Metformin Coupons & Prices

Looking for a metformin coupon? Metformin is the low-cost generic form of Glucophage and the most widely prescribed first-line medicine for type 2 diabetes. Because it is already generic, cash prices are usually inexpensive, but the exact price can vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares metformin prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find today's best price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see the current price and pull up a free coupon you can show at the counter.

What is metformin and how does it work?

Metformin (metformin hydrochloride) is a biguanide antidiabetic medicine. It is FDA-approved, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control in adults and in children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes; the extended-release forms are approved for adults. It is considered the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. Metformin works mainly by lowering the amount of sugar your liver makes and by helping your body respond better to its own insulin. On its own, it carries a low risk of causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Metformin was originally sold under brand names such as Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Glumetza, Riomet, and Riomet ER. Most of those brand versions are now discontinued in the US, but generic metformin is widely available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms.

How much does metformin cost without insurance?

Metformin is a generic, so it is usually one of the more affordable prescriptions, even if you are paying cash without insurance. That said, the price is not the same everywhere. The cash price for the exact same tablets can differ widely between two pharmacies in the same town, which is why comparing before you fill matters. A metformin coupon from Rx.com can bring the cash price down below the standard retail price at many pharmacies.

Rx.com checks metformin prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies to surface the lowest price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and generate a free coupon. Prices update live on this page, so what you see is current for your area.

Metformin alternatives and related diabetes medications

Metformin is often the starting point for type 2 diabetes, and many people take it alone or alongside other medicines. If you are comparing options, the brand equivalent is Glucophage, and the extended-release generic is metformin ER. Other diabetes medicines your provider may consider include the sulfonylureas glipizide and glimepiride, the DPP-4 inhibitor Januvia (and its ingredient sitagliptin), the SGLT2 inhibitor Jardiance, and the GLP-1 medicine Ozempic.

These medicines work in different ways and are not interchangeable. Only your prescriber can decide which is right for you. You can look up any of them on Rx.com to compare pharmacy prices and pull a coupon.

Metformin safety and side effects

The most common side effects of metformin are digestive: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort, reported in up to about 30% of patients. These often ease over time or with the extended-release form and by taking it with food. With long-term use, metformin can lower vitamin B12 levels, so providers may check B12 periodically.

Metformin carries a boxed warning for a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Warning signs can be subtle, such as feeling generally unwell, muscle aches, trouble breathing, unusual sleepiness, or stomach pain. Risk is higher with kidney or liver problems, age over 65, heavy alcohol use, and around imaging tests that use iodinated contrast or surgery. Metformin should not be used if you have severe kidney impairment (eGFR below 30), and it is often paused around contrast imaging. This is general information, not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your own health before starting, stopping, or changing metformin.