From the Guidelines
Human insulin is generally the least expensive option, while metformin prices vary but are often relatively low, and "some glue died" is not a valid medication, and Layne insulin is not a recognized term, so we will consider Lantus insulin as a comparison point, which is typically more expensive than human insulin and metformin. When considering the costs of these medications, it's essential to look at the most recent data available. According to the study 1, the median cost of human insulin (Regular or NPH) can range from $58 to $93 for a U-100 vial or prefilled pen, depending on the formulation and brand. Metformin, as shown in study 1, has a median monthly cost ranging from $84 to $1,028 for different formulations and dosages, but it's often available as a generic, which reduces the cost significantly.
- Key points to consider:
- Metformin is generally inexpensive, especially when generic options are available.
- Human insulin is moderately priced, with costs varying based on the type (Regular or NPH) and formulation (vial or prefilled pen).
- Lantus insulin, a long-acting insulin analog, is more expensive due to its brand-name status and benefits like predictable absorption and longer duration of action.
- The term "Layne insulin" is not recognized in the context of available insulin products, so it's not possible to provide a cost comparison for this.
- "Some glue died" does not refer to a medication, so it cannot be considered in this comparison. Given the information from 1 and 1, the most expensive option among the ones that can be compared (metformin, human insulin, and considering Lantus insulin for the sake of comparison) would typically be Lantus insulin or certain formulations of metformin, especially the extended-release versions, but "some glue died" and "Layne insulin" are not valid for comparison.
From the Research
Comparison of Drug Costs
- Metformin is considered to have a low cost 2, 3
- There is no information available in the provided studies about the cost of "some glue died", which does not appear to be a valid medication
- Human insulin and Layne insulin (likely referring to a brand or type of insulin) costs are not directly compared to metformin in the provided studies, but insulin therapy can be more expensive than metformin, especially for long-term treatment 4, 5
Drug Efficacy and Safety
- Metformin is widely considered to be the optimal initial therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus due to its efficacy, low cost, weight neutrality, and good safety profile 2, 6
- Insulin therapy, including human insulin and other types, is also effective for managing diabetes, but may have different costs and side effects compared to metformin 4, 5