of metformin include Fortamet and Glumetza. There is also a brand-name drug called Riomet that contains metformin as its active drug in a liquid form. (Riomet has no generic version.)

Metformin belongs to a drug class called biguanides. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.)

Drug details

Here are some details about metformin:

  • Drug class: biguanide
  • Drug forms: extended-release (ER) oral tablets and immediate-release oral tablets
  • Brand-name versions: Fortamet (ER tablets), Glumetza (ER tablets), Riomet (oral liquid solution)

Read on to learn about metformin and its cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

Metformin cost

As with all medications, the cost of metformin can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much metformin costs out of pocket, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. (Out-of-pocket costs refer to expenses that you’re responsible for paying.)

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.

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 a tablet that you swallow. This form of metformin comes in the following strengths:

  • 500 milligrams (mg)
  • 850 mg
  • 1,000 mg

It 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 with 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 HCl cost with insurance?

The amount of your Metformin HCL copay may vary depending on your insurance plan and the brand. Metformin HCl is an inexpensive prescription drug, so your copay should not vary too much.

With SingleCare, generic Metformin HCL costs $2.34 for a 60-piece 1000MG tablet, which may be lower than your insurance copay. Consult with your pharmacist to determine the best option.

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.

On average, the price of Metformin HCl for uninsured customers is $4.00 for 60 1000MG tablets of Metformin HCl. However, $2.34 for a 60-1000MG tablet of generic Metformin HCL is all you pay with a SingleCare Metformin HCL coupon. From generics to brand-name prescription drugs, you can save as much as 80% with a SingleCare discount card.

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.

What is Metformin Hcl?

Metformin Hcl is a prescription drug used to control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which sugar in the blood is too high due to a decreased sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar out of the blood and into the body’s cells.

Metformin HCL lowers blood sugar by reducing the number of simple sugars (glucose) that the liver produces. Metformin HCL also increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin so that glucose is more efficiently removed from the bloodstream.

Metformin Hcl is usually the first medication to be prescribed to a patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

What are the side effects of metformin HCl?

The most common serious side effect of Metformin Hcl is a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream (lactic acidosis). Too much lactic acid will cause low blood pressure, a drop in body temperature, uneven heart rate, and even death.

Less serious but common side effects include gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lowered levels of B12 in the body, among others. A B12 deficiency may result in anemia.

Patients are often advised or prescribed a Vitamin B12 supplement when taking Metformin Hcl or its generic, metformin.

Allergic reactions to Metformin HCl are rare. They include rashes, itching, swelling, and trouble breathing. Mood and mental changes are also very rare and include anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

However, vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be caused by long-term use of Metformin Hcl, does produce a decline in mental abilities and memory (cognitive impairment).

Is metformin available as a brand-name drug?

Metformin is a generic drug. Extended-release metformin tablets come in the brand-name versions Fortamet and Glumetza.

Riomet, a prescription liquid solution taken by mouth, also contains metformin as its active ingredient. But it isn’t available as a generic.

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.

How can I lower my long-term drug costs?

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 as well as 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 for 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.

Can I get help paying for metformin?

If you need help covering the cost of metformin or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

  • NeedyMeds
  • Medicine Assistance Tool

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.

What should my next steps be?

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?

For helpful tips on managing your condition, eating wisely, and more, sign up for the Healthline type 2 diabetes newsletter.

Healthline has made every effort to ensure that all in formation 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.

Metformin Hcl FAQs

Does Medicare cover Metformin Hcl and how much does it cost?

Metformin HCl is covered by Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans. Patients without Medicare should consider using a SingleCare Metformin HCL coupon.

With SingleCare, you pay only $2.34 for 60 1000MG tablets of generic Metformin HCL at major pharmacies nationwide, such as CVS, Target, Duane Reade, and others.

How to save on Metformin HCl

Because Metformin Hcl is an inexpensive generic, the manufacturers do not offer any Metformin Hcl manufacturer coupons, Metformin Hcl patient assistance, or copay savings cards at this time.

With a free SingleCare savings card, Metformin HCl costs only $2.34 for a bottle of 60 1000MG tablets of generic Metformin HCl. You can use your SingleCare discount card at major retailers (Target), pharmacies (Longs Drugs), grocery store pharmacies (Harris Teeter), and many others.

What is the brand name of Metformin HCl?

Metformin HCl is a generic prescription drug and is sold under several different generic brand names, such as Fortamet (Mylan) and Glumetza (Teva). All other versions of Metformin HCL on the market are generics.

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