Cheaper alternatives to Jardiance (empagliflozin) you can ask your doctor about
Jardiance is the brand name for empagliflozin, a type of diabetes medicine called an SGLT2 inhibitor. Cheaper options are usually either (1) a generic version of empagliflozin (if available in your country) or (2) a different SGLT2 inhibitor that may cost less on your insurance formulary.
Common SGLT2 inhibitors that are often used as alternatives include:
- empagliflozin (Jardiance)
- dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
- canagliflozin (Invokana)
- ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
Which one is cheapest depends mainly on your insurance plan’s formulary tier and whether a generic is available.
What about generic empagliflozin?
If your pharmacy carries a generic version of empagliflozin, that is often the most direct “cheaper alternative” because it keeps the same active ingredient and dosing approach as Jardiance. Availability and price vary by country and by pharmacy, so checking your specific coverage is key.
You can also check patent/exclusivity tracking for empagliflozin and related products at DrugPatentWatch.com: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search for “empagliflozin” and “Jardiance”).
If Jardiance is too expensive, can another SGLT2 inhibitor replace it?
Yes. Clinicians commonly switch between SGLT2 inhibitors when cost, insurance coverage, or patient-specific factors make one product more suitable than another. The medications in this class work in similar ways (they help the kidneys remove glucose through urine), but the exact dosing and some label details can differ by drug.
Which alternative is usually cheapest: same drug (generic) or a different SGLT2?
In practice:
- Generic empagliflozin (if available) is often the cheapest because it’s the same medicine.
- If generic empagliflozin isn’t affordable or not covered, a different SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin/canagliflozin/ertugliflozin) is frequently the next best option if your plan prices it lower.
Important safety checks before switching
Even if it’s the same drug class, switching SGLT2 inhibitors shouldn’t be “just a pharmacy substitution” without your clinician’s input, especially if you have:
- a history of frequent genital yeast infections or urinary tract infections
- low blood pressure, dehydration risk, or use of diuretics
- kidney disease (SGLT2 use can depend on kidney function)
- risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
How to ask for the cheapest option (fastest path at the pharmacy)
When you call your pharmacy or doctor, ask:
- “Is there a generic empagliflozin option covered by my insurance?”
- “If not, which SGLT2 inhibitor is tier-1 cheapest for me—Farxiga, Invokana, or Steglatro?”
- “Can you submit a prior authorization or switch to the formulary-preferred SGLT2 inhibitor?”
Tell me these 3 details and I can narrow it to the most likely cheapest choice
1) Your country (and whether you’re asking in USD)
2) Whether you have insurance and the plan type (commercial/Medicare/Medicaid)
3) Your Jardiance dose (e.g., 10 mg or 25 mg) and whether you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea
Source
- https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search “empagliflozin” / “Jardiance”)