From the Guidelines
Sulfonylureas like glipizide or glimepiride are among the most affordable options to add to metformin for diabetes management, typically costing $4-10 per month at many pharmacies. According to the most recent evidence from 1, the median monthly cost of glipizide is $75, and glimepiride is $71. In comparison, the median monthly cost of Jardiance (empagliflozin) is $558. Other options like DPP-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin (Januvia) may be moderately priced with manufacturer discount programs. GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide have generic versions available, but they are still more expensive than sulfonylureas. Another SGLT2 inhibitor option is dapagliflozin (Farxiga), which might be cheaper depending on your insurance. Pioglitazone, an older medication, is also very affordable but has some side effect concerns.
- The best choice depends on your specific health needs, kidney function, heart health, and weight management goals.
- Patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies can significantly reduce costs for brand-name medications.
- Discuss these options with your healthcare provider to determine which alternative would be most appropriate and cost-effective for your specific situation while maintaining good blood sugar control, as recommended by 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
JARDIANCE has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, sulfonylurea, pioglitazone, linagliptin, and insulin. Add-On Combination Therapy with Metformin A total of 637 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JARDIANCE in combination with metformin
The FDA drug label does not answer the question about cheaper options for diabetes medications to add to metformin.
From the Research
Alternatives to Jardiance for Diabetes Management
When considering alternatives to Jardiance (empagliflozin) for adding to metformin in diabetes management, several options are available:
- DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin, have been shown to improve glycemic control when added to metformin therapy 2
- SGLT2 inhibitors, like empagliflozin, can be used in combination with metformin, but other SGLT2 inhibitors may offer similar efficacy at a lower cost
- GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have been found to provide superior reductions in HbA1c and body weight compared to empagliflozin when added to metformin monotherapy 3
Combination Therapies
Combination therapies, such as metformin, sitagliptin, and empagliflozin, have been shown to be effective in achieving glycemic target goals and improving metabolic function 4
- The combination of a DPP-4 inhibitor and an SGLT2 inhibitor may offer complementary benefits in addressing multiple facets of type 2 diabetes 5
Considerations for Selecting Alternative Therapies
When selecting an alternative therapy to Jardiance, consider the following factors:
- Efficacy in improving glycemic control and reducing body weight
- Safety profile and potential for adverse events
- Cost and accessibility of the medication
- Individual patient characteristics, such as age, comorbidities, and medication adherence 6