Key takeaways
Metformin is a first-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
Metformin is typically covered by health insurance, but without insurance, a one-month supply can cost around $129.
The cost of metformin can be significantly reduced with a SingleCare savings card, comparing pharmacy prices, filling a 90-day prescription, or other strategies.
Metformin is a generic prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It’s often the first drug doctors use for Type 2 diabetes, and it’s likely to be combined with other diabetes medications when other diabetes drugs are needed. The price may vary based on what dosage form is prescribed, but expect a modest price tag, even without insurance. Here are a few tips to reduce the cost of metformin.
Save up to 80% on Metformin with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
How much does metformin cost without insurance?
Metformin is a commonly prescribed and relatively inexpensive generic drug. The metformin 500 mg price averages around $129 for 60 tablets, about $2 per tablet. Most people will take metformin for several years, if not a lifetime, so patients can expect to pay about $1,500 a year if they pay the full cash price. Health insurance will help reduce that cost, but the yearly out-of-pocket cost will depend on the insurance plan, copay, and deductible.
Metformin is the sole representative of a class of antidiabetic drugs called biguanides. It is also the first-line and one of the most inexpensive treatments for Type 2 diabetes. However, some generic versions of diabetes medications, such as glimepiride or glipizide, cost about as much as metformin, but healthcare professionals are unlikely to prescribe these drugs before metformin. They are more likely to prescribe these drugs in combination with metformin when metformin alone is not adequately controlling blood sugar. Over-the-counter medications and supplements are never effective substitutes for prescription diabetes medications.
Compare metformin prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings Options |
| Metformin | $129 for 60, 500 mg tablets | $5 for 60, 500 mg tablets of generic metformin at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Metformin ER | $64 for 90, 500 mg extended-release tablets | $4 for 90, 500 mg extended-release tablets of generic metformin ER at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Riomet (metformin oral liquid | $545 for 473 mL, 500 mg/5 mL liquid | $141 for 473 mL, 500 mg/5 mL liquid of generic Riomet at Walgreens | See latest prices |
| Glimepiride | $23 for 30, 2 mg tablets | $6 for 30, 2 mg tablets of generic glimepiride at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Glipizide | $46 for 180, 10 mg tablets | $17 for 180, 10 mg tablets of generic glipizide at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Glipizide/metformin | $80 for 60, 5–500 mg tablets | $22 for 60, 5–500 mg tablets of generic glipizide/metformin at Kroger | See latest prices |
RELATED: Metformin alternatives: What can I take instead of metformin?
Metformin costs by dose
Metformin comes in various strengths and dosage forms, including immediate-release (IR) tablets, extended-release (ER) tablets, and extended-release (ER) liquid. These different forms affect the price you pay. The chart below compares the prices by these variables.
Compare metformin prices by strength and dosage form |
|
|---|---|
| Strength | SingleCare price of generic |
| 500 mg IR tablets | $5 per 60 count at Kroger |
| 625 mg IR tablets | $675 per 60 count at CVS Pharmacy |
| 750 mg IR tablets | $815 per 60 count at CVS Pharmacy |
| 850 mg IR tablets | $5 per 60 count at Kroger |
| 1000 mg IR tablets | $4 per 60 count at Kroger |
| 500 mg ER tablets | $4 per 90 count at Walmart |
| 750 mg ER tablets | $13 per 90 count at Kroger |
| 500mg/5ml ER liquid | $141 per 473 mL bottle at Walgreens |
| See our lowest price for metformin without insurance | |
Is metformin covered by insurance?
Generic metformin and metformin ER are inexpensive first-line treatments for Type 2 diabetes. They are covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, and Medicaid.
How to get metformin without insurance
Metformin is a common and inexpensive prescription drug. Even so, budgeting for a monthly supply of any prescription drug can be difficult. Manufacturers of brand-name versions may have manufacturer coupons, savings programs, or patient assistance programs that can lower the cost of these expensive medicines, but generics typically don’t have similar savings programs. However, there are ways to lower the cost of metformin to roughly equal or less than common over-the-counter drugs.
1. Take advantage of a SingleCare discount
With a free coupon from SingleCare, a 30-day supply of metformin can cost as little as $5 for 60, 500 mg tablets at Kroger. All that’s required is to select a coupon based on price or local pharmacy on SingleCare’s metformin discount coupon page. The savings card can be printed, emailed, or sent to a smartphone and used right away to enjoy prescription discounts. SingleCare is free to use and available to everyone. Registered members can save even more, and it’s fast and free to join.
2. Ask the prescriber for a 90-day prescription
A 90-day supply of metformin, 180 tablets, is usually less expensive than three 30-day fills. Combined with a SingleCare discount card, a 90-day supply can be purchased for as little as $13 for 180, 500 mg tablets.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
Pharmaceutical companies often list their drugs at a specified retail price, but pharmacies frequently tack on additional charges. Even low-cost generic drugs can have significant price differences between pharmacies. Many pharmacies accept SingleCare coupons, saving even more on a prescription.
4. Consider Medicaid
Administered by both federal and state governments, Medicaid offers health insurance at a very low cost. Most people insured by a Medicaid plan will pay only a minimal amount for a metformin prescription. Check with your state’s Medicaid program to determine eligibility or to fill out an enrollment form.
5. Visit county or city health officials
Many people don’t realize that their communities and local governments may be able to help with healthcare costs. County and municipal health departments know about local resources, community health clinics, low-cost health insurance, and where to get lower-priced medications. They can help people determine eligibility for Medicaid and guide the enrollment process.
6. Ask the prescriber about combination metformin drugs
While there are many other generic antidiabetic medications, there is no cheaper or more appropriate prescription medication to replace metformin. However, many people with Type 2 diabetes will find themselves taking metformin along with a second antidiabetic drug, typically generic drugs like sulfonylureas, meglitinides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, or more expensive brand-name drugs. Many of these other diabetes drugs, including expensive brand-name drugs, are available as FDA-approved combination drugs, that is, they are mixed with metformin to be taken as a single tablet or capsule. Ask your healthcare provider if a combination drug, which may be less expensive than having to pay for two prescriptions, would be right for you.
RELATED: Diabetes coupons & discount diabetes resources
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The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Aug. 5, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Metformin, StatPearls (2023)
- Diabetes medication prescribing trends based on provider type and location in the United States, Preventive Medicine Reports (2024)
- 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.