6 Lantus savings tips

In this article:

• How much does Lantus cost?
• Can I get Lantus for free?
• How to save
• Lantus alternatives

In this article

• How much does Lantus cost?
• Can I get Lantus for free?
• How to save
• Lantus alternatives

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a brand-name prescription medication used to control blood sugar levels (blood glucose) in people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Importantly, it is not FDA-approved to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. As a synthetic form of human insulin, Lantus is classified as a biologic. It is also a long-acting insulin. “Think about Lantus as a straight line keeping blood sugar steady versus the peaks that occur after eating, which is what short-acting insulin targets,” says Troy Alexander-EL, MD, a board-certified internal medicine and primary care physician in Portland, Oregon.

Insulin is a life-saving necessity for many people with diabetes, but unfortunately, brand-name insulin glargine injections like Lantus can be costly. The good news is that there are ways to reach maximum savings on this prescription drug, including SingleCare discount coupons, copay savings cards, and other financial assistance.

How much does Lantus cost?

Before insurance or discounts, the average retail price of Lantus is $319 for 1, 10 mL of a 100-unit/mL vial. The average price of Lantus Solostar, which is Lantus in a prefilled injection pen instead of a vial, is $88 for 1, 3 mL of 100 units/mL Solostar pen. 

“Insulin is typically dosed based on a formula that includes weight and age,” Dr. Alexander-EL says. That means the daily dosage for long-acting insulin varies widely from person to person. For example, a person needing 3,000 units of insulin per month could pay up to $960 for three vials of Lantus or $890 for 10 pens of Lantus Solostar. Keep in mind, the manufacturer recommends that the pharmacy dispense the entire original sealed carton with 5 pens when dispensing Lantus Solostar. The FDA supports dispensing full cartons as well. There may not be an option to only purchase one pen at a time.

Many people use insurance to lower their out-of-pocket costs of Lantus. Insurance coverage of Lantus varies by policy. People enrolled in Medicare Part D often pay $35 per month or less for Lantus. Most Medicaid enrollees also get insulin for free or at a significantly reduced price, but coverage of Lantus specifically (versus other insulins) may vary by state. 

Can I get Lantus for free?

You may be able to qualify for free prescription Lantus through Sanofi Patient Connection, a patient assistance program from Sanofi, the drug’s manufacturer. However, you must meet the following strict eligibility criteria:

• You must be a resident of the U.S. or a U.S. territory.
• You must be under the care of a US-licensed healthcare professional who can legally prescribe, dispense, and administer drugs.
• You must have no insurance coverage for Lantus.
• You must have an annual household income equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $15,650 for an individual or $32,150 for a family of four in 2025.
• If you may be eligible for Medicaid, you must be able to provide documentation of Medicaid denial. 

The application for Sanofi Patient Connection is available online. Documentation for proof of income and your healthcare provider’s contact information may be required.

How to save money on Lantus

Need help paying for Lantus? Here are some ways to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

1. Free Lantus coupon card

You can use free SingleCare coupons from a SingleCare prescription discount card to save thousands of dollars on prescription medications like Lantus. With a SingleCare coupon, you could pay as low as $69 for one 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial of Lantus or $21 for one 3 mL of 100 unit/mL Solostar pen — that’s hundreds less than the average retail price. Price may vary by quantity, pharmacy, and location.

To access SingleCare savings, show your pharmacist the SingleCare app, savings card, or coupon next time you fill your Lantus prescription. If you have health insurance, you can still use SingleCare coupons by opting to pay the cash price instead of billing through insurance. You can’t double up and use insurance in addition to the discount, but sometimes using a coupon is cheaper than opting for insurance coverage. 

2. Drug company savings programs

Sanofi, the manufacturer of Lantus, has two savings offers: a copay savings card and the Insulins Valyou Savings Program.

The copay program is for commercially insured patients still struggling to afford Sanofi insulins. Eligible patients can use the card to pay $35 or less for a 30-day supply of Lantus (up to 10 packs per fill). The Lantus website has eligibility requirements.

The Insulins Valyou Savings Program is for cash payers. It is available to uninsured people or those with commercial insurance who pay cash instead. The program allows eligible patients to get Lantus for $35 per month. More information about this program is available at the Lantus website.

3. Compare prices

Medication prices can vary by pharmacy and location. In fact, some pharmacies may charge more than others even within the same city. Shop around and compare prices before filling your Lantus prescription to make sure you’re paying the lowest price possible. The SingleCare site lets you do this right from your phone or computer.

4. Switch insurance plans

Not all insurance plans cover Lantus, but some do. Diabetes is a long-term condition, so it may be worth switching health insurance providers to help afford treatment. 

Unless you have had a change in household or job status, there is a limited window of time when you can switch health insurance plans in the United States. You can’t switch providers until the Open Enrollment Period — usually November to January — but it’s a good idea to do your research in advance so that you know which plan makes the most sense for you.

5. Check Medicaid eligibility 

If you are struggling to afford Lantus due to a recent change in income or job status, you might qualify for Medicaid. All or most of the cost of Lantus may be covered under Medicaid prescription benefits in some states. Check your state’s Medicaid program and its formulary to find out which insulin products are covered. 

Anyone unsure how to apply for Medicaid can learn more by speaking with their local government entity for human services.

6. Talk to a diabetes educator for help

Many hospitals and healthcare systems can connect patients to certified diabetes educators (CDEs). Diabetes educators might be able to help you find local financial assistance programs and teach you how to properly inject Lantus, especially if you have recently started insulin for the first time. 

“It is important to get teaching from a diabetes nurse educator, to go over injection techniques, before starting insulin,” says Cynthia Odogwu, MD, a Maryland-based, board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Kambili Health. “Ask your doctor for a referral if it is not offered.” Many pharmacists are also CDEs and may be able to assist.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Lantus?

Lantus isn’t the only insulin on the market. You might be able to pay significantly less by switching to a lower-cost insulin – usually a generic or biosimilar insulin. 

Fortunately, Lantus now has a generic version, known as insulin glargine. There is also an alternative insulin, Semglee (Insulin Glargine-Yfgn), which is nearly identical. “Having two medicines that work the same and are equally safe improves the availability of insulin for my patients, and in a situation where there was, say, a shortage of Lantus, I would prescribe Semglee and vice versa,” says Dr. Odogwu.

In July 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Semglee as the first interchangeable biosimilar insulin. “Interchangeable” is an important distinction because that means patients prescribed Lantus can request Semglee instead of Lantus without prior approval from their prescriber. Before insurance or other discounts, Semglee costs $110 for one 3 mL of 100-unit/mL injection pen. You can reduce that price to as low as $20 with a SingleCare coupon.

Bottom line: Diabetes mellitus can be life-threatening, so being able to pay for insulin is critical. People with Type 1 diabetes need daily insulin injections to survive, and many people with Type 2 diabetes need insulin as their condition worsens. Brand-name insulins like Lantus are expensive, but there are insurance plans, patient assistance programs, and free coupons to help offset the cost. Never stop using insulin because you can’t afford it. If you’re struggling to pay for your insulin, tell your prescriber. A healthcare professional can help pinpoint the best insulin for your health needs and budget.