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Key takeaways
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.
The FDA has approved a generic version of Jardiance, but it is not yet available; it is expected to be available sometime in 2025 after the branded drug’s patents expire.
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.
If you’ve ever been shocked by the price at the pharmacy counter, you’re not alone. Jardiance (active ingredient empagliflozin) is a widely prescribed brand-name medication for managing Type 2 diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death in people with heart failure and Type 2 diabetes. However, the cost can be challenging with no generic for Jardiance currently available. Here’s what you need to know about Jardiance’s generic availability, how much it costs, and ways to save in the meantime.
Save up to 80% on Jardiance with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
RELATED: Are generic drugs as good as brand-name medicines?
Is there a generic for Jardiance?
No. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a version of generic empagliflozin, it is not available in the U.S. at this time. Only the brand-name version is available in 10 and 25 mg tablet strengths. That means if you’re prescribed Jardiance, you’re paying for the brand-name medication, which typically comes with a higher price tag.
When will generic Jardiance be available?
A patent for Jardiance has been granted to Boehringer Ingelheim, the drug’s manufacturer. This patent includes drug exclusivity until at least February 2025. However, other secondary patents and exclusivity protections are in place. This means generic versions of Jardiance can’t be on the market until these patent protections have expired. At that time, the generic drug will be available.
We may see a generic version of Jardiance sometime in 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 that 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 Aleem Kanji, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and owner of Ethos Endocrinology in Houston, Texas. “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. People without health insurance often need to pay the full cash price of $860 for a 30-day supply of 25 mg of Jardiance. This adds up to over $10,000 for one year of treatment.
How to save on Jardiance until a generic is available
Although there may not be a generic alternative for Jardiance for several more months, 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 $528 for 30, 25 mg tablets with SingleCare. Additionally, you can use a SingleCare prescription discount card on most prescription drugs, not just Jardiance.
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2. Manufacturer coupons
Manufacturers may sometimes offer coupons and rebates to help reduce the out-of-pocket costs of 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 samples available for you to try. However, these savings methods will only get you by in a pinch.
4. Patient assistance programs
Drug manufacturers and nonprofit organizations offer patient assistance programs 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 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 included in your plan’s 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 your state, 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 according to the manufacturer, about 61% of people with Medicare pay between $0 and $50 per month.
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 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 lower blood sugar levels 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, three other FDA-approved SGLT2 inhibitors may be slightly cheaper depending on your insurance and pharmacy. They include Steglatro (ertugliflozin), Invokana (canagliflozin), and Farxiga (dapagliflozin). 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, many alternative drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus have generic versions. These drugs work differently than Jardiance and the other SGLT2 inhibitors; however, they are approved for use in the management of Type 2 diabetes to lower blood glucose levels and may be an effective treatment 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 | $860 per 30, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Jardiance | $528 per 30, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Jardiance at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Metformin | Biguanide | $138 per 180 1,000 mg tablets of generic metformin | $10 for 180, 1,000 mg tablets of generic metformin at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Januvia (sitagliptin) | DPP-4 inhibitor | $718 for 30, 100 mg tablets of brand-name Januvia | $286 for 30, 100 mg tablets of brand-name Januvia at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Starlix (nateglinide) | Meglitinide | $168 for 90, 120 mg tablets of generic nateglinide | $30 for 90, 120 mg tablets of generic nateglinide at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Actos (pioglitazone) | Thiazolidinedione | $2,111 for 90, 30 mg tablets of brand-name Actos | $29 for 90, 30 mg tablets of generic pioglitazone at Food Lion | See latest prices |
| Glyset (miglitol) | Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor | $267 for 90, 25 mg tablets of generic miglitol | $173 for 90, 50 mg tablets of generic miglitol at Walgreens | See latest prices |
| Glucotrol XL (glipizide ER) | Sulfonylurea | $133 for 90, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Glucotrol XL | $16 for 90, 5 mg tablets of generic glipizide ER at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Lantus (insulin glargine) | Long-acting insulin | $307 for 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL solution of brand-name Lantus | $65 for 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL solution of brand-name Lantus at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Novolog Flexpen (insulin lispro) | Rapid-acting insulin | $130 for 1, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL solution pen-injector of brand-name Novolog Flexpen | $29 for 1, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL solution pen-injector of brand-name Novolog Flexpen at Kroger | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Nov. 12, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
RELATED: See more Jardiance alternatives
Thinking about switching medications?
Jardiance isn’t right for everyone. It may not be recommended for people with Type 1 diabetes, kidney or liver conditions, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your healthcare professional if you’re experiencing side effects or want to explore lower-cost options. They can provide medical advice to help you find an effective and affordable medication.
- Jardiance (empagliflozin), Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Generic Competition and Drug Prices, Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) Cares Patient Assistance Program, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2025)