Jardiance

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on May 1, 2024

Jardiance is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed to lower blood sugar levels and certain risks in some people. Jardiance isn’t available in a generic version. The cost of Jardiance, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jardiance to:

• improve blood sugar levels in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes
• lower the chance of hospitalization and death due to heart failure in adults with the condition
• lower certain risks, such as worsening kidney function, hospitalization, and death in adults with chronic kidney disease
• lower the risk of death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease

Read on to learn about Jardiance and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Jardiance, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

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Cost of Jardiance

Like other medications, the cost of Jardiance can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity you’re prescribed

To find out how much Jardiance costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Jardiance” section.

Coupons for Jardiance

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Jardiance. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Jardiance

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Jardiance. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Jardiance. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Jardiance long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Jardiance is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.). Jardiance contains the active ingredient empagliflozin.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications. 

Common questions about Jardiance and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Jardiance.  

Does Jardiance 10 mg cost less than Jardiance 25 mg?

It’s possible. Jardiance is available as a 10-milligram (mg) tablet and a 25-mg tablet. The tablet strength you’re prescribed may affect the cost of the drug. This will depend on your insurance coverage and copay requirements if you have insurance.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for Jardiance, contact your insurance provider or ask someone at your pharmacy.

Is Jardiance covered by Medicare?

Medicare drug coverage depends on your exact Medicare drug plan. Each Medicare plan has its own drug list, which is also called a formulary. If Jardiance isn’t on your plan’s formulary, a different medication may be recommended.

If your drug plan does cover Jardiance, the cost may differ based on your Medicare plan and whether you’ve met your deductible for the year. Other factors that may affect your cost include whether you get a 90-day supply and which pharmacy you use.

If you’d like to know more about whether Jardiance is covered by Medicare, talk with your insurance provider, pharmacist, or doctor.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Jardiance

This article provides cost information related to Jardiance. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Jardiance.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• What are my options if I can’t afford Jardiance?
• Will my dosage of Jardiance affect the drug’s cost?
• Is Jardiance covered by my insurance?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Jardiance (empagliflozin tablets), for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/204629s040lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.