Is a Janumet generic available?

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Janumet?
• How much is Janumet?
• Is Janumet covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Janumet

In this article

• Is there a generic for Janumet?
• How much is Janumet?
• Is Janumet covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Janumet

Janumet is a brand-name prescription drug used to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It contains two active ingredients — sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and metformin (a biguanide) — that work together to lower blood sugar by boosting insulin production and reducing glucose production in the liver. Janumet is also available in an extended-release version called Janumet XR, which contains sitagliptin and extended-release metformin.

Like many brand-name medications, Janumet can be expensive. Unfortunately, there is no generic version available in the United States — but there are still ways to lower the cost of Janumet or get additional information about affordable alternatives.

Is there a generic for Janumet?

“Janumet is still only available in brand name,” says Blair Gingerich, Pharm.D., an ambulatory care pharmacist in northern Indiana and a member of the SingleCare Medical Board. But the good news is that you might not need to wait long for a generic. Multiple generic drug companies will be allowed to bring a generic version of Janumet to market in May 2026. These generics will still need FDA approval, so the exact timing may vary.

According to Gingerich, your pharmacist is more likely than your prescriber to know when generic Janumet becomes available since U.S. pharmacies will receive a shipment of the generic drug as soon as it is released. 

Source: Janumet (DailyMed)

How much is Janumet?

Before insurance or other discounts, the average retail price of Janumet is $687 for 60, 50-1000 mg tablets. Janumet dosage can vary by person, but a standard dose of 50/1000 mg twice daily can add up to more than $8,000 per year at retail price.

A free SingleCare discount card or coupon can lower the cash price of Janumet. For example, a SingleCare coupon can lower the price to as low as $325 for 60, 50-1000 mg tablets at Kroger pharmacy. Prices do vary by pharmacy and location. 

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing at Kroger pharmacy in ZIP code 23666 as of December 10, 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.

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Janumet 50-1000 mg (59 Tablet)

23666 - Hampton, VA

$324.74

i Price with signup

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$324.74

i Price with signup

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See Janumet prices at all pharmacies

Is Janumet covered by insurance?

“Janumet being covered by insurance is not likely, but it is not impossible,” according to JaLorean Hayes, MPH, BSN, registered nurse and founder of Meal Maps. She says plans that do cover it will likely require a patient to first try less expensive medications, a process known as step therapy. Even if your health insurance or Medicare Part D plan does cover Janumet, this drug may be in a higher drug tier, resulting in a higher copay. 

Ultimately, the only way to know if your insurance plan covers Janumet is to check your plan’s drug formulary (list of covered drugs) or contact your insurance provider. Whether you log in to your account on the provider’s website or call the customer service line, it’s a good idea to have your insurance card with you so you can check your account and group numbers.

Generic alternatives to Janumet

In most cases, generic drugs cost less than brand-name drugs. When generic Janumet becomes available, your pharmacist may be able to dispense generic sitagliptin-metformin if your prescription is for brand-name Janumet. Laws on generic substitution may vary by state, but there’s no harm in asking your pharmacist about the possibility.

Until a generic is available, here are some potential Janumet alternatives to discuss with your healthcare provider:

• Metformin hydrochloride (metformin HCl)
• Glipizide
• Glipizide/metformin
• Glyburide
• Glyburide/metformin
• Repaglinide

Hayes also suggests asking your healthcare provider about combining two generics, alogliptin and metformin. “These medications together have very similar mechanisms of action as Janumet and usually at a much lower cost,” she says.

In some cases, your insurance plan may offer better coverage for a different brand-name diabetes treatment. Potentially lower-cost brand-name alternatives to Janumet include Jardiance, Rybelsus, and Xigduo XR.

It’s important to understand that none of these drugs is an exact copy of Janumet, like a generic version will be. The active ingredients, benefits, potential risks, and known interactions of these drugs may vary. That’s why you should never switch diabetes medicines without personalized medical advice from a healthcare professional who knows your medical history, health conditions, and other medications (including over-the-counter medications and supplements).

Bottom line: If you are struggling to afford your brand-name Janumet prescription, tell your doctor. It’s essential that you do not run out of your prescription because suddenly stopping an antidiabetic medication can cause dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).