Is there a generic for Forteo?

In this article:

• Is a generic for Forteo available?
• Forteo generic availability
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Forteo?
• How much does generic Forteo cost?
• Brand vs. generic Forteo prices
• Is Forteo covered by insurance?
• How do you get Forteo covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Forteo
• How to switch from Forteo to teriparatide

In this article

• Is a generic for Forteo available?
• Forteo generic availability
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Forteo?
• How much does generic Forteo cost?
• Brand vs. generic Forteo prices
• Is Forteo covered by insurance?
• How do you get Forteo covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Forteo
• How to switch from Forteo to teriparatide

Forteo is a brand-name drug approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk for fracture, men with a high risk of fracture, and any adult with osteoporosis linked to glucocorticoid use. It’s an injectable form of synthetic parathyroid hormone (PTH), which stimulates bone formation. An estimated 10 million Americans live with osteoporosis, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Forteo isn’t the only osteoporosis treatment, but it is an effective one. It’s also expensive, costing over $5,000 per month without insurance. Given the high price, many people turn to generic drugs to help lower the cost of treatment.

Is a generic for Forteo available?

Yes, a generic form of Forteo was approved in November 2023. It is called injectable teriparatide, which is the active ingredient in Forteo. Brand-name Forteo is only produced by Eli Lilly, but generic teriparatide injections are made by various drug manufacturers, including Teva Pharmaceuticals and Apotex. 

Forteo generic availability
Generic name	Teriparatide
FDA approval date of generic version	November 17, 2023
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	Yes

What are the differences between generic and brand-name Forteo?

Generic and brand-name Forteo are bioequivalent. That is, they have the same active ingredients, FDA-approved uses, and dosages administered with a prefilled pen. Biochemically, they are the same. 

In general, generic drugs and brand-name drugs have the same therapeutic effects because they contain the same active ingredient(s). Generics are cheaper, but they are only available after the brand-name drug is no longer protected by a patent. 

Uses

Forteo and teriparatide are both FDA approved to treat osteoporosis in the following populations: 

• Postmenopausal women with a high risk of bone fracture or who have failed or cannot use other osteoporosis therapies
• Men with certain types of osteoporosis and a high risk of bone fracture, or who have failed or cannot use other osteoporosis therapies
• Men and women with glucocorticoid-linked osteoporosis and a high risk of bone fracture, or who have failed or cannot use other osteoporosis therapy 

Dosage and administration

Both brand-name Forteo and generic teriparatide are available in self-injection pens. They are administered via once-daily subcutaneous injections and prescribed at the same dosage of 20 micrograms (mcg).

“The only potential differences I’ve seen have more to do with the delivery device,” says Barbara Sparacino, MD, a triple board-certified physician and founder of The Aging Parent Coach. “Some patients notice the pen feels different or takes a bit of getting used to.” 

Side effects

The brand-name and generic versions of Forteo cause the same side effects because they have the same active ingredient. Both brand-name and generic Forteo are administered subcutaneously, but Dr. Sparacino says she has not observed any difference in injection site reactions between these drugs.

The most frequently reported side effects of Forteo in clinical studies were:

• Joint pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness or weakness
• Nausea

This is not a complete list of potential side effects. It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional about the possible side effects of this drug before taking it for the first time.

Contraindications 

Brand-name and generic Forteo are contraindicated (should not be used) in people who have had an allergic reaction to Forteo or another teriparatide product. These drugs are also not recommended for people with high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia), as hypercalcemia is one of the serious side effects of teriparatide. Since hyperparathyroidism can cause hypercalcemia, both drugs are also contraindicated for people with this parathyroid condition.

To avoid drug interactions, it’s also important to tell your prescriber about any other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you take before using Forteo for the first time. 

How much does generic Forteo cost?

The retail price of teriparatide, or generic Forteo, is about $5,488 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen, while brand-name Forteo has an average retail price of $5,164 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen. 

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and some Medicaid policies, cover generic Forteo. However, coverage can vary dramatically from policy to policy.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, you can reduce the out-of-pocket cost of prescription osteoporosis treatment by using a SingleCare discount card or coupons at the pharmacy. For instance, a SingleCare coupon reduces the price of generic teriparatide to $1,415 per pen. 

Brand vs. generic Forteo prices
	Brand-name Forteo	Forteo generic (teriparatide)
Average cost without insurance*	$5,164 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen	$5,489 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen
SingleCare’s lowest price*	$4,198 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen of Forteo at Kroger or Harris Teeter	$1,415 per 1, 2.24 mL of 560 mcg/2.24 mL pen of teriparatide at Walgreens
Free coupons	Forteo coupons	Teriparatide coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of March 18, 2026. 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.

Is Forteo covered by insurance?

Plans vary in their coverage of brand-name Forteo and generic teriparatide. Out-of-pocket costs vary, and some plans will require prior authorization. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of brand-name Forteo, offers a Forteo Savings Card for people with commercial insurance. You can find out more about this program on the Forteo website. Medicare prescription plans vary by specific plan, and Medicaid plan coverage details vary by state. It’s best to check with your specific plan to find out if Forteo or generic teriparatide is covered, and what your out-of-pocket cost will be. If you are paying without insurance, you can read more about paying for Forteo without insurance here.

How do you get Forteo covered by insurance?

Your healthcare professional can send a prescription for Forteo to your preferred pharmacy. The pharmacy staff can process the prescription and tell you right away if the medicine is covered, and what your cost would be. If your insurance company requires prior authorization, your healthcare provider’s office would need to submit information to your insurance company explaining why you need the medication before your plan determines whether it will cover the prescription. If you would rather check your coverage ahead of time, you can contact your plan directly or check the most recent formulary online. 

Generic alternatives to Forteo

If you are interested in a generic alternative to Forteo, you can talk to your healthcare provider about generic teriparatide. You can also ask your healthcare provider about Bonsity. Bonsity is another teriparatide product, but it is not considered an exact generic equivalent of Forteo. There are other osteoporosis treatments that are available in generic form that you can discuss with your healthcare provider, such as:

• Fosamax (alendronate)
• Actonel (risedronate)
• Boniva (ibandronate)
• Evista (raloxifene)

How to switch from Forteo to teriparatide

Many healthcare providers offer patients the option of a generic Forteo prescription from the start. However, if you’re currently using brand-name Forteo and want to switch to generic, you can ask your prescriber about it. Switching should be straightforward because these drugs have the same active ingredients and are administered in the same way.

“There’s no need to titrate or adjust the dose when switching from brand-name Forteo to a generic teriparatide,” Dr. Sparacino says. “That said, I always recommend patients stay a little extra attentive during the first few days after a switch.”

In some cases, a healthcare provider might want you to use brand-name Forteo, such as if you’ve had a bad reaction to the generic drug. If your healthcare provider instructs you to stick with the brand-name drug, consult with them about the reasons so that you can weigh the benefits versus the risks of switching.

Expert takeaway

“Generic teriparatide works the same as Forteo and may cost less on your insurance plan,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical board. “Making the switch to generic is usually a smart and practical decision.”

Consult with your healthcare provider about making the switch, and always administer Forteo or teriparatide exactly as directed in the prescribing information.