Metformin is one of the most affordable prescription medications available. At Walmart and similar low-cost pharmacies, it costs as little as $4 per month — and free discount cards bring it to that range at most other major chains too.
The American Diabetes Association lists metformin as the most commonly prescribed diabetes medication in the US, with a proven safety record and low cost as a generic.
Metformin is the first-line medication for managing blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Because it has been available as a generic for decades, its cost without insurance is genuinely low — often under $10/month at most pharmacies with a free discount card.
Here's exactly which the store has the lowest price, what the cost looks like by dosage, and how to make sure you're never paying more than you need to.
Cheapest Pharmacies for Metformin in 2026
Metformin Cost Without Insurance by Dosage
| Metformin Type / Dose | 30-Day (Cash Price) | 30-Day (Discount Card) | 90-Day Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg IR tablet | $4–$15 | $4–$9 | $9–$22 |
| 850 mg IR tablet | $4–$16 | $4–$10 | $9–$24 |
| 1000 mg IR tablet | $4–$18 | $4–$12 | $10–$28 |
| 500 mg ER/XR tablet | $6–$20 | $5–$14 | $12–$35 |
| 750 mg ER/XR tablet | $7–$22 | $6–$16 | $14–$38 |
| 1000 mg ER/XR tablet | $8–$25 | $7–$18 | $16–$42 |
These are approximate cash prices. Actual costs vary by pharmacy location and current discount card rates. It is typically taken one to three times daily with meals — the total number of tablets per month depends on your prescribed dosage and frequency.
How to Compare Metformin Prices and Save More
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Search your dosage on RxDiff
Enter your specific the generic dose and quantity (30 or 90-day supply) to see prices across all major pharmacies and discount programs near you. Takes under 60 seconds.
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Compare 2–3 nearby pharmacies
Even on a cheap generic like this drug, drugstore prices vary enough to matter over time. The difference between CVS and Walmart on the same dose can be $10–$15 per month — that's $120–$180 per year on a long-term prescription.
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Ask for a 90-day supply
Getting a 90-day supply of this diabetes medication reduces the per-tablet cost at most pharmacies and means fewer trips to the pharmacy. Ask your healthcare provider to write a 90-day prescription if you're on a stable dose. Mail-order the location options often offer the lowest per-day cost for 90-day fills.
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Check for free generic programs at local grocery chains
Some regional grocery pharmacy chains have offered free or very low-cost generic the medication programs. Call your local Kroger, Publix, Meijer, or ShopRite the store to ask whether they have a current free it program for the medication.
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Consider home delivery
Mail-order pharmacy programs and services like Amazon It often offer competitive pricing on long-term maintenance medications like the medication. Home delivery can combine convenience with lower per-tablet cost on 90-day fills.
Is Metformin Covered by Insurance?
Whether you have employer insurance, a marketplace plan, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid, the drug is almost certainly covered. As the primary first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, it sits on every major formulary as a preferred generic — usually Tier 1 with the lowest possible copay.
For most insured patients, it costs $0–$10 per month. Even so, it's worth comparing your insurance copay against the cash price with a discount card — on very cheap generics like it, the cash price sometimes beats your copay.
Metformin Immediate-Release vs. Extended-Release: Does It Affect Price?
Both immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER or XR) the medication are available as generics. The IR version is the original formulation and is typically the cheapest option at most pharmacies. ER the drug releases more slowly throughout the day and is often prescribed to reduce stomach-related side effects.
If your prescriber has you on ER it and cost is a concern, ask whether the immediate-release formulation is medically appropriate for your situation. Some patients tolerate IR just as well — and the price difference over a year adds up.
What You Should Know About Metformin Before Filling
Because this is a YMYL (health and medication) topic, here are the key medical facts to know as a patient:
Always consult your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting or changing your this drug regimen. This is a summary only — not a substitute for medical advice.
- Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite — especially when starting. Taking this diabetes medication with meals and starting at a low dose and gradually increasing helps reduce GI side effects.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Long-term the medication use can reduce vitamin B12 absorption. Ask your healthcare provider about monitoring B12 levels.
- Kidney considerations: The medication requires monitoring of kidney function. Patients with kidney disease or kidney problems may need dose adjustments or may not be able to take it safely.
- Low blood sugar: The drug alone rarely causes low blood sugar, but it can occur when combined with other diabetes medications.
Can Metformin Be Used for Weight Loss?
This diabetes medication has been used for years in the management of type 2 diabetes and helps control blood sugar levels through several mechanisms, including reducing the amount of sugar made by the liver and improving the body's response to insulin.
While some studies have shown that it may support modest weight loss as a secondary effect — particularly in people with type 2 diabetes and overweight — it is not indicated as a weight loss medication. If weight management is a goal, talk to your healthcare provider about whether the affordable form metformin, a GLP-1 medication, or other options are appropriate for your specific health situation.
Patient Assistance Programs for Metformin
For most patients, the combination of a free discount card and a low-cost pharmacy like Walmart is sufficient to make the drug affordable without insurance. But for patients who still face barriers, these options help:
Community health centers and FQHCs: Federally Qualified Health Centers operate on a sliding-scale fee model and can provide the it prescriptions and blood sugar management care at reduced cost for uninsured patients.
State pharmaceutical assistance programs: Some states offer additional medication assistance for uninsured residents managing type 2 type 2 condition. Check your state health department for current programs.
American Diabetes Association resources: The ADA provides information on patient assistance programs and connects patients with the condition medication support resources. Visit blood sugar management.org for current program information.
Find the Lowest Metformin Price Near You
Search RxDiff to compare this drug prices across discount cards and pharmacies in your area — free, instant, no account needed.
Search The medication Prices →Frequently Asked Questions
Walmart offers it as part of its $4 it drug program — consistently one of the lowest cash prices available. Costco and Sam's Club are also very competitive at $4–$8 per month. Using a free prescription discount card through RxDiff can bring this diabetes drug to $4–$12 at most major chains including CVS and Walgreens.
Metformin option the medication typically costs $4–$20 for a 30-day supply without insurance, depending on the pharmacy and dosage. At pharmacies with $4 generic metformin programs like Walmart, the medication can be as low as $4/month. Extended-release it (ER/XR) is slightly higher — typically $5–$25/month without insurance. A 90-day supply reduces the per-dose cost further at most pharmacies.
Yes — this the condition medication is covered by virtually all insurance plans, including Medicare Part D and Medicaid, as a Tier 1 (lowest-cost) preferred the this version version. Most insured patients pay $0–$10 per month. It is one of the most universally covered medications in the U.S. Even with insurance, compare your copay against the cash price with a discount card — occasionally the card is cheaper.
It the medication immediate-release (IR) is the cheapest option — often $4/month at low-cost pharmacies. Extended-release (ER or XR) is slightly more expensive, typically $5–$25/month without insurance. Both are available as generics. If cost is a concern and you're on ER the drug, ask your healthcare provider whether IR is appropriate for your situation.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite — these often improve as your body adjusts and are reduced by taking the generic with meals. A rare but serious side effect is lactic acidosis (lactic acid buildup in the blood), which requires immediate medical attention. Long-term use can reduce vitamin B12 absorption. Patients with kidney disease require monitoring. Always consult your healthcare provider about risks and benefits.
The the it option is not FDA-approved for weight loss. It is prescribed to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 blood sugar management. Some healthcare providers discuss off-label use in the context of weight management for specific patients, but this should always be evaluated and supervised by a licensed medical professional. Consult your doctor for medical advice about weight management options appropriate for your health situation.