Key takeaways
Januvia is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor drug FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.
The average cost of Januvia is around $696 per month without insurance, but it is typically covered by health insurance or Medicare prescription plans.
Uninsured patients can save money by using a SingleCare prescription discount card, purchasing an insurance plan that covers Januvia, asking about a 90-day supply, enrolling in the manufacturer’s patient assistance program, or exploring government-supported programs.
Januvia (sitagliptin) is a brand-name drug that increases insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. As a brand-name drug with no generic version, Januvia can be difficult to afford for people without insurance coverage for the drug. However, there are several reliable ways to save, even without insurance coverage.
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How much does Januvia cost?
Without insurance coverage or other financial assistance, the average retail price of Januvia is $696 per bottle of 30 tablets. At that price, treatment costs about $23 per day. A full year of treatment could cost more than $8,000 unless some financial assistance is found.
Fortunately, that price isn’t set in stone. Private health insurance, employer-sponsored health insurance, and Medicare prescription plans usually cover Januvia, although the coverage and terms can vary based on the insurance plan. Some might require prior authorization, which usually requires the healthcare provider to submit documentation that Januvia is medically necessary. The insurance company could also require step therapy, where you try other (typically less expensive) medications first.
The cost of Januvia with insurance can vary widely based on how your insurance provider classifies it. Formularies, lists of covered drugs, group medications into tiers, with generics on the lower tiers and brand-name drugs on the middle and higher tiers. Typically, Januvia is somewhere in the middle, so the out-of-pocket cost could be higher than it would be for a generic. However, the manufacturer offers a Januvia Savings Card for people with insurance. With this Januvia copay card, eligible insured patients can reduce the copay cost to a manageable level.
Medicare is different. As of Jan. 1, 2026, Januvia is now a steeply discounted Maximum Fair Price drug for Medicare prescription drug plans. The out-of-pocket cost should be considerably lower for certain drugs than it is for people with commercial health insurance.
Can I get Januvia for free?
Individuals who meet certain income requirements can get free Januvia through the MerckHelps program. Developed by Januvia’s manufacturer, this patient assistance program provides free medications to people who don’t have insurance and need help covering their costs. To receive these benefits, patients must meet strict eligibility requirements and apply to the program. Your prescriber can help with this process, or you can visit the MerckHelps website for more information and an application form.
How to save money on Januvia
Insurance and MerckHelps aren’t the only ways to save money on Januvia prescriptions. Here are a few other ways to decrease out-of-pocket costs.
1. Get free Januvia coupons from SingleCare
A SingleCare Januvia coupon card could discount the price of Januvia by $400, depending on the pharmacy. Our lowest price for a one-month supply of Januvia is $286 at Kroger, as compared to the average retail price of $696. Signing up is free and will allow you to accumulate greater discounts on future purchases. You can use SingleCare even if you have insurance or Medicare, but you have to use either SingleCare or insurance coverage.
2. Ask about a 90-day prescription
In certain cases, 90-day prescriptions can lead to lower costs and higher adherence. These larger prescriptions aren’t ideal for every situation, though. For example, David Nazarian, MD, founder of My Concierge MD, says 90-day refills can be less expensive per pill but also have higher upfront costs. Plus, he says that some insurance plans only cover 30-day prescriptions. That said, larger prescriptions might be helpful for some uninsured patients or in cases where the insurance plan incentivizes a 90-day volume by lowering the out-of-pocket cost, so it could be worthwhile to ask your healthcare provider about it.
3. Consider different insurance plans
For people who already have insurance but do not have satisfactory coverage for Januvia, it may be worthwhile to consider a different plan during Open Enrollment. Every plan is different, and some might provide better Januvia coverage than others.
4. Research Medicare Extra Help and Medicaid
Extra Help is a program for people who have drug coverage through Medicare Part D but still need assistance paying for their medications. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal and state governments, and it’s available to anyone who meets their state’s requirements. Individuals who qualify for Extra Help will often also qualify for Medicaid, depending on state-specific criteria.
5. Compare prices
Prescription medication prices can vary significantly between pharmacies, even pharmacies in the same area. In fact, a 2019 study from the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups found patients could save $102–$5,400 per year by shopping around for the lowest price compared to even the mid-range price of the drug. The SingleCare website and mobile app make it easy to compare prices at pharmacies near you.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Januvia?
There’s a long list of diabetes medications on the market, and some of them might be less expensive than Januvia or have lower copays with insurance. However, each drug has pros and cons, and one may be more ideal than another for certain patients or situations. Dr. Nazarian says the benefits of Januvia include a low risk of hypoglycemia and other side effects, and that it will not cause weight loss or gain. “The cons of Januvia include only a 0.5%–1% reduction in A1C, while other alternatives, including GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Trulicity, and Victoza), SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., Jardiance and Invokana), and insulin (e.g., Lantus and Novolog), have an A1C reduction of 1%–2%.”
Some common Januvia alternatives include single-ingredient or combination drugs with one or more of the following ingredients:
- Other DPP-4 inhibitors: These are drugs in the same class as Januvia, like Onglyza (saxagliptin), Tradjenta (linagliptin), and alogliptin.
- Biguanides: Metformin is the most commonly prescribed diabetes medication. It’s also available as an ingredient in combination diabetes drugs, which contain two or three active ingredients from different drug classes.
- GLP-1 agonists: This class includes popular diabetes drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Victoza (liraglutide), and equally popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide)
- Thiazolidinediones: This drug class includes the medicine Actos (pioglitazone)
- SGLT-2 inhibitors: These include medications like Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin).
This isn’t an exhaustive list of Januvia alternatives, and no matter what the Internet or your insurance provider says, remember this: your healthcare provider knows which medication is best for your particular condition, so always follow their specific medical advice and treatment plan.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of May. 11, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- New lower drug prices under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Help with drug costs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- The real price of medications, U.S. Public Interest Research Groups (2019)
- Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitors, StatPearls (2023)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.