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Key takeaways
Actos is a prescription medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Actos is a brand-name drug, and there are no OTC alternatives available. However, there are several prescription drug alternatives, and some may cost less than Actos.
You can lower the cost of an Actos prescription by using a SingleCare prescription discount card, shopping around at different pharmacies, or considering switching to the generic version or a lower-cost alternative.
Actos is a brand-name medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also known by its generic name, pioglitazone, Actos is typically prescribed along with diet and exercise. Without insurance, the average retail price of Actos is $2,111 for 90, 30 mg tablets. While there aren’t any over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives for Actos, there are several ways to lower the price of an Actos prescription.
Related: What is Actos?
How much does Actos (pioglitazone) cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the price of Actos can vary depending on the quantity, dosage, and pharmacy you purchase the drug from. The average price of Actos is $2,111 for 90, 30 mg tablets. This provides a three-month supply of medication—meaning the annual cost of Actos treatment is over $8,000.
How much does generic Actos cost?
Actos is a brand-name prescription drug. It is also sold in a generic form called pioglitazone. Without insurance, Actos costs $2,111 for 90, 30 mg tablets. Generic Actos—which is known as pioglitazone—costs $879 for 90, 30 mg tablets without insurance.
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actos | $2111 per 90, 30 mg tablets | $20 per 90, 30 mg tablets of generic Actos | See latest prices |
| Generic Actos (pioglitazone) | $879 per 90, 30 mg tablets | $20 per 90, 30 mg tablets of generic Actos | See latest prices |
| Metformin | $165 per 60, 500 mg tablets | $5 per 60, 500 mg tablets of metformin | See latest prices |
| Januvia (sitagliptin) | $736 per 30, 100 mg tablets | $286 per 30, 100 mg tablets of brand-name Januvia | See latest prices |
| Jardiance (empagliflozin) | $874 per 30, 25 mg tablets | $528 per 30, 25 mg tablets of brand-name Jardiance | See latest prices |
| Starlix (nateglinide) | $171 per 90, 120 mg tablets | $32 per 90, 120 mg tablets of generic Starlix | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. 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. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
Actos costs by dose
The price of Actos can vary depending on the quantity and dosage prescribed.
| Strength | SingleCare price of brand-name | SingleCare price of generic |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mg of Actos | $1,142 for 90, 15 mg tablets of Actos | $16 for 90, 15 mg tablets of generic Actos |
| 30 mg of Actos | $1,744 for 90, 30 mg tablets of Actos | $20 for 90, 30 mg tablets of generic Actos |
| 45 mg of Actos | $1,892 for 90, 45 mg tablets of Actos | $16 for 90, 45 mg tablets of generic Actos |
| See our lowest price for Actos without insurance |
Is Actos (pioglitazone) covered by insurance?
Brand-name Actos typically isn’t covered by private insurance companies or Medicare plans. However, the generic version, pioglitazone, may be. The out-of-pocket cost of pioglitazone will vary depending on the particular plan and your insurance coverage.
How to get Actos covered by insurance
A valid prescription is needed for insurance plans to cover Actos. However, because most insurance and Medicare plans don’t cover the brand-name version, you’d likely need to switch to generic Actos.
How to get Actos (pioglitazone) without insurance
Obtaining medications without insurance can be costly, especially if they are brand-name medications like Actos. Fortunately, there are several ways to lower the price of an Actos prescription. Manufacturer-sponsored coupons and patient assistance programs are sometimes available, but not everyone is eligible for these discounts. Here are ways to make an Actos prescription more affordable:
Use a SingleCare prescription discount card
A SingleCare prescription discount card can lower the cost of Actos by up to 80%. Without insurance, the average retail price of Actos is $2,111 for 90, 30 mg tablets. A SingleCare coupon can bring this price down to $20 per 90, 30 mg tablets of generic Actos. It’s free to use the coupon, and it can be used at over 35,000 pharmacies nationwide, such as CVS.
Switching to the generic version
Brand-name medications are more expensive than generic medications. Actos is no exception. Switching to the generic version, pioglitazone, can lower the medication cost to $20 for 90, 30 mg tablets compared to $1,744 for the brand-name version. This can save you almost $7,000 annually.
Considering switching to a lower-cost alternative
There isn’t an OTC substitute for Actos, however, several prescription alternatives are available, and some cost less than Actos. Talk to your doctor about which alternatives would be right for you. They can discuss each alternative’s side effects, warnings, and drug interactions. Your healthcare provider can also help you compare the cost of each drug.
Shop around at different pharmacies
The cost of Actos may vary depending on the pharmacy you purchase from. To find the best price, check the cost at your local retail, chain, independent, and mail-order pharmacies.
- Actos prescribing information, DailyMed (2025)